It’s not magic *
From a forgotten strip of land to a quiet park
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — No surprise, art will figure prominently in the future Union Square Courtyard park.
Some years in the planning phase and months in the “tweaking” phase, the town is now working on an Urban Green & Community Garden grant proposal from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
The estimate is roughly $500,000.
The town is planning the courtyard in two phases — the construction in phase 1 and then the all-important in the second phase.
In CHA’s conceptual plans phase one includes a nice fence surrounding, a quiet sitting area, picnic tables and “picnic nooks” benches, low-maintenance plantings and more. The second phase involves a fountain or sculpture in the center and a metal archway over the stairs that head down to Front Street under the railroad trestle.
A fountain or a sculpture would make a focal point, said Putnam Economic and Community Development Director Maryann Chinatti.
The tiny parcel, .08 acres, was donated by the owner of the Sawdust Coffeehouse and Dessert Bar II. It sits between the former Chickering and the Gertrude Chandler Warner Box Car Children Museum, off the Union Square parking lot. That transfer took more than a year.
Then more than one conceptual design was done after the town asked for a “more welcoming” design.
The Putnam Arts Council may become involved in the project as they are working on some public art projects.
Chinatti said the deadline for the grant is Dec. 17. She already has a letter of support from the Putnam Business Association and is working on gathering other letters of support to accompany the grant request. She hopes to hear back on her proposal by March 2026.
The original plans were conceived during Delpha Very’s tenure as economic development director.
“This is going to be such a great, inviting space,” she said. “It’s going to be awesome. It’s going to be beautiful.”
*Editor’s note: Some tend to think these projects appear by magic. Behind the scenes are volunteers and dedicated town employees who worked relentlessly to make this “magic” happen. It’s not magic.
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