Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 3, 2020 REVIEW | FROM PAGE 10 and Washington Streets. A tribute to Malden native Norman Greenbaum and his 1969 hit song, “Spirit in the Sky,” the mural shows a hand tossing up a rainbow banner surrounded by musical notes. Last month, ARTLine celebrated a third mural at Malden High designed by Malden native Frank Stella, one of the most influential figures in Modern American art. Stella’s mural lights up a corner of the city with interacting colors, line and shapes. Project organizers have said repeatedly that they are just getting started, and they plan to bring more murals, sculptures and community hubs to spots along the Northern Strand Community Trail to create the city’s ARTLine. They are grateful for the support they’ve received from Malden and the city’s recognition of public art’s value to the community. “We need art,” said board member Candace Julyan. “Art is what brings people together.” Parks and Rec There was good and bad news about city parks in 2019, and a rush of revitalization plans and new proposals for park projects in 2020. Shortly after the election and just before Thanksgiving, city officials presented the final version of the $2.7 million Roosevelt Park Improvement Project with a synthetic turf field. As a compromise with the Salemwood School Community, neighbors and other residents who opposed the artificial turf over health, safety and environmental concerns, the city agreed the field would be built with organic infill, instead of the more common crumb rubber fill. In December, the Malden Redevelopment Authority (MRA), which is overseeing the project, notified Salemwood School families and neighbors that high levels of lead were found in soil at Roosevelt Park within 12 inches of the ground surface. The outdoor classroom and the infield of the softball field nearest to the school’s field house A mural designed by Malden native Frank Stella, a major player in the development of modern American art, is the latest addition to Malden’s ARTLine. were cited as areas that present a public health risk. The city fenced off the area and announced it will remain closed until the planned renovation of the park is complete. Some in the Salemwood community noted that students have been playing in the contaminated area since the school opened 20 years ago. They feel excavating the site and restoring it with a natural grass field is the safest and most environmentally sound solution to a longstanding environmental injustice. But those who support the artificial turf, including sports organizations that hope it will increase available field time, have said the safest solution is to dig out several feet of contaminated soil and seal any remaining lead under the synthetic grass. Over in Ward 6, the news about Trafton Park was better. In 2018, Councillor-at-Large Stephen Winslow and Ward 6 Councillor David Camell worked with MRA staff and residents in Ward 6 to develop a comprehensive plan for improvements to Trafton Park. In October of this year, the MRA announced it had won a $400,000 state grant to begin Phase 1 of the project, which includes new playground equipment, fencing, trees, benches, a picnic area, new dugouts, a walkway connecting the playground to the park entrances, improvements to the turf on the outfield and a new surface and benches for the dog park. The MRA and the Ward 6 Association have applied for $500,000 to complete Phase 1 of the Trafton Park revitalization project. Trafton Park’s success story triggered a slew of proposals for other park projects and applications for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. Several projects are starting with planning and design. The Ward 7 Association has asked for $50,000 in CPA funding to develop a comprehensive improvement plan for Kierstead Park, and Jenelle DeVits has asked for $90,000 to develop a master plan for improvements at Devir Park. Kirby Ledvina and the Ward 4 Association have applied for $44,275 in CPA funding to develop a stormwater management system and a master improvement plan for Coytemore Lea park. New fences, landscaping and design work for Patchell Park have been proposed by the Friends of Oak Grove, Inc. (FOOGI), who have asked for $22,000 in CPA money. The Friends of Amerige Park have requested $195,000 in CPA funds for improvements to the park’s tennis courts, updates in fencing benches, signs and the installation of a water foundation. Marijuana in Malden One of the more surprising stories this year has been the community’s pushback against retail marijuana. With zoning regulations and a city ordinance in place, the Malden Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission screened eight applicants for the city’s five available retail cannabis licenses. The commission voted to allow four of the eight to move forward and hold a community outreach meeting, the second step in the city’s fivestep licensing process. During several of those meetMembers of the Salemwood School community protest the city’s decision to move forward with plans for a synthetic turf field at Roosevelt Park. ings, neighbors and members of the community expressed their concerns about the proposed businesses. Some residents objected to locating the dispensaries in densely populated neighborhoods. Others expressed fears that the retail businesses would lead to public use and the increased availability of marijuana to minors. Still others were concerned about a drop in property values, traffic and parking. Mayor Gary Christenson was feted by supporters at a victory party at Anthony’s on Canal Street following his overwhelming victory over challenger Ward 3 Councillor John Matheson. Christenson congratulated his campaign staff on a tremendous victory with hard work and thanked the many voters in attendance for their support. Malden Redevelopment Authority Community Development Director Alex Pratt, Councillor-at-Large Steve Winslow, Ward 6 Councillor David Camell and state Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Kathleen Theoharides celebrate the $400,000 state grant to support the revitalization of Trafton Park. Residents launched an online petition that calls on the Malden Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission to deny a license to Misty Mountain Shop for a retail marijuana dispensary on Commercial Street. Among the four applicants who now head to the City Council to apply for a special permit, only Standard Naturals, which has proposed a dispensary next to Kappy’s on Route 1, has the general community’s tepid support. Proponents of new cannabis industry have said the community’s fears are unfounded. They stress the businesses will bring a significant stream of new revenue to the city and job opportunities to residents. And they repeatedly point out that a majority of Malden voters, 52 percent, voted in favor of a 2016 ballot question that legalized the recreational use and retail sale of marijuana. At a recent community outreach meeting for Craft Cultivation, which has proposed a cultivation, manufacturing and retail business at 1130 Eastern Ave., Malden Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission Member Jenelle DeVits explained that because Malden voted in favor of recreational and retail marijuana the city is obligated to offer at least five retail licenses, or 20 percent of the city’s liquor licenses. But former City Councillor Neil Kinnon pointed out that there are no time frames or deadlines for the city to meet in issuing those five licenses. Kinnon also said that the density of the retail marijuana business in the city is a concern and suggested that density of any product, whether it’s alcohol, cigarettes, vaping products or marijuana, will lead to increased use.
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