Page 12 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 14, 2025 Main Street Meadow: Transforming a heat island into a thriving oasis for wildlife and community in Everett Special to The Advocate M ayor Carlo DeMaria recently announced the revitalization of a long vacant parcel along Everett’s Main Street. The parcel, named Main Street Meadow, will become a neighborhood park next to the Sweetser Circle/ Route 16 Rotary. This project was designed to mitigate one of the city’s hottest areas and create native habitats for birds, butterflies and bees while providing the public with a cool shade area to observe wildlife. The Main Street Meadow project will include the installation of sidewalks, crosswalks, seating areas and wayfinding to enhance accessibility. There will be trees, pollinator plants, wildflowers and sensory gardens, and in addition, a gazebo, drinking fountain, trash receptacle and information kiosk. To date, accessible sidewalks have been installed, along with two art murals created by Everett artist Jay Lapo. The sidewalks include a concrete pad for a gazebo, which is expected to be installed in the spring of 2025. Thanks to a partnership with the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), the City was able to match funds for tree planting courtesy of the US Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. This co-sponsorship allowed the City to plant 15 of the 30 trees at Main Street Meadow, and the remaining trees were planted at Seven Acre Park, another once underutilized and unshaded City-owned parcel. The trees help absorb stormwater runoff from the adjacent heavily trafficked rotary and increase tree canopy. Only native trees were planted, including juniper, columnar oak, lilac, and sweetgum. The trees help to sequester carbon, improve air quality and absorb nutrients while creating a natural barrier to reduce noise pollution. Continuously amending the soil is an integral part of the project, creating a healthier soil biome for the effective and safe cultivation of native plants. Tree planting and soil A group of participants at Main Street Meadow during one of the City’s Earth Day events. (Photos courtesy of the City of Everett) restoration also help to meet the City’s goals of increasing previous surfaces and native habitats and creating cooling areas within the city. This past summer, the City worked with MyRWA on their Urban Forestry Project, collaborating with a cohort of local youth ambassadors to engage Everett youth about planting and care. This partnership allowed the City to regularly meet and work with youth ambassadors to engage with neighbors surrounding 66 Main Street. TRANSFORMING | SEE PAGE 24 Community members tending to the garden at Main Street Meadow. A rendering of the Main Street Meadow project when it is completed.
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