An extensive renovation project at the city-owned Byrne Playground in Dorchester’s Clam Point neighborhood is progressing, with final designs expected by this summer and construction expected to start in the fall.

The park, which was established in 1939, is well overdue for comprehensive improvements to its playground, courts, spray area, and green spaces. Planning for the estimated $1.85 million project has been underway since last August, according to Nellie Ward, the project manager for the city’s Parks Department.

“The community loves the park as it is, but it just needs updates,” said Ward. “It’s important to preserve the existing programming and use of the park, but also to show the community that they’re getting what they deserve and that [the Parks Dept.] supports and has listened to the needs and desires of the community.” 

Two community meetings were held in recent months and another is planned for Tues., April 2, at 6 p.m. The virtual meeting, to be held via Zoom, will present the latest plans for the re-design.

At a meeting last November, Ward presented initial feedback from walk-throughs held last year and also introduced a survey to gather input on the community’s view of the park’s character and programming. Ward told the Reporter that the survey helped their team decide which renovations should be prioritized, redesigned, or abandoned. 

​ “The results of that survey were used in the second community meeting,” she said. “A lot of times we can have a community meeting and there is just one person who is very vocal, and it can sort of paint the picture of how the whole park is being used. It really helps to have this kind of anonymous place where people can say what they think and feel.” 

The survey revealed a desire for larger green spaces, more picnic tables and trash cans, and a refurbished water sprayground.

“We found that there is too much paving, folks want more green space, and there is a lot of support for having a half-sized basketball court,” Ward said. 

The survey also showed areas of disagreement in the community such as the possible addition of a designated dog park.

“We want to do what the consensus of the community wants,” Ward told the Reporter. “In general, if we have a split community like that, it’s better to go with not making a change than to make a big change for the way the park is used.”

Since less than 50 percent of park users who took the survey supported the addition of a dog park, that move was overruled. 

In February, the team presented three design options based on the site assessment and survey to the community.

Paul and Denise Doherty are two of many community members involved in this project. The couple has lived in Clam Point for more than over 45 years and sees the park as the “centerpiece” of the neighborhood. They said that working with Ward has been great so far.

“Nellie Ward has been terrific dealing with the neighbors and keeping us informed,” said Paul. “The parks department has been really great to us, and I really think we’re going to end up with something that’s going to be the pride of the neighborhood when it’s done. I think a lot of people are going to be jealous of us.”

He is particularly excited to use the upgraded pickleball courts that he pushed for in the park. He is also responsible for the park’s message board and the free community library. Denise is more excited to see the revamped playground which she and her grandchildren visit often.

“Their main message to us, and I certainly feel this way,” she said, “is that they have listened to everything that we said, and I really feel that we are involved and a part of this.” 

For her part, Ward said that she hopes that the renewed park will be “a better place for kids to play and a better place for folks of all ages to get to have mixed-use …and feel welcome and safe.” 

Details on how to join the April 2 meeting can be found at boston.gov/calendar/byrne-playground-design-meeting-3