Department of Recreational Facilities, Cemeteries & Trees 508-324-2550 The Department of Recreational Facilities, Cemeteries & Trees includes under its jurisdiction not only Parks, but also two (2) cemeteries (Oak Grove & North Burial Ground) the Tree Department, a summer recreation program and civic events like the July 4th Fireworks & Celebration. Parks, both passive and active, are now and have been a source of pride in the City of Fall River. The main parks of the city are neighborhood landmarks that people identify as the part of the city in which they live. Frederick Law Olmstead, the Father of Landscape Architecture in America, designed three of the city’s parks: Ruggles, North & Kennedy. Fall River residents enjoy twelve (12) main parks and eleven (11) playgrounds, which comprise the basis of the park & recreation system. The Parks and Cemetery Department has approximately two hundred seventy-two acres of land (172 park acres, 100 cemetery) and approximately fifteen (15) miles of median strips (i.e. Eastern Avenue, Brayton Avenue, Plymouth Avenue) as well as eleven (11) greens. We are also responsible for the planting & maintenance of trees that are planted on sidewalks and median strips throughout the City. The Park Department has direct involvement with the “Board of Park Commissioners”. The Board consists of seven (7) members of the community and serves as the departmental appointing authority exercising all powers and duties conferred by law. They also have charge of the maintenance, control and regulation of the use of recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, & trees. Meetings of the Park Board are open to the general public and are usually held on the first Monday of every month in the Park Department Office located at 450 Middle Street, Fall River, MA 02724. Additional information regarding these meetings may be obtained by calling us at 508-324-2550. The Park Department continuously strives to improve facilities and increase maintenance in order to insure access for all citizens to city parks and recreational opportunities for the young, elderly and persons with disabilities.