Prescott Park Project

Flooding in Prescott Park

 

In 2017, the City Council adopted the Prescott Park Master Plan that called for park-wide reconfiguration, restructuring services, and developing new park policies. At the time, the City also recognized that renovations to the park presented opportunities to plan for climate resiliency adaptation, preserve antique historic structures, accommodate performances and event spaces, and ensure iconic Portsmouth facilities continue to serve the public.

In 2020, the Master Plan Implementation Committee began evaluating options that met those objectives and the City engaged Weston & Sampson to assist with the enabling engineering to begin implementation of the Master Plan, budgeted through the Capital Improvement Plan. A topographical survey of the Park, a survey of the underground utilities and an assessment of the historic buildings was completed, along with a tidal inundation study to establish resiliency goals for the upgraded park. 

The City Council voted on July 11, 2022 to move forward with a Master Plan Phase 1A of the work. Due to budget constraints and additional sea level rise considerations for the historic Player's Ring building, the City subsequently requested a modified scope of physical improvements to Phase 1 improvements at Prescott Park. Periodic flooding of Prescott Park around the historic Shaw Warehouse and Player's Ring buildings gave this project urgency, especially during a December 2022 storm when storm surge coupled with King Tide groundwater elevation resulted in the flooding impact, pictured above. The on-site structural engineering assessment started December 1, 2025.

On April 20, 2026, the Department of Public Works presented an update on the revised project to the City Council. In the presentation DPW recommended an alternative plan that includes:

  • Relocation and raising of the Shaw Warehouse on a new foundation
  • Relocation and raising of the Garage Addition on a new foundation
  • Dismantling and reconstruction of the Lean-To on a new foundation
  • Relocation and raising of the Player’s Ring
  • Drainage piping and stormwater management upgrades
  • Full removal and replacement of Water Street, with new head-in parking stalls
  • Continued emergency equipment access to all buildings, including the historic Sheafe Warehouse
  • New ADA-compliant walkways and connections to existing walkways
  • Protection and pruning of existing trees and new tree plantings 
  • Relocation and raising of the Shaw Warehouse on a new foundation
  • Relocation and raising of the Garage Addition on a new foundation
  • Dismantling and reconstruction of the Lean-To on a new foundation
  • Relocation and raising of the Player’s Ring
  • Drainage piping and stormwater management upgrades
  • Full removal and replacement of Water Street, with new head-in parking stalls
  • Fire truck access to all buildings, including the historic Sheafe Warehouse
  • New walkways and connections to existing walkways
  • New benches and site furnishings as desired
  • Protection and pruning of existing trees for health and reinvigoration
  • New tree plantings