Community Gardens

Brightside oversees more than 80 Adopt-A-Park sites throughout the City. These small city parks and traffic islands are planted by businesses, families and individuals. Often, Brightside initiates the establishment
or rejuvenation of these sites, then turns them over to the care of an adopter - giving them an identifying sign to promote their business or simply show their pride in their gardening endeavors. The exciting Lightship Park at the foot of the Groveland Bridge, prominently displays the anchor from the historic Coast Guard Nantucket Lightship that once sailed the Merrimack River. These locations highlight the dedication that people have for their city and improve every corner of Haverhill.

For 8 years, Brightside has helped manage the installation of large Adopt-A-Park pots throughout the City. We currently have 45 planters and continue to grow our sponsorship with adding new planters each year. We contracted their planting and maintenance so that even some of the City's most concentrated areas sparkle with flowers and foliage. Some of the areas Brightside maintains are The World Peace Memorial next to the Public Library, the Policeman's Memorial at the Haverhill Police Station, Bullen Park (Riverfront Park) and Pentucket (Indigenous deed signing location) on Mill Street.

Many new projects have been completed. They include beautiful spring and summer planting and mulch at island on Bailey & Ginty Blvds, 20 new planters in front of businesses in the downtown area, a new Adopt-A Tree program, and new plantings around Union Street Park.

Haverhill's Brightside is involved in more than just flowers. We oversee Community Gardens at Harrison and River Streets, allowing those who can't have garden areas of their own a place to grow fresh produce throughout the summer. A new Community Garden was set up last spring (2023) at Union Street Park. Under the chairmanship of David LaBrode, Brightside helps coordinate Haverhill's city-wide cleanup in downtown areas and throughout the entire community. Our Bloomfest event in the fall, concentrates on one or more areas of the city to improve and plant perennials and bulbs. Lastly, beautiful and festive holiday decorations are put up in many of the sites and downtown areas to continue beautification through the end of the year.

These endeavors - and more - are why I urge you to take a moment to give your support to Haverhill's Brightside by sending a tax-deductible contribution today. May we count on your help for the upcoming year? Together, I am confident we will continue to make a significant difference in making Haverhill a beautiful place to live.

Warmest regards & sincerest gratitude,
Lynda M. Brown, Director

Haverhill's Brightside has partnered with the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation to promote the "Greening the Gateway City Program"  in Haverhill. We encourage anyone interested in having a tree (of your choice) planted on your property or in your neighborhood - FREE OF CHARGE - to contact Mark Ghen, Urban Forester at 781-540-4322 or Nathan Tobey, Urban Forester at 781-400-0933 from the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Haverhill's Brightside has partnered with the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation to promote the "Greening the Gateway City Program"  in Haverhill. We encourage anyone interested in having a tree (of your choice) planted on your property or in your neighborhood - FREE OF CHARGE - to contact Mark Ghen, Urban Forester at 781-540-4322 or Nathan Tobey, Urban Forester at 781-400-0933 from the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).