History

Friends of Center Park, Inc

In December of 2019 Friends of Center Park was incorporated as a “nonprofit, charitable corporation which provides for civic beautification of Center Park in the town of Carlisle, Massachusetts, through programs and events including, but not limited to: planting and cultivating trees and plants; dissemination of information and education to the community on all aspects of gardening, horticulture and conservation; installing and maintaining necessary signs and hardscape; promoting the use of the park as a gathering place for recreational and event use; and publicizing these activities and raising funds within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.”

Friends of Center Park has an agreement with the town of Carlisle ( terms of agreement ) where the responsibilities are laid out for the Horticulture Committee to keep the garden beds healthy and tidy, the Events Committee to encourage and schedule community events at the Center Park and the Communications Committee and Fundraising Committee are tasked with spreading the word about Events and activities and seeking volunteers and donors to support these efforts.

The History of Center Park from 1974 to 2012

Articles published in the Carlisle Mosquito
How a parking lot became Center Park by Ellen Miller
Center Park, a splendid little oasis by Ellen Miller
Center Park – a peaceful garden in the center of Carlisle by Cecile Sandwen

Update 2013

Viburnum on the South Boundary

The Community Preservation Fund allocated $10,000 to Center Park to be expended for capital improvements over a four-year period from 2013 to 2017. The first project was a new path that links the park with the Carlisle rotary, Fern’s Country Store, Gleason Library, the school, churches, the Veteran’s Memorial on Carlisle Common, and business offices.

Also, a paperbark maple tree (Acer griseum) along the North boundary was donated by Brian J. Prosser in memory of Katharine Dru Prosser.

Center Park celebrated its 6th birthday on June 29 with ice cream (from Kimball Farm!) and cake. The Ancient Mariners played Dixieland jazz and selections from the American Songbook.