hgazette.com, Haverhill, MA
News
Smooth drive to Winnekenni Castle
Crews resurface rutted road to hilltop park
Published: July 22, 2009
By early Saturday afternoon, the road to Winnekenni Castle will be bump- and mud-free.
Castle Road, the rutted dirt and gravel way that starts beside Winnekenni Basin and runs up to the castle, will be resurfaced beginning today, July 23.
Tom Shanahan, Department of Public Works general foreman, said a double application of chip seal — a chipped stone product that is sealed to withstand weather and traffic — will be laid on 2,600 feet of Castle Road and the small parking area at the summit, at a cost of about $70,000.
Castle Road is one of dozens of streets that will be resurfaced as part of the latest round of road repairs, Mayor James Fiorentini said. Money for the project comes from the state in the form of Chapter 90 aid.
Shanahan said the road surface will be light-colored and will resemble gravel, rather than black asphalt, matching the rustic nature of the area.
The surface should last at least five to 10 years, Shanahan said, with touch-ups required "here and there." Shanahan said the project will widen the road as much as possible, but workers will be limited by a hill one side and a steep fall-off toward Kenoza Lake on the other.
The road will be closed to all but emergency traffic on Thursday through early Saturday. The area at the bottom of the hill closest to Kenoza Avenue, such as the parking area for the playground, tennis courts, rest rooms and walking trails, will remain open during the resurfacing, Shanahan said.
A city Department of Public Works crew preparing the road for paving will also help to level a space behind the garage at the summit beside the castle that can accommodate parking for 80 cars.
"We're going to try to help them out with that," Shanahan said, referring to the Winnekenni Foundation.
Perfect timing
The paving and parking lot projects come at the perfect time for the foundation's directors, said Tom Sullivan, a member of the board and the foundation's vice president of membership and development.
On Saturday, just hours after the road is surfaced, a country barbecue is planned from 2 to 6 p.m. on the castle lawn with entertainment.
Those who attend the barbecue will be the first to drive on the new road to the castle.
Admission will be $10 and will include membership in the Winnekenni Foundation. Hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks will also be available for purchase, with all proceeds benefitting the upkeep, restoration and maintenance of the castle.
Winnekenni Foundation members are admitted free to many castle events.
A classic car show and the foundations' wildly popular Chowderfest are planned for Aug. 1 and 9, respectively. The car show could draw additional participants once car owners realize they will have a paved road to use to get their cars to the castle, Sullivan said, and the additional parking spaces will come in handy for the Chowderfest, which in its inaugural year last year drew more than 1,000 visitors.
Admission to the car show on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be free, and refreshments will be for sale.
Visitors will be able to view classic and restored autos exhibited by their owners. Entertainment will also be provided.
Admission to the Chowderfest on Sunday, Aug. 9, is $10 for adults, $5 for children, which includes samples of the chowders prepared by participating restaurants.
Last year, nearly a dozen restaurants participated. This year, there is room for 20, Sullivan said.
Everyone who pays the entry fee may sample chowders from each vendor and vote for the best.
Last year's winner, Olivia's, has signed up to participate for a second year. Vendors will be able to sell additional specialty food items from their booths, Sullivan said.
Chowderfest hours are noon to 4 p.m. and entertainment for the family will be provided by the B Street Bombers, Lee Lewis and the Doo Wop All Stars, Inca Son, Judy Pancoast and magician Greg McAdams.
Activities such as the barbecue, car show and Chowderfest raise money for the Winnekenni Foundation to use as needed for projects such as interior and exterior repairs and renovations.
Repointing of the mortar in the castle's front wall and tower are the main expenses currently, Sullivan said.
As the foundation board receives funding, future projects include expanding the garden beds and completing upgrades to the picnic area.
Those projects were put on hold because money raised by the foundation is needed for repairs to the stonework of the castle, which was damaged during the past winter.
Sullivan said a local florist is interested in learning more about a design to restore the castle's original gardens.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Winnekenni Foundation or making a donation may call 978-521-1686; write Winnekenni Foundation, PO Box 403, Haverhill MA 01831, e-mail winnekenni@yahoo.com or visit the foundation's Web site at www.winnekenni.com.
