Visitor center eyed for funding.

Byline: George Barnes

GARDNER - State Rep. Rich Bastien, R-Gardner, said he is seeking $250,000 in the state budget to make repairs necessary to reopen the Heritage State Park Visitor Center on Lake Street.

Mr. Bastien said the money request was filed as an amendment to the budget, which is under consideration by the Legislature.

"This is a building that includes displays on the city's manufacturing history," Mr. Bastien said.

The visitor center was built in the early 1980s as one of two parts of Gardner Heritage State Park. It was housed in the renovated former Lake Street Fire Station, which was built in the 1800s.

Building Gardner Heritage State Park was part of a major push by Gov. Michael S. Dukakis's administration to create urban parks throughout the state.

Parks were created in many old mill towns, including Gardner, Lawrence, Lowell, Holyoke and Fall River.

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