July Newsletter – Celebrating Parks, Expanding Access, and Building for the Future
July 31, 2026
The Power of Parks and Recreation
Every July, Parks & Recreation Month celebrates the parks, trails, playgrounds, and public spaces that bring communities together. This year’s theme, “The Power Of…”, recognizes the positive impact these spaces have on health, connection, and quality of life for people of all ages and abilities.
BETA is proud to help communities create recreational spaces that are safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Our recently completed Reilly School Playground in Lowell, Massachusetts, reflects that commitment through universally accessible play areas, sensory-rich experiences, quiet retreat spaces, and improved community gathering places designed to serve families of all abilities.
Through close collaboration with the City of Lowell and community stakeholders, the project transformed an aging playground into a vibrant destination that will support play, connection, and accessibility for generations to come.
Massachusetts Complete Streets Funding Available
Massachusetts municipalities have until Friday, August 7 to apply for the MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program. Communities may receive up to $1 million for construction and $38,000 for technical assistance to advance projects such as sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, ADA upgrades, bicycle accommodations, traffic calming, and multimodal safety enhancements.
From funding applications and project prioritization through design and implementation, BETA helps municipalities turn Complete Streets goals into safer, more accessible transportation networks. Our work in Millis, Massachusetts, is one example, featuring a curb extension, raised pedestrian refuge island, ADA-compliant ramps, bicycle accommodations, and streetscape improvements that will strengthen connections throughout the community. Click below to learn about the funding opportunity and how BETA can support your municipality.
ADA in Action on National Disability Independence Day
July 26 marked National Disability Independence Day, recognizing the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 and the continued importance of creating communities that support people of all abilities.
At BETA, our engineering, planning, and GIS professionals help communities turn accessibility goals into action, from identifying barriers and developing transition plans to prioritizing and implementing improvements to sidewalks, curb ramps, transit stops, and public spaces. Watch our latest video to meet some of the people behind this important work and learn how BETA’s comprehensive ADA and accessibility services are helping create safer, more connected, and inclusive communities across New England.
Celebrating National Intern Day
This National Intern Day, we’re celebrating the talented students who have spent their summer making a real impact at BETA. Across our offices and disciplines, our interns have contributed to active projects throughout New England, from conducting field investigations and ADA assessments to preparing engineering designs, environmental permits, GIS maps, and bid documents.
They’ve tackled new challenges, strengthened their technical skills, and quickly become valued members of our project teams. Click below to meet a few of this summer’s interns, explore the work they’ve taken on, and hear from the BETA mentors who are guiding them along their journeys.
A Closer Look at Accelerated Bridge Construction Techniques
When a bridge reaches the end of its service life, replacing it quickly while minimizing impacts to the traveling public is a top priority. Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is helping communities do just that by reducing construction time, improving safety, and limiting traffic disruptions.
In our recent video, structural engineer Derek Wong, EIT, explains how BETA used accelerated bridge construction techniques on the North Poland Bridge replacement project in Conway, Massachusetts. By incorporating innovative construction methods into the design, the project team helped deliver a safer, more efficient bridge replacement while reducing impacts on the surrounding community.
Welcome to the Team!
Devin Harrigan-Keys joins BETA’s GIS/asset management group as a GIS field technician. A recent graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in geographic information systems, Devin previously interned with the City of Middletown, CT, where he supported municipal GIS projects involving spatial analysis, zoning, infrastructure planning, and environmental assessments.
After interning with BETA for two summers while earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental engineering from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Bryce Martin has joined our water/wastewater group as an engineering designer. His previous internship experience also included supporting civil engineering projects, where he developed AutoCAD skills and assisted with the design and planning of subdivisions and other infrastructure projects.
Ready to join our award-winning team?
BETA will challenge you with interesting work and offers the potential for growth and advancement. We are currently looking for talented staff across many of our disciplines in offices throughout New England. Browse our current job openings.
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