In 2017, students in David Thibault-Muñoz’s summer First Year Experience class at Mount Wachusett Community College proposed the creation of a park dedicated to Fitchburg residents’ role in the Abolitionist Movement and Underground Railroad. Over the next several semesters, they created a park design and presented proposals to local elected officials seeking a location for the park. In 2018, the students created the Friends of Fitchburg Abolitionist Park, holding its first biennial meeting and electing its first Board of Directors.

Shortly thereafter, Fitchburg State University offered the group the opportunity to develop Fitchburg Abolitionist Park on a vacant lot owned by the university at 42-50 Snow Street. Community outreach for the park began in earnest with four neighborhood and lot clean ups and neighborhood canvassing to build rapport with residents and support for the project.

By 2020 a logo and website had been designed, a conceptual plan developed and fundraising initiated, including a partnership grant awarded through the Freedom’s Way Strategic Partnership Grant Program. Construction officially began in February 2021 with the removal of stumps and debris and site preparation for phase one of construction.

Volunteers from the North Central Mass Realtor’s Association created perennial flower boxes, planted commemorative apple trees, and installed a picket fence, where a mural will be painted. A brick and cement walkway were installed as well as five park benches, a flagpole and motion-sensor lighting.

On Juneteenth 2021, the Friends of Fitchburg Abolitionist Park celebrated the start of construction with a community event attended by nearly 200 community members, partners, funders, and elected officials. The Friends of Fitchburg Abolitionist Park continue to meet as a Board to realize the vision created by the students who initiated the project including the installation of a mural reflective of Fitchburg’s Abolitionist history and the creation of an Interactive, augmented reality board.

As Phase 3 of the Park’s development takes place, the all-volunteer Friends of Fitchburg Abolitionist Park continue their work. Since the project’s inception more than 80 students have taken on leadership roles in its execution.