Prescott Park Master Plan Implementation Committee

Ground Site Testing on November 8, 2021

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works completed four five-foot, by five-foot, by five-foot “test pits” at Prescott Park on Monday, November 8, 2021, as part of the investigatory engineering required to implement the Prescott Park Master Plan. The work will be conducted in conjunction with a soils scientist designated by the project consultant Weston and Sampson Engineers and an archaeologist. For the results of those tests, see the documents in the sidebar at right.

Since the completion of the Prescott Park Master Plan and the Prescott Park Policy Advisory Committee, the City has engaged Weston & Sampson to assist it with the enabling engineering to begin implementation of the Plan.  This work is funded via Capital Improvement Program.  A topographical survey of the Park, along with a survey of the underground utilities and an assessment of the historic buildings has been completed  In addition, the consultants have completed tidal inundation study to establish resiliency goals for the upgraded park. 

On May 4, 2020, Mayor Becksted appointed a Blue Ribbon Committee to oversee this work and recommend future phasing and design details for City Council consideration. 

An informational meeting on the Proposed Phase 1 Implementation was held on September 15th.  Presentation materials used in the meeting are available here. 

The final virtual public meeting took place on October 29th at 6:30 to review what the first Phase of Master Plan Implementation may entail.  Presentation materials used in the meeting are available here. 

The Committee presented its proposed Phase 1 Implementation Plan to the Historic District Commission on December 9th in work session.

The draft schedule is as follows: