Since Spring 2025, Barrett Planning Group and partner BSC Group have worked with the City of Gardner to update the City’s master plan. Supported by a Community Planning Grant from the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), Gardner’s new master plan will be its first in nearly 50 years – the last was completed in 1975!
Known as the “Chair City” for its prominence in the furniture industry from the late nineteenth century through the later twentieth century, Gardner has been an enjoyable community to work with. Residents value their city and the strong sense of community that connects them. The city has abundant natural resources, anchored by Crystal Lake in the center, Dunn State Park, and numerous open space parcels that cover nearly a third of the city’s land area. Historic resources abound from all periods of the community’s development, giving distinct character to the city. A bustling downtown and numerous social service organizations support and provide for residents.
Before embarking on this master plan, the City was already looking to the future and is positioned well with several key tools and features at its disposal. CDBG funds have supported redevelopment in the downtown area, with the City spearheading the Rear Main project. City officials hope parking and public real improvements will entice a private developer to tackle some of the larger parcels nearby. Commercial spaces cluster along Timpany Boulevard, redeveloped and improved in recent years. And facilities such as Heywood Hospital, an independent community hospital, serve not only Gardner residents but those in the surrounding communities.
Barrett Planning Group and BSC Group have been out in the community for the past several months. Public engagement efforts have included a coffee hour for downtown business owners and social service organizations; a community visioning workshop; and tabling at some of the beloved community events, the Gardner Public Library’s summer reading kickoff and National Night Out. These in-person events have been supported by an online survey and Social Pinpoint project website, which allows for asynchronous participation from residents and community members.
The planning team is currently working with the City to home in on the key issues affecting Gardner now and over the next 20 years and is looking ahead to develop goals, recommendations, and an action plan before wrapping up our work this winter.
