Esplanade's Renovated Lawn Unveiled At Hatch Shell
BOSTON (CBS) -- After several months of renovations, the Hatch Shell Oval Lawn was unveiled during a ceremony on Friday at the Esplanade.
State officials and representatives of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Esplanade Association, and Santander Bank participated in the event.
"The Hatch Memorial Shell Oval Lawn revitalization project is an excellent example of government working with private partners to provide a valuable product to the Commonwealth's citizens," said EEA Secretary Matthew Beaton in a statement.
The Esplanade Association worked with DCR to start a capital campaign to fund the lawn's renovation, as well as surrounding parkland's needed improvements.
Santander Bank contributed $100,000 to the $700,000 oval lawn restoration project.
"Public-private partnerships, like this one, provide excellent opportunities to improve and enhance our state's natural resources in a way that will encourage citizens to get out and enjoy the outdoors," DCR Commissioner Carol Sanchez says in the statement.
Renovation work began in October 2014 and was completed in April.
Improvements made to the lawn include re-grading the soil and installing an irrigation system, new turf and electrical and mechanical conduit hook-ups.
Officials praised the work done at the site.
"I'm pleased that the public-private partnership between DCR and the Esplanade Association has resulted in this beautiful renovation that will benefit the community for years to come," State Representative Jay Livingstone says in the statement.
"It's worth it because this is our crown jewel," Tani Marinovich, executive director of the Esplanade Association, told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens.
Rene Wood, who lives in the area, says she couldn't wait to take her shoes off at the lawn.
"It's so lush and green and just such a joy," she told Stevens. "We're really excited for the kids and all the tourists that come through the area.
The lawn will be open to the public for the Fourth of July events.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports: