The station’s strategic location in East Taunton near Route 140 provides convenient access and has already catalyzed nearby development. “It’s a really convenient location for people to get on and off the train,” Mayor O’Connell explains. The 285-unit housing development planned near the station exemplifies the economic ripple effects of transportation infrastructure investments. QUALITY OF LIFE Taunton’s investments in parks and recreational facilities demonstrate how mid-sized cities can enhance community well-being through strategic placemaking.“We are renovating a lot of our current parks that people have enjoyed since I was a little kid,” Mayor O’Connell explains. “The biggest one is Memorial Park, and we’re putting in about $4 million for renovation. It has a beautiful pond. We’re going to make a bandstand, outdoor space, and picnicking areas for people to enjoy. I brought my kids there when they were little, so to be able to renovate that entire park for families to enjoy for generations to come is something that’s very important to us.” Such an intergenerational approach to public space design typifies contemporary understanding of parks as critical social infrastructure. The city is also creating new recreational spaces that respond to demographic trends. “We are creating a park geared toward older Americans, but of course it’s for everyone,” says Mayor O’Connell, describing the transformation of Davol Park. Mayor Shaunna O’Connell 12 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05
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