Blair Square Construction Update (2023)
Celebrate Holliston Matches Friends of Holliston Trails Fundraising Challenge in Support of Blair Square Redevelopment Project
Celebrate Holliston and Friends of Holliston Trails are pleased to announce our commitment to the redevelopment of Blair Square by way of a monetary donation to the project. The town-appointed Blair Square Committee was formed several years ago and asked to reimagine how the space functions with two key goals in mind: redesigning Blair Square to improve drainage in the area, while also creating a safe, multi-functional community space.
In May 2022, Friends of Holliston Trails announced a $45,000 matching fundraising campaign that would kick-start fundraising for the pavilion planned for Blair Square, one of the key amenities included in the redesign.
Celebrate Holliston is answering the challenge by matching that $45,000 fundraising campaign.
“Celebrate Holliston has a long history of supporting the Town of Holliston. As we look forward to the Town’s 300th Anniversary in 2024, we are pleased to announce that we are donating $45,000.00 towards the construction of the pavilion at Blair Square,” said Peter Barbieri, Board Member, Celebrate Holliston. “Celebrate Holliston believes that the construction of the pavilion and other improvements proposed for Blair Square will provide a significant benefit to all Holliston residents and businesses as Blair Square will become a focal point for the Town activities.”
“Friends of Holliston Trails are delighted to receive news that Celebrate Holliston will match our donation and see this project shift into the development phase,” said Gretchen Rice Prieve, President, Friends of Holliston Trails. “The pavilion will enable us to create a better experience when we stage our events, as the space will support the technical and physical needs of hosting these larger scale community events.”
What Trails Users Can Expect
After receiving approval at Town Meeting to appropriate CPC funds in May 2022, the project immediately went out to bid, a partner was selected, and construction is slated to begin in January 2023. The complete project will take time—up to 5 months of disruption to that area—and the Blair Square Committee appreciates the patience of trail users, and especially our neighbors. Key changes:
- Selective tree removal, which is a critical step needed to properly address the area’s drainage issues and remove invasive species.
- Temporary relocation of the trail around the construction area.
- The trail itself will be permanently realigned to encourage trail users to slow down before reaching the Central Street intersection.
- Amenities will be added to accommodate many different uses of the space: pavilion to stage events, various seating opportunities, accessible, paved event space and open lawn areas; electrical and water infrastructure, educational and informational signage, and more!
- Direct connection to the recently installed Veterans’ Memorial.
- Landscaping to beautify the area upon completion of construction.
About Celebrate Holliston
Celebrate Holliston, Inc. was founded in 1991 with the purpose of providing assistance to the Town, lessening the government’s financial burdens, providing public support to organizations within the Town, promoting the resources of the Town through an Annual Field Day and to establish and provide funding and organization for the Town’s 275th Anniversary in 1999.
Donations to the Town of Holliston to support government services have included the Town Clock, benches, Police and Fire Equipment, the Gazebo at Lake Winthrop and many other donations. Significant financial assistance has also been provided to various organizations through grants over the years.
About Friends of Holliston Trails
Founded in 2012, Friends of Holliston Trails is a registered 501c3 all-volunteer organization who collaborates with the town-appointed Holliston Trails Committee to maintain a safe, multi-purpose trail. Volunteers run programs on the trail, host community events, and fundraise. All the funds we raise go directly into safety improvements and amenities along the trail. For more information, visit HollistonTrails.org or follow us on Facebook.
About Blair Square Committee
The Blair Square Committee was first appointed in 2018 with the goal to evaluate and recommend the best long-term use of Blair Square, from Central Street to Exchange Street. In partnership with Regan Andreaola, Landscape Architect, Beals and Thomas, Inc. and local Landscape Architect, Inge Daniels, the group has led a public process and collaborated with numerous town groups and residents to envision an improved space to benefit the entire community.
