Senator Pearson, Rep. Marszalkowski announce funding to improve Diamond Hill Park with DEM Director

CUMBERLAND, R.I. — Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D-Dist. 19, Cumberland, Lincoln) and Rep. Alex D. Marszalkowski (D-Dist. 52, Cumberland) joined Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit today at Diamond Hill Park to announce $300,000 in state funding to begin a revitalization of this treasured recreational asset.

Presenting the funds to Mayor William Murray and Mayor-Elect Jeffrey Mutter, the Senator and Representative spoke of the opportunity to revitalize the park with this new state/local partnership. The allocation was secured by Senator Pearson and Representative Marszalkowski through the state’s FY19 budget.

“Today marks the beginning of a revitalization for Diamond Hill Park. Memories in this park run deep in our community, some dating back to skiing this hill. It is imperative we continue to ensure this recreational asset remains a vibrant part of our community creating many new memories to come. I am proud that our advocacy on behalf of Cumberland residents will kick off this revitalization with state funding easing the burden on local property taxes,” said Senator Pearson.

Senator Pearson, Rep. Marszalkowski announce funding to improve Diamond Hill Park with DEM Director Coit

“Hearing from residents over the last couple years about the opportunity to bring new life into Diamond Hill Park, we got to work. However, what will ultimately make this successful is the involvement of all Cumberland residents coming together to define the future vision of Diamond Hill Park and its uses. We are very fortunate to have so many great leaders dedicated to parks, recreation and open space and I look forward to continuing to work with all of them,” said Representative Marszalkowski.

“From the acquisition of the magnificent Mercy Woods property nearby to upgrading the playground and field at Epheta Park in Cumberland Hill, the State of Rhode Island has strongly supported the Town of Cumberland’s conservation and recreation goals and projects in 2018, and going back many years,” said DEM Director Coit. “It has been a pleasure to work with Senator Pearson and Representative Marszalkowski along with local leaders like Mayor Murray. Together we have accomplished a lot, and I look forward to continuing that work at Diamond Hill.”

Presenting the funding to Mayor Murray and Mayor-elect Mutter, Senator Pearson remarked, “We are fortunate to have town leaders with vision from the Mayor’s office to our town council to the many dedicated Cumberland residents concerned about parks and recreation. We have heard about the needs for a new multi-purpose facility to host events, the need to clean up the stage pond, renovate the stage itself and many other potential needs in the park. I am confident, working together, our local government will lead a comprehensive effort to fully vision the revitalization of this park.”

Accepting the funding on behalf of the town, Mayor Murray said, “Continually building on our recreational and open space assets has been a major part and top priority for my administration. DEM just invested $400,000 toward the recently acquired Mercy Woods 229 acre parcel, and I am excited that Director Coit and our state delegation continue to ensure investments in Cumberland. With this new state funding we will be able to continue to build ‘Pride in Cumberland’ here at Diamond Hill Park. Our thanks to our Senators and Representatives for securing these funds and to Director Coit for her valued partnership and in helping to get us started.”

Mayor-elect Mutter offered that, “This will be the beginning of our work to create a new vision for Diamond Hill Park that brings all residents to the table. We have many opportunities, and my administration will be committed to developing a comprehensive vision for the park. Working with Senator Pearson, Representative Marszalkowski and the entire Cumberland General Assembly delegation, we will then put that vision into reality. This is exactly the kind of partnership we need from the state, and we are fortunate to have such strong leadership in our Senators and Representatives to advocate for our town.”

Also in attendance at today’s announcement were Senator Roger Picard (D-20 Woonsocket, Cumberland) and Representatives Mia Ackerman (D-45 Cumberland, Lincoln) and James McLaughlin (D-57 Cumberland, Central Falls). Local officials included Town Councilors Lisa Beaulieu and James Metivier. School Committee Members Raymond Salvatore, Bill Dennen and Paul DiModica also attended.