Carlisle Center Park
Carlisle Center Park
Carlisle Center Park is owned by the Town of Carlisle and managed by a private volunteer committee known as the Friends
of Center Park (FOCP). The Friends are responsible for maintaining and enhancing the gardens, planning events, fundraising, and keeping the public informed through this website. The FOCP operates under a terms of agreement contract with the town.
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Friends of Center Park, Inc.
Board of Directors
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​President: Alison Saylor (2024)
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Vice President: Open
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Treasurer: Chris Cox (2026)
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Communications: Cecile Sandwen (2025)
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Events Director: Emily Richardson (2025)
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Secretary: Elisabeth Bojarski (2026)
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Fundraising Director: Tammy Douglas (2026)
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Horticulture Director: Alison Saylor (2024)
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Website Manager: Alison Saylor (2024)
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At-Large: Dana Booth (2026)
Highlights
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1974
May: The Town of Carlisle voted to buy the .6 acre site that would become Center Park.
2004
Sabrina Perry, in partnership with the Carlisle Garden Club, developed a fundraising plan to turn the weedy parcel of land next what was then Daisy’s garage into a garden. Initial gifts were in memory of Perry’s late husband, H. Russell Perry, Jr. and landscape architect Pliny Jewell III pledged to support the services of consulting landscape architect Lowell Robinson as a gift to the town.
Sabrina Perry, Center Park founder and manager from 2004 to 2019 spearheaded the fundraising, design, implementation, and early years of Center Park.
2005
The preliminary design was presented to the Carlisle Board of Selectmen. The Department of Public Works began clearing the
site of fallen trees, brush and general debris.
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2006
The final site plan was presented to the Carlisle Board of Selectmen which voted to create Center Park as a collaborative project of the Town of Carlisle and the Friends of Center Park headed by Perry. The garden was inaugurated during ParkFest, a community celebration. The Campaign for Carlisle’s Center Park raised nearly $70,000 within seven months.
2007
Construction and planting began. Landscape designer Maria von Brincken, APLD, developed a five year plan for the garden and supervised implementation. Local growers provided many of the perennials.
Center Park under construction
​2008
The Carlisle Garden Club, supported by a grant from the Carlisle Cultural Council, invited Isabella Stewart Gardner enactor Jessa Piaia, to the park. ‘Mrs. Jack’ arrived in an antique touring car and was welcomed by Garden Club members dressed in period clothing.​
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2010
The park was the site of a rally for Jon Golnik, a Carlisle resident and candidate for U.S. Senate.
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2011
July: In preparation for its fourth birthday, the Friends of Center Park have worked to construct an Internet presence for the park. And, as usual, there will be a birthday party (with its now customary music, ice cream and cake) at the park as one of Carlisle’s Old Home Day events.
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​More background
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Center Park video links:
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Read about Center Park in the Carlisle Mosquito:
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Center Park posts:​
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2012
Center Park’s 5th birthday on Carlisle’s 100th Old Home Day saw Maria von Brincken’s initial five-year garden design nearing completion, with foliage filling in and blooms galore. Music, ice cream, and birthday cake were offered in celebration.
The Ancient Mariners Dixieland Band performs at Center Park's 5th birthday at Carlisle's 100th Old Home Day.
2019
The Friends of Center Park Task Force of volunteers was formed as Perry opted to give up the reins of management. The Friends contracted to work with the Town of Carlisle as park stewards.
2020
Friends of Center Park, Inc. was formed. Free garden classes taught by Master Gardeners of Massachusetts began.