Two months after the playground was removed, we have some genuinely exciting news about what comes next for Cutter / Reinhart Park.
The Process and Timeline
On May 26th, I met with Natasha Waden, Director of Recreation, and Jen Rothenberg, Chair of the Park and Recreation Commission, to discuss the path forward for the park. We talked through the full process for getting a project like ours from concept to construction:
- Feasibility Study – A consultant evaluates the site covering accessibility, soil, drainage, environmental factors, and community input. Estimated cost of $10-25k and could take 3-6 months.
- Full Design – Public meetings to determine the type of space and layout.
- Bid and Procurement – Formal process with landscape and playground architects, equipment selection, and contractor bidding.
- Construction – Build out.
Under the standard Town funding cycle, the “best case” timeline had us requesting feasibility funding in Fall/Winter 2026 for the FY28 budget, missing the CPA cycle for FY29, then going to CPA for bid and procurement in FY30, with a build out potentially not until 2029. That’s a long road.
The Big News
At the June 9th Park and Recreation Commission meeting, the conversation shifted in a major way. The Commission had an extensive discussion about Capital Planning for FY28 and beyond. During that discussion, it came to light that a $10,000 feasibility line item in the FY27 budget (available starting July 1st) was already covered by another line item. That freed up $10,000 for the Commission to allocate.
After discussion, the Commission agreed to use those funds to run a Feasibility Study at Cutter / Reinhart Park. The Commission will manage the study, present the findings at a public meeting, and then make the results available for us as a community to use for fundraising.
This is a much faster path than the “best case” timeline we discussed just two weeks prior. Instead of waiting until Fall/Winter to even request feasibility funding for FY28, the study can begin as soon as July 1st. We could have a design and cost estimate to rally around well before the end of this year.
Appreciations
We want to extend a sincere thank you to Select Board member and fellow neighbor Diane Mahon for her continued engagement with our project. Diane was involved back in 2001 when the park was rebuilt and dedicated to Nicole Reinhart, and she has returned to ensure that Nicole’s legacy remains part of the park’s history. She has been attending recent Commission meetings, has advocated directly for the Cutter / Reinhart feasibility study, and was instrumental in pushing to get safer temporary fencing installed on the School St. side of the park after the old unsafe fence was removed. Her advocacy at the town level makes a real difference and we are grateful for her support.
Remembering Nicole Reinhart
As we look toward the future of this park, it’s worth reflecting on the person whose name it carries. Nicole Reinhart was a champion American cyclist – a two-time Pan American Games gold medalist and two-time national elite track champion. On September 17, 2000, at just 24 years old, Nicole was killed in a cycling accident during a race here in Arlington. The playground at Cutter / Reinhart was dedicated in her honor in 2001, and for over 20 years it served as a place of joy for countless children in our community.
This Friday, June 19th, the cycling community will honor Nicole’s legacy at the Nicole Reinhart Women’s Classic at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania – the same track where she made her mark. Nicole’s impact continues to inspire riders and communities alike, and we are proud that this park carries her name.
We’ve also been fortunate to connect with members of the cycling community who knew Nicole and her family personally. They have offered to help spread the word and support fundraising when the time comes. It’s a powerful reminder that this park’s story extends well beyond our neighborhood, and that Nicole’s legacy will be a part of whatever comes next.
What’s Next
Once the feasibility study kicks off, we’ll have a much clearer picture of what a reimagined Cutter / Reinhart Park could look like and what it will cost. That’s when the real fundraising begins, and having a professional study in hand will be critical for us to pursue grants, CPA funding, and community fundraising.
In the meantime, continue to show up to Park and Recreation Commission meetings – your presence matters and has been a driving force behind every bit of progress we’ve made.