(BOSTON 12/9/2024) – Last week, the Massachusetts Office of Disability announced it had awarded almost $5 million in grants to 59 municipalities across the Commonwealth through the FY25 Municipal ADA Improvement Grant. Included amongst the recipients is Edgemere Park in Shrewsbury, which is slated to receive $58,000 to fund accessibility improvements.

Edgemere Park, located near Lake Quinsigamond in the Edgemere neighborhood of Shrewsbury, will receive an updated parking lot, a new walking path, and more accessible benches near the basketball court and baseball field with the funds allotted though the grant program. These improvements will allow those who are differently abled to better enjoy the park.

“I am so excited to hear that the Healey Administration will be helping to fund accessibility improvement projects at Edgemere Park in Shrewsbury,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “Public spaces where people can gather with friends and enjoy the outdoors should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of mobility. I’d like to thank the Governor and the Office on Disability for making these dollars available to help the Commonwealth become a more accessible place.”

“I am thrilled that Shrewsbury was awarded $58,000 through the Municipal ADA Improvement Grant program. These funds will allow Shrewsbury to improve accessibility at Edgemere Park, so that people with disabilities can enjoy spending time outside and participating in activities at the park,” said Representative Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury). “I thank the Administration for supporting Shrewsbury, and look forward to the completion of the accessibility improvements.”

The Municipal ADA Improvement Grant program is designed to help cities and towns plan and build accessibility improvement projects for people with disabilities. According to the Massachusetts Office on Disability, the FY25 cycle of this grant program represented the largest number of applications since the program was created 9 years ago, with “140 total applications, representing 36 planning grants and 104 project grants and a total requested amount of $15,276,866.28.” To accommodate for the greater interest in the program, its budget was increased from $4 million in FY24 to $5 million for FY25.

More information on the Municipal ADA Improvement Grant program can be found online here.

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