LOWELL — The City of Lowell recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated Father Maguire Park on Woodward Avenue at Mammoth Road.
According to a statement issued by Lowell City Manager Thomas Golden Jr., on Sept. 14, 2026, the $1.43 million project was funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and local earmarks.
The three full-sized basketball courts at the park, named in honor of Cheryl Letendre Saba, who spent years organizing a summer basketball league on them, were resurfaced, repainted and outfitted with new equipment.
The tennis court was renovated, while a second tennis court was converted into four pickleball courts.
“Father Maguire Park is popular with youth basketball leagues and families from throughout Pawtucketville, and we are proud that we were able to renovate it and make it the best recreational space that we can,” City Manager Golden said.
The park’s playground was expanded with play areas for children ages 2 to 5 and children ages 5 to 12. The older children’s play area features a two-story structure with a spiral slide and climbing equipment.
A central plaza with new concrete and picnic tables was also added to the park. City Manager Golden said that in addition to being a public park, Father Maguire Park also serves students from the nearby Joseph A. McAvinnue Elementary School.
“The guiding factor in our design was the basketball courts, so we created an athletic style, theme and color palette,” said Brianna Martinez, a Department of Planning and Development design planner who helped redesign the park.
Mayor Erik Gitschier credited City Councilor Daniel Rourke with helping secure the ARPA funds for the park’s renovation.
Father Maguire Park is one of 11 parks the city is transforming in 2025 and 2026. It’s also one of eight parks that are being renovated with $9 million in ARPA funding, a threefold increase over the city’s historic park renovation pace, City Manager Golden said in a statement.
