MIDDLEBORO — The potential transformation of the former Department of Public Works property at 48 Wareham St. to a public park moved one step closer when Select Board members unanimously agreed to support funding at their Nov. 18 meeting.

Town officials have been working on plans to convert the property, which Town Manager James McGrail described as a “fairly blighted part of our community,’’ into a public park. 

The setting would be especially appropriate, he said, because of its location across from the Thomas Memorial Park. That site, which McGrail described as one of the town’s most popular spots, draws people to watch the herring run. 

Features of the new park could include a canoe and kayak launch onto the adjacent Nemasket River, walking paths, a skate park and a paddleball court.

The total project cost is estimated at $2.5 million.

A letter of recommendation was approved by board members to request $750,000 in funding through the Community Preservation Act, which uses a portion of tax money to help cities and towns preserve open space and historic sites, among other uses.

These funds would cover the cost of demolishing the current structure, construction of 30 parking spaces and an access road to the skate park, riverfront restoration and canoe launch construction and asphalt removal, site grading, landscaping and drainage. 

This would cover about a third of the cost of the project.

McGrail acknowledged this would be a “big ask’’ of the Community Preservation Committee, a group of town residents who oversee the use of community preservation funds, but said funding is available. 

Remaining funds would be covered by a Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant of $495,000 and a donation of $255,000 for skateboard design and construction, and $150,000 in American Rescue Plan money and an $850,000 Community Development Block Grant for the restoration, reuse, design and construction work on the former DPW building. 

The town will apply for the block grant early 2025.

The DPW is currently located at a facility at 65 Sachem St. that opened in March 2021.

The park project is slated to be completed in stages, McGrail said. 

“The redevelopment of the old Public Works site has been a long-standing goal of the Middleboro Select Board and we are proud to support the return of this property to parkland in perpetuity and its expansion of recreational opportunities of recreational opportunities for the Middleboro community,’’ the letter of recommendation reads.