Recently, work to upgrade the South Broad Street Park began with developments that include natural, wider and safer walking and resting areas, accessible for all. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

NORWICH - Recently, work to upgrade the South Broad Street Park began with developments that include natural, wider and safer walking and resting areas, accessible for all.

City of Norwich Mayor Brian Doliver said the property is owned by the Mt. Hope Cemetery Association (CA) and with private donations the association is working to upgrade the park.

The mayor explained, “There are no tax dollars involved and it’s never been our property to begin with but we do have an agreement to maintain the property.”

Doliver said the project has been in the works for a while now and a lot of money will be spent to present a beautiful park to the entrance of Norwich.

He said Eric Larsen was one of the local community members working on the project for the cemetery association, and directed further information come from the association’s team.

Larsen said ideas to improve downtown Norwich led to discussions of a renovation project at the park at the south entrance to the city. He said the team reviewed the current park and sought ways to make it more accessible, they also looked at underinvested houses next door and ways to incorporate them into the park or bring them up to code. He said a new walk way along the creek and a new picnic pavilion would be installed.