PORTSMOUTH — Local officials say safety and accessibility will be enhanced at Elmhurst Park thanks to a $30,000 grant the Town of Portsmouth has received from the R.I. Infrastructure Bank’s Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program (MIGP).

The grant will fund the installation of new lighting in the park’s parking lot, an improvement that has been in the works since the site’s initial development. The town has also allocated a $10,000 match from its fiscal year 2025 budget, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing public spaces.

The R.I. Infrastructure Bank received more than $6 million in funding requests this cycle, with only $3 million available for distribution. The grant application was prepared by Town Planner Lea Hitchen, building upon years of careful planning for the site. 

Following the demolition of the former Elmhurst School, a master plan was developed for the park, and in 2013, the town secured a R.I. Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Historic Parks/Passive Recreation Development Grant to begin phased construction.

The first phase of the park’s transformation included grading and seeding the site, constructing a 40-vehicle parking area with stormwater drainage, and installing underground electrical conduit and four concrete bases in preparation for future lighting. The parking area serves both the park and as overflow parking for Glen Manor House events.

The newly awarded grant will allow the town to now complete this long-planned lighting project. Four 20-foot LED luminaire fixtures, designed to meet dark sky principles, will be installed to improve visibility and safety. Portsmouth Public Works and an electrical contractor will complete the remaining conduit work and final installation.