Spring Hill in Somerville in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Conway Park
Photographed by Marc Posner, July 3, 2024
1. Conway Park Marker
Conway Park is named after George Frederick Conway, Somerville resident and Seaman Second Class in the U.S. Navy. Conway, age 21, was lost at sea in 1918 while serving in WWI. The site that honors his memory also reflects the city's industrial past.
The Middlesex Bleachery and Dye Works stood on this eastern portion of the site (1870-1920s) and the Bayside Smelting Company stood where the rinks are today (1930's-1992). Fuel, lumber, and electroplating companies, as well as a coffee and flower warehouse, also occupied this site.
While earlier work remediated the western portion the City of Somerville led the cleanup of this portion of the site in 2021. In partnership with, and with funding from, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, over 8,700 tons of contaminated soil were removed. In response to a changing climate, a stormwater infiltration system was installed beneath the ballfield to capture and hold rainwater so it can slowly seep into the ground to help control flooding and replenish the local aquifer. The 64 new native plants during the renovation are now part of the urban tree canopy bring shade, cooling, habitat, and nature to our city.
Erected by City of Somerville.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
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Location. 42° 23.003′ N, 71° 6.419′ W. Memorial is in Somerville, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Spring Hill. It is at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Central Street, on the left when traveling west on Somerville Avenue. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 550 Somerville Avenue, Somerville MA 02143, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Historic Boston and specifically in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "What Mr. Chase Didn't Know about Coffee, Mr. Sanborn Did." (within shouting distance of this marker); A City of Immigrants (within shouting distance of this marker); A Librarian To Somerville, A Friend To Man (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Golden Glass to Silver Screen / Whatever Happened to Baby Bette? (about 300 feet away); When Trolleys Ran On Hay / Changing Uses, Changing Names (about 300 feet away); Picture Perfect / The Price of Liberty (about 300 feet away); Country Town or Gritty City? / A Little Eden (about 300 feet away); A Revolutionary Hero, Much Revered (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Somerville.
Photographed by Marc Posner, July 3, 2024
2. Conway Park Marker
Photographed by Marc Posner, July 15, 2024
3. Conway Park: A Working Landscape
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
