CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Mayor John Vieau welcomed the Chicopee community on Thursday to celebrate the opening of the first phase of the Abbey Brook restoration and revitalization project.

The Abbey Brook project aims to restore and revitalize the area, historically impounded by two dams that created shallow ponds used for ice production and public swimming. The first phase includes the development of passive recreation trails, an outdoor classroom, boardwalks, and seating areas.

"It's a beautiful day for Chicopee moving forward," said Mayor Vieau. "It's just progress and a collaboration with federal, state, and local partners to make this all come to fruition and not that much burden on the taxpayers of Chicopee."

The project was initiated by the state's Department of Conservation and

See Full Page