WCAC

 

A constructive meeting of roughly 50 neighbors Tuesday allowed some to offer feedback about problems created by the wildly popular recreation amenities at 200 Trapelo.

Because the current parking supply is inadequate, visitors ended up parking on side streets, upsetting neighbors. 

 

The neighborhood meeting in the park’s Memorial Area revealed that the situation has improved after some quick fixes, but some short-term and long-term concerns linger.

“Headache of the Year”

Families have given rave reviews to the oversize playground and free 18-hole mini golf at 200 Trapelo, designed for those of all abilities, including special needs.

 

But since it opened in late May, it has become a magnet for visitors from Waltham and beyond.

 

Some blocked driveways and hydrants on Trapelo side streets—leading some to put chairs in front of their homes and resulting in rude exchanges. 

One woman on Tuesday cited an example of a person who parked near her house, smoked pot and told her to f— off.

 

Another woman rejected an offer of 20 dollars for a visitor to park near her home.

The Ward 3 city councilor for the area, Bill Hanley, has been blitzed with complaints. “This park opened up and wreaked havoc on your neighborhood,” he said at the community meeting.

At a recent Waltham Chamber event, Mayor Jeannette McCarthy described the situation as the “headache of the year.” Both Hanley and McCarthy apologized at the meeting.

 

She has been encouraged by all the interest in the recreational amenities, but until hundreds of additional parking spaces are built in the coming years, there’s no easy fix for parking.

Parking Conundrum

There are only 100 parking spots currently. 

 

To manage the demand, the city had to adopt a reservation system for weekends—and ban parking on residential streets off Trapelo Road. It looks like it’s working.

 

“It has gotten better over the last several weeks,” said one of the first speakers, reflecting later comments by others.

 

But the resident-only parking is only a temporary solution because it is ultimately unenforceable, according to the city’s traffic engineer Mike Garvin. 

One resident asked why park planners failed to incorporate more parking into the current phases of the multi-phase recreation improvements at the former Fernald property.

 

Mayor Jeannette McCarthy said 550 spaces total are planned for Phases IV and V of the city’s ambitious recreation plan. But those won’t be available for a year or two. 

Until that happens, some have wondered why a gated-off paved lot near the playground is not being used for additional parking.

 

The mayor said the upcoming demolition of Withington Hall nearby will prevent the use of that lot, combined with security concerns from the lot’s location near off-limits areas.

So what can be done to mitigate parking in the meantime? One man suggested a trolley traveling from the National Archives’ typically vacant lot nearby.

 

Another possibility is residents-only “sticker” parking. The city’s traffic commission would have to approve it, but has resisted its implementation in other parts of the city, partly because it limits guest parking for visitors.

 

A poll at the end of the meeting showed 16 opposed to residents-only parking in the area and only 1 in favor. 

Other Concerns

Crossing Trapelo Road also emerged as an issue for neighbors and especially kids who want to visit the park. 

 

Some asked for a push-button flashing pedestrian beacon to ensure safe crossing. Councilor Hanley said that request is before the Waltham Traffic Commission currently.

Multiple residents said that traffic cones set up on Trapelo Road to prevent parking near the entrance to 200 Trapelo create hazards for cyclists. 

 

“This is scary,” said a woman whose husband is a longtime bicycle commuter.

Another worry is a fenced-off area where water collects near Trapelo Road. “It’s a haven for mosquitoes,” one woman said.

 

Meanwhile, one mom raised the issue of the park’s hours. “By 10:00 a.m. it’s totally packed,” she said. Could it open earlier, say at 8:30 a.m., or stay open later? 

Security Incidents Continue

Recreation Director Kim Hebert explained that the park cannot open for additional hours because of staffing limitations due to security concerns.

 

Vandals and arsonists have flocked to the sprawling 200 acre former Fernald property since the city acquired it in 2014.

 

Private security now patrols the property in the overnight hours when the park isn’t open, complementing efforts by Waltham Police, who use drones, and Recreation Department staff.

But is it deterring trespassing?

The mayor said a security fence surrounding the property had been cut in five different places, reflecting persistent problems in areas that are not open to the public. She also referred to an incident involving a man with a sledgehammer.

Waltham Police caught some of the trespassers, but the mayor wants more severe consequences for “unruly” behavior, such as “no tolerance, no letting them go,” she said Tuesday.

 

But can police do that? We reported in 2024 that trespassers encountered on site are rarely arrested and face few consequences.

Looking Ahead

Trapelo Road neighbors were grateful for an opportunity to air their concerns on Tuesday. 

 

But even if the parking and traffic concerns fade away, there are upcoming projects that could cause additional problems—and reflect the continuing headache that is Fernald. 

One is the proposed move of the city’s public works department to the Waverley Oaks side of the property. 

 

That area is also where a large underground MWRA project will take place that could snarl traffic for long periods.

Then there’s construction at 200 Trapelo for the next two phases of the recreation plan, involving athletic and drama amenities.

 

“Should the city reassess the traffic impact of the development plans?” asked neighbor Marie Daly. 

 

Meanwhile, for recreation officials, all the demand is preventing some Waltham families from visiting the park at their convenience—and it’s partly because of non-Waltham visitors.

A notable casualty is one eagerly anticipated amenity for hot summer days: the new spray park at 200 Trapelo, the city’s largest. It has not opened yet.

 

“I don’t know when the spray park will open,” the mayor said.

File photos