See Updated Designs for Somerville’s ArtFarm Park at Feb. 9 Meeting

A decade in the making, plans for Somerville's unique ArtFarm park are taking shape. At a public meeting on February 9, City staff will present the latest community-driven designs that aim to transform the city’s former waste transfer site into a creative hub where gardens, public art, and recreational space bloom above a massive underground flood-control system. 

Community members are invited to come learn about the project’s history, design development, and key park features – as well as upcoming timelines. Participants can attend either in person or online. 

While a new park for Somerville, there’s history here. Designs for ArtFarm were first drawn up in 2014. The idea arose after the demolition of the Waste Transfer Station at 10 Poplar Street left a blank slate. But the City also needed critical stormwater control. So, this being Somerville, a creative plan to do both was hatched.  

The park plans were modified to first accommodate the Poplar Street Pump Station (voice.somervillema.gov/poplar-pump) and a 4-million-gallon underground stormwater storage tank under construction since 2023. This two-for-one approach aims to deliver the park atop the critical new infrastructure that will mitigate flooding in the city’s eastern half (including the Ward 2 and 3 areas) as climate change brings more precipitation.  

For the surface, residents worked with the Somerville Arts Council and the Public Space and Urban Forestry team to envision a common space that “grows” Somerville’s vibrant arts scene, provides opportunities for recreation, and supports community agriculture.     

ArtFarm has since become a key part of the Brickbottom Neighborhood Plan (voice.somervillema.gov/brick) adopted in 2024, calling for the district to be defined by art and creativity.  All are invited to learn about the project and what comes next at the upcoming meeting.  

Meeting Information: 

• Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Location: Triangle Coffee Bar (100 Chestnut St.)
• Join via Zoom: bit.ly/4sWOnf8 

For more information and to stay up to date with this project, visit voice.somervillema.gov/poplar-artfarm.  

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of this event. 

This event will be videotaped by the City’s GovTV team. Watch it on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV ( somervillema.gov/video) Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613. Videos generally post within one business day of recording.