Nearly 40 years in the making, the Newburyport Market Landing Park Expansion Project officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 17. Attendees included Mayor Sean Reardon, U.S. Representative Seth Moulton, and most of the City Council, who celebrated the $6 million project’s completion.
Designed to preserve Newburyport’s historic waterfront, the project transformed river-facing parking lots on the east and west sides of the park into new green spaces. It also introduced a shared-use path linking the Clipper City Rail Trail to the Central Waterfront Park. Enhanced social areas were created with added features like trellis swings, Adirondack chairs, hammocks, and benches, funded by local charity foundations.
VHB played a crucial role in the project’s success. Our team collaborated with the City of Newburyport to develop the park expansion plan. Senior Regulatory and Resilience Advisor Stephanie Kruel formulated a flood resilience strategy for the park, built primarily on filled tidelands. She coordinated with stakeholders to outline a permitting strategy, tackling timelines, responsibilities, and potential obstacles. Stephanie led the environmental review under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and secured permits and licenses under the Wetlands Protection Act, the Newburyport Wetlands Ordinance, and the Massachusetts Public Waterfront Act (Chapter 91).
Further, VHB conducted essential site surveying and investigations. Craig Robertson, Senior Geomatics Project Manager, provided an extensive base land survey. Katie Kudzma, Director of Site Investigations and Remediation, handled construction documentation and administration.
The project succeeded through collaboration between VHB, key partners like Sasaki Associates, Inc., and Onyx Corporation, and multiple internal VHB teams. Market Landing Park has long been a vital part of Newburyport’s historic waterfront on the Merrimack River, fostering community spirit. This project exemplifies VHB's dedication to partnering with state and local governments to revitalize and connect communities, promoting economic growth.
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