NORWICH – Following nearly eight years of perseverance and determination, the city’s Business Improvement District – in partnership with Friends of the Park – broke ground on East and West Park renovations Wednesday.

Heavy equipment first began rolling into East Park on Monday and the area was fenced off Tuesday. Yesterday, Kuhn’s Tree Service began preliminary work, bringing down several trees located on the east side of the park.

Friends of the Park’s Eric Larsen warned that – while things may be a bit messy to begin with – people should be excited for the long-awaited remodeling and renovation of the parks.

“I think the park really cried-out to be re-landscaped and it will look and work better, that’s been our goal from the beginning,” said Larsen. “It really is going to look nice and although it’s going to be a bit of a mess early on, I think people will be excited when they finally get to see the final result. When it’s done, it will be something the entire community can be proud of.”

Wakeman Construction successfully bid for the construction phase of the project not to be performed by volunteers at an estimated $250,000. In the coming weeks, the Sidney-based contractor will begin further excavation in preparation for the foundations of the permanent stage and relocated gazebo in East Park. While that work is underway, Larsen said volunteers will begin the re-landscaping of West Park, including the installation of new sidewalks and electrical conduits, improved lighting, security cameras and new benches and trash receptacles. Once the construction of permanent stage and relocation of the gazebo are completed, a similar re-landscaping of East Park will begin.