Work has begun on a visitor-friendly “pocket park” at the entrance to the residents’ commuter lot.
Construction has begun on a small outdoor welcome center in South Lincoln next to the entrance to the resident commuter rail lot, and officials are seeking more input on the area through an online survey.
The “pocket park” is one of the projects suggested by the South Lincoln Planning and Implementation Committee (SLPIC) to revitalize the area near the train station/mall and make it more welcoming to visitors and pedestrians. When complete, the park will have a welcome kiosk with maps, a bike repair system, bike racks and a granite bench donated by the DPW.
After the pocket park/welcome center is completed, a wayfinding system will be installed that will lead pedestrians and cyclists from there to Drumlin Farm, with stops along the way at Codman Farm and Codman Estates. Future funding will allow the town to expand this system and complete Phase II of the pocket park/welcome center, which will include pavers to replace stone dust as well as a a trail connection to Codman Farm.
An image of the signs that will be installed in South Lincoln.
As it thinks about ways to encourage a vibrant, mixed use, pedestrian-oriented village center in South Lincoln, SLPIC is asking residents to offer their opinions about various design options. This survey includes summaries and questions on a series of images of things like business frontage, housing and business architecture, bike and pedestrian routes, signage, and more. The deadline for participating in the survey is Sunday, Sept. 30.
Part of SLPIC’s work includes developing a proposed zoning bylaw amendment to encourage mixed-use, transit-oriented development that can accommodate a variety of housing choices. The group is also conducting a feasibility study of the town-owed Department of Public Works site on Lewis Street for look at opportunities to consolidate public works functions that could free up some or all of the four-acre site for a potential housing development.
With the help of state grants, the town has already completed improvements to some sidewalks and roadside paths and installed a new pedestrian island on Route 126 at Lincoln Road. The town is hoping for more funding to make several improvements to the train stops on either side of Lincoln Road.