Sacramento Field Improvements

Project completed in 2018.  

December 5, 2017

• We expect that the park will start to look finished by late fall 2017, with sod going in and trees planted. However, we do not plan to open the park until the sod has had a season to get established, and we expect the park to open near the beginning of summer 2018.

June 5, 2017

• Crews have completed the underground electrical conduit and light pole bases at the field.  The fence installation is complete, and the new water service has also been installed.  We expect crews to plant new trees at the site in the next few weeks.

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May 15, 2017

• Crews will continue with site demolition this week.

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May 8, 2017

• The City's contractor has mobilized to Sacramento Field.  Crews will be working in the community garden area this week, establishing the temporary fencing.

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The city's contractor is expected to begin park improvements during the week of May 8.  We expect the work to be complete in the fall 2017.

Please check back for updates.

We expect that the park will start to look finished by late fall 2017, with sod going in and trees planted. However, we do not plan to open the park until the sod has had a season to get established, and we expect the park to open near the beginning of summer 2018. Please check the "Updates" tab for the most up-to-date information.

Please check back for updates.

The City of Cambridge is planning a comprehensive renovation of Sacramento Field, which is an approximately 1.2 acre neighborhood park located off Sacramento Street (between Massachusetts Avenue and Oxford Street).

New features include:

• Two Park Entrances: To create two entrances to the park that are visible, accessible, safe and well-identified by park signage providing a convenient way for the neighborhood to access the park.
• StaLok path:  Crews will install a circular path around the field made from StaLok; a natural paving material that meets ADA compliance.
• Open Space: To preserve the openness of the field to support a variety of active and passive activities. Staff met with Cambridge Youth Soccer (CYS) leadership on multiple occasions to understand space needs for both games and informal soccer practice. The design concept will be able to meet youth soccer field space needs as confirmed by CYS leadership.
• Enclosed Tot Lot and Entrance Gates: Commitment to include a 20 x 40 ft. enclosed flat toddler play area to accommodate younger children that includes seating, a sand play area and an additional infant and toddler play structure that includes a slide, cleated toddler incline, toddler stairs, steering wheel, mirrored panel, and deck with covering. Additional commitment to add gates upon entry to the field at both park entrances.
• Nature-based Play Area: To include a reimagined natural-based play area that achieves a less artificial look. The design will be able to accommodate winter sledding.
• Sitting areas and other Park Amenities: To provides amenities that currently do not exist including seating and tables, bike parking, message board, historical marker, benches, and a water fountain.
• Commitments to Sacramento Community Garden: The square footage loss from the community garden for the new path will be replaced with an equivalent amount of area at the back of the garden. Selective tree pruning management over a period of several years will be undertaken by the City Arborist, including removal of the mulberry tree. In addition, there will be new garden fencing and gates, water spigot, message board, and raised planter beds. Sequencing of improvements will be carefully worked out in advance with gardeners.
• Landscaping Improvements: To incorporate landscaping improvements with native tree plantings as well as buffer planting of shrubs and vines to visually soften the edges, create shade, attract birds, and give more privacy to abutters
• Multi-Use Hard Surface Ball Court: To resurface and re-line the court, replace the timber retaining wall with masonry wall, and fencing.
• Off-Leash Shared Use Hours: To pilot off-leash hours that will allow for dogs to be off leash during designated morning hours (dogs and owners must be in compliance with the City’s off-leash regulations).
• Drainage and Storm Water Management Improvements: The City will ensure that when the field is redone, it will have grades that better cooperate with the catch basins, e.g. a crown in the center of the field to take water to basins better. In addition, DPW has renewed a commitment to maintain the nine catch basins on a regular schedule.

For more background on the project, please visit the Community Development's webpage.

• sacramentofieldupdateapril2017
• sacramentofielddesignconcept

Kate Riley

Project Administrator- Community Relations

Phone: 617-349-4870

Email: kriley@cambridgema.gov