Cider Mill Project Update
Vol. 1, No. 1 - Spring 2000
The Goddard Association has been working for the past five years to locate a suitable parcel of land on which to erect a memorial to honor Robert IL Goddard. The Association hopes to develop a space which would have a meaningful association with Goddard's life, provide the opportunity for passive recreation, and have informational material available for the general public.
The Cider Mill Park; located at the corner of Goddard Memorial Drive and Apricot Street, offers all the above. Parsons Cider Mill, once the site of a thriving cider producing mill was acquired in parcels by the City of Worcester and the Greater Worcester Land Trust.
Before the Association could make its plans for developing the site, a conservation restriction had to be placed on the property by the State Legislature to protect the land and conserve it in its natural state. With the help of Senators Guy Glodis and Robert Bernstein and Representatives John Binienda and Harriet Chandler, the bill was enacted and signed by Governor Paul Cellucci in January, 2000. The Greater Worcester Land Trust will act as overseers of the property.
With the considerable help of Ann Johnson of the City Manager's Office of Planning and Development, plans are being drawn up to have a Goddard Memorial placed on the corner Goddard Memorial Drive and Apricot Street The memorial will include a sign, two informational kiosks, benches, and cherry trees. Flags of the United States, provided by Congressman Jim McGovern, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provided by Representative John Binienda and the City of Worcester will fly over the plaza. The United States flag will be one which has flown over the Capitol Building in Washington. The site is located at the beginning of the bike and hiking trail into the Cider Mill Park site and will include bike racks. The Goddard Association will be starting a fund drive to develop the memorial.