Waveney Park Conservancy unveils Merritt Trail redesign plan; initial stage could cost $1M–$1.5M

Representatives of the Waveney Park Conservancy presented concept designs on Oct. 15 for a multi-stage redesign of the Merritt Parkway Trail intended to reduce noise and visual impacts from the Merritt Parkway and restore Olmsted-era park character.

Fel Hertig, chair of the conservancy, and Michelle Crookenden, executive director, described work done with Heritage Landscapes (principals Patricia O’Donnell and Peter Vittoretto) including a topographic survey, wetland survey and tree inventory. The conservancy said the full project cost is roughly $2.5 million to $3.5 million; the conservancy identified an initial stage with an estimated cost of $1 million to $1.5 million.

Design elements include extending existing berms installed by the Olmsted brothers, shifting the trail northward in the most impacted sections, dense native plantings to screen views and reduce sound, a wooden fence where the corridor is constrained by right-of-way and a stone “layback” wall near the Merritt on/off ramp. Heritage’s study identified short segments with the highest decibel impacts and recommended pulling the trail inward at those locations.

Crookenden said the conservancy has approximately $750,000 on reserve with the town from prior allocations and plans a capital campaign and grant-seeking to match town contributions on a 1:1 basis similar to previous projects. The conservancy said it would cover initial design work and construct a first phase subject to funding and permitting, with construction envisioned to begin in spring 2027 under a staged timeline.

Council members asked about right-of-way and state ownership of the Merritt Parkway, trail visibility, wildlife impacts and whether the project would require state approvals. Crookenden said Heritage’s design team verified property lines and that the proposed trail alignments remain within town-owned parkland. She acknowledged that construction would necessarily cause temporary trail disruptions but said consultants proposed maintaining a usable route during phased work.

No council vote was required; the presentation was informational and intended to socialize the concept with town bodies and residents ahead of more detailed design and budgeting.