Mayor's Office

Cumberland seeks to advance its community outreach efforts to better serve residents' diverse needs and create better health, educational, and social-emotional outcomes. To promote these efforts, the Town is looking to adaptively reuse the historic Amaral Building to create a community health and outreach center. This work is funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Community Learning Center Municipal Grant Program from the State of Rhode Island and U.S. Treasury.

• Overview
• Resolution to File Grant Application
• Architect Contract Award
• Construction Contract Award
• Most Recent Monthly Report to the Town Council

Our administration has been hard at work to revitalize Diamond Hill Park for a new generation. This has included expanding and improving recreational opportunities. Some of the projects that have been completed during our tenure include: 

• The Lodge at Diamond Hill
• Amphitheater Improvements (Audio/Visual)
• Agonza's Hand at Nature Mural
• The Pump Track 
• Pond Improvements
• Trailhead Bathrooms
• Field Maintenance Plan/Improvements

The Town of Cumberland is transforming Valley Fells Heritage Park into a comprehensive community resilience hub. Located along the Blackstone River and adjacent to Central Falls, the park will complement the newly revitalized Amaral Building Community Center, funded through HUD's Community Development Block Grant program, to provide integrated services that promote public health, environmental sustainability, and community wellbeing.

Directly across from Town Hall and the Amaral Building, the park is central to the Valley Falls, Lonsdale, and Central Falls communities. The revitalized space will feature outdoor classrooms, community gardens, and gathering spaces, while also addressing major environmental challenges such as flooding, extreme heat, and air pollution.

Project Goals:

1.  Strengthen community/environment connections through green and recreational spaces.
2. Mitigate heat and air pollution with native landscaping, tree groves, pollinator meadows, and end ruin gardens.
3. Reduce flood risk using flood-tolerant landscaping and green infrastructure.
4. Support public health, mental wellbeing, and economic resilience through services offered in partnership with the Amaral Building Community Center.
5. Foster learning, leadership, and cultural engagement through outdoor education and community events.

The Town and Stoss Landscape Urbanism have completed the Master Plan for Valley Falls Heritage Park, shaped by strong community input. The design has been broken into feasible phases based on access and funding. This grant would advance the first two Phases from 30%, 60%, and 90% design to Final Drawings and support construction. Phase 1 includes streetscape upgrades, a raised crosswalk, an entry plaza with an outdoor classroom terrace, and a pollinator garden that also aids in stormwater infiltration. Phase 2 focuses on the island, featuring a shaded picnic area, a heat-absorbing deck, and open green space for groundwater recharge.