Something For Everyone

Ipswich River Park is a 49 acre site at the junction of Haverhill, Central and Chestnut Streets in North Reading, Massachusetts. The property was taken by eminent domain and settled for a price of $1,450,000. In 1994 and 1995 the Town applied for and received a total of $1,000,000 in development grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and from the Urban Self-Help Program. Another $25,000 was received as a canoe launch grant from the Public Access Board. By accepting these grants, The Town matched $724,000. Half of the matching funds needed were supported through the Hillview Enterprise Fund and the balance through fund-raising. Fund-raising has been spearheaded by the Land Utilization Committee. It has been a town-wide effort with enthusiastic support from local businesses, leagues, the Recreation Committee, and private citizens.

This massive project was originated from an idea brought forth by the original Hillview Commission in 1992. The Land Utilization Committee and the Hillview Commission are charged with investigation and channeling of excess funds into open space projects. This project fulfills that charge and goal.

Completed features include conservation area and restored wetlands, a paved two-mile walking path, parking areas, a canoe launch, wild flower meadows, gazebo and flagpole, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds and picnic areas, softball, baseball, soccer and all-purpose fields, a street hockey rink, and horseshoe pits. Long and short range fund-raising goals are to add some of the following: volleyball courts, bike trails, more trees and benches, picnic tables, and walking trails that lead to the center of North Reading. The adjacent five-acre Wheeler property was added to the property in 1998.

This $3.2 million facility is a one-of-a-kind treasure. Planning and building Ipswich River Park has been truly a community project. Established for active and passive recreation, this park is dedicated to all North Reading citizens-past, present, and future-and promises to hold "something for everyone."

Land Utilization Questionnaire

PHASE 2 QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear Citizen of North Reading ,

On December 2, 1997 , the town of North Reading successfully purchased the piece of property formerly known as the Wheeler Farm. This property was acquired through the use of funds from the Hillview Commission and therefore can only be used for recreation and/or preservation of the water aquifer. The Land Utilization Committee would like to continue in its role as stewards of the property by seeing that it gets used to its fullest potential. The LUC believes that the construction of a Community Center will best provide the kind of services people want in a public facility like Ipswich River Park .

The Committee intends to make this a financially independent facility, relying in no part on town tax revenue. This will be possible through a combination of state and federal grants, corporate and private donations, and miscellaneous fund raising activities. Membership fees will be collected and are expected to generate the funds needed to cover the day-to-day expenses.

In keeping with the theme, “Something for Everyone,” we would like to get feed­back from as many North Reading residents as possible. The Questionnaire lists some of the features offered by other towns’ community centers. The LUC and the Recreation Committee feel these all have their merits, but realize that budgets are limited, and priorities have to be set. You can help us set those priorities by completing the questionnaire and sending it back to us at the address at the bottom of the page. 

You may print the questionnaire in one your preferred format:

Print questionnaire as a web page

Print questionnaire as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file

Print questionnaire as a Microsoft Word file 

I.R.P. Facility Rentals Available

Please call the Parks & Recreation Department
to schedule the rental of any of the following facilities.

Directions

Ipswich River Park is located on Central Street in North Reading

Directions from Rt. 128:
Take Rt. 28 Exit, Reading
Follow Rt. 28 into North Reading
Turn Right onto Rt. 62 (Kitty's Restaurant)
Turn Right onto Central Street
The Park is on the left

Contact Us:

Parks & Recreation Department:
235 North Street,
North Reading, MA 01864
(978) 664-6016
parkpermits@northreadingma.gov

Link to Our Convenient On-line Form to order Bricks or make Donations.