Photo credit: Talia Connelly; Design by Dan Bender; Future Rendering: Talia Connelly
Welcome to The College Grove
On the corner of College Ave and Summer St, a little forest is taking root. Dreamed up by neighbors and growing with the community, The College Grove invites you to discover what happens when nature and imagination come together.
01| Why The Grove
The College Grove project transforms a city plot at the corner of College Avenue and Summer Street into a public green space. Led by neighborhood residents with guidance from local horticultural experts, the initiative adds a native micro-forest to cool the neighborhood while preserving all existing Barry Park functions. To learn more about this project, select the button below.
02| Participate
The College Grove is a three-stage community effort spanning 2026 to 2030 and beyond, focusing on site preparation, native planting, and long-term stewardship. We welcome residents of all ages to help prepare, plant, and care for this shared space. Read a full breakdown of the three project stages here or follow along for updates and event announcements.
Upcoming Events
Breaking Ground Kick-off
November 14, 2026
9am-12pm
Corner of College Ave and Summer St, Medford, MA
Come celebrate the next step for The College Grove! Join neighbors and friends for a community gathering featuring guest speakers and a hands-on opportunity to help lay down the final soil prep and fencing. Come for the celebration!
Schedule of Events
9:00 – 9:30 AM | Community Celebration: Guest Speakers, Local History, Storytelling, Sing-Along & Sign Unveiling!
9:30 – 10:00 AM | Prep & Set Up: Woodchips Spread
10:00 – 12:00 AM | Pitching In Together: Boundary Prep & Protective Fencing
03| Who We Are
We are Medford residents dedicated to transforming underutilized green spaces into vibrant community areas. We engage neighbors in grassroots environmental planning and partner with the city’s municipal organizations - the Parks Commission, the Community Preservation Commission, and the City Council. We are a passionate voice for creating green spaces that provide essential shade, beauty, and biodiversity throughout Medford's neighborhoods. We are supported by TreesMedford, Canopy Crew, and an advisory committee of local experts.
The College Grove and Canvassing Team
Community Stewardship & Urban GreeningAdvisory Committee
Environmental planning & landscaping
Administrative SupportThe College Grove and Canvassing Team
Community Outreach & plant care04| Donate
Every donation to The College Grove directly supports the planting, tools, and long-term care. When you donate below, your contribution is processed by TreesMedford, with 100% of the funds designated specifically to power our project at Barry Park.
Rooted in Community: Give Today, Grow Tomorrow
Every contribution directly powers The College Grove, whether you are sponsoring a single native sapling or leaving a lasting family legacy in the park.
Legacy & Dedicated Gifts
Leave a permanent mark at Barry Park. Opportunities include sponsoring a park bench, dedicating a native canopy tree with a personalized sign, naming a garden path, or creating a commemorative painted rock along the micro-forest trail. If you are interested in a dedicated gift, please reach out to us for current availability and sponsorship details.
Direct Planting & Stage Support
You can also fund essential supplies for each phase of our growth:
Stage 1: Site Prep & Tools (October 2026 - May 2027) – Covers soil amendments, biochar, compost, and hand tools to prepare the ground.
Stage 2: Planting Trees and Shrubbery (April-May 2027) – Funds climate-resilient native trees, shrubs, and protective boundary fencing.
Stage 3: Maintenance, watering/weeding/replanting (May 2027 and beyond) – Supplies hydration bags, mulch, and weeding tools for our volunteer Canopy Crew.
General Project Fund – Directs support to wherever the immediate need is greatest across all stages.
All donations are processed by our non-profit partner, TreesMedford, with 100% of designated funds dedicated specifically to The College Grove.