Battered bandstand added to Grafton Common renovations

The Grafton Common bandstand, possibly the town’s most beloved landmark, is getting worn down by love — to the point where it may become unsafe.

Andy Deschenes, project manager on the Grafton Common revitalization, discussed adding some unplanned repairs to the structure as part of this summer’s $297,119 historical restoration, which will add brick walkways, hide utilities and add lighted metal archways at each entrance.

“It’s not in good shape,” Deschenes said. “The floor — I’m not sure it should be open to the public much longer.” 

The bandstand was built as a prop for the movie “Ah, Wilderness,” filmed in Grafton in 1935 and gifted to the town by MGM. Since then, it has been featured in countless family portraits, prom night group photos, summer concerts, apple pie socials, speeches, and other activities. While the roof was repaired in recent years, the stage is not only a bit unstable, but it is also inaccessible to people with mobility issues. A ramp has been proposed as part of the work.

Where will the money come from? The Common project was approved at a Town Meeting in 2019 and granted CPC funding. Estimates at that time were more than $600,000 — and the contract awarded to JAM Corporation of Worcester is less than half.

While Select Board member Mathew Often admitted he “didn’t love” the idea of using the CPC funds on an item not included in the original project passed Town Meeting, he said fixing “the gazebo” (Graftonites are mixed on whether the structure is a “bandstand” or a “gazebo”) is needed. Select Board member Ray Mead believed the fix was within the project’s scope and suggested meeting with the CPC on the change.

The Common renovations will shut down most of the historical district park for July and August, but Deschenes said there will be some limited use allowed.

“The Common is not going to be shut down to the public,” he said. “There’s no way we can do that.”

The overall project, passed by Town Meeting in 2019, includes:

• Replacing the asphalt pathways with brick
• Moving utilities underground and removing an unattractive pole and junction box
• Expanding the brick area in the center of the Common to create a half circle
• Removing the old, haphazardly placed benches and replacing with an increased number of historic-style benches
• Installing lighted metal archways at each entrance to the Common, a former key feature
• Repairing and repainting the bandstand and fence railings
• Replacing the invasive Norway maples with more accurate species, such as red maples
• Adding additional trees to replace those that are missing.

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