Worcester, MA - The Colleges of Worcester Consortium along with five of its member institutions have adopted six Lincoln Square traffic islands for landscape improvements as part of the city's "Adopt an Island" program.
In consultation with the City of Worcester and the Worcester County Horticultural Society, the Consortium spearheaded this ongoing project which has created an urban landscape that welcomes visitors to the city and rewards its residents through visual impact. Colleges participating in the project that utilize the Lincoln Square exits from I-290 as primary arteries include: Anna Maria College, Assumption College, Becker College, Clark University and Worcester State College.
The traffic islands were identified with the city's Department of Public Works and are located at:
The Lincoln Square area was recently designated as one of 16 in the state as a new Growth Districts Initiative, a program designed to spur economic growth activities.
"We've watched the urban landscape from I-290 change for the better," said Mark P. Bilotta, chief executive officer of the Consortium. "Visitors to Lincoln Square are now immediately greeted by WPI's Gateway Park project and we hope to complement those efforts by enhancing the urban landscape in that area. Gateways to the city deserve that same attention and commitment."
The city provided site preparation, primarily involving the removal of concrete. Joseph Borbone, director of engineering for the Department of Public Works, was instrumental in the city's involvement with the project. Hines Wasser & Associates of Boston, who has been involved in the design and construction of several projects at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, served as the landscape architect.
Funding for the first phase of the project was provided by the Nathaniel Wheeler Trust, the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, the Stoddard Charitable Trust, the Fletcher Foundation and the Fred Harris Daniels Foundation, Inc. Further funding is being sought, and if secured will be utilized to complete landscape improvements on two additional traffic islands.
Each island features plantings and signage recognizing the respective college as sponsor. The sixth island is sponsored by the Consortium. A local landscape company, Hillary Landscape Service, was chosen for the initial installation and ongoing, year-round, weekly maintenance of the islands. The signs were designed with the city's new "Way-finding" project in mind, providing continuity to the recently announced signage and district identifier program.
Recognizing the fiscal limitations of the city, the Consortium and five of its institutions will make a minimum five-year commitment to the project by covering the ongoing maintenance costs.