BRAINTREE, NEW BEDFORD, MA, ISSUED MARCH 19, 2026…The Peabody Companies (www.wearepeabody.com), a group of award-winning property management and real estate firms now celebrating its 50th anniversary, is thrilled to announce receipt of a $40,000 grant from MassHousing’s Building Community through Arts & Culture program for construction of a playground and basketball court at Bedford Towers in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
The funding will be used to offset the costs of playground improvements, a basketball court, and associated infrastructure at the Bedford Towers, a community for those 62 and older as well as persons with disabilities under age 62. The project is currently in the planning and concept stage, with completion anticipated by September of 2027.
The playground will include swings, hopscotch, four-square grids, and picnic tables. The adjacent basketball court will showcase a custom mural created by New Bedford-based muralist, illustrator, and sculptor Dave Guadalupe, Jr. Working in collaboration with Peabody’s property management team, resident services, and project partners, Guadalupe will develop mural concepts that reflect cultural pride, educational themes, and intergenerational community spirit.
Residents across all age groups will be encouraged to participate in painting the basketball court mural, fence-mounted panels, and additional art installations.
“MassHousing is pleased to partner with the Peabody Companies in its investment in artistic and cultural endeavors at Bedford Towers, which will all add vibrancy, foster a sense of belonging, and strengthen that community for its residents,” said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay.
“We are deeply grateful to MassHousing for this generous grant,” said Melissa Fish-Crane, principal and CEO of The Peabody Companies. “This investment allows us to enhance Bedford Towers in a way that promotes recreation, creativity, and connection.”
The MassHousing grant is a housing stability funding program that supports MassHousing-financed properties that strengthen resident engagement and cohesion through projects that improve the physical environment, reflect and celebrate the diverse cultures of residents, and foster resident collaboration and pride through co-designed and resident-led efforts.
About The Peabody Companies
Headquartered at 536 Granite Street, Braintree, Massachusetts, The Peabody Companies and its affiliates – Peabody Properties, Peabody Resident Services, Peabody Supportive Housing, Peabody Real Estate, and Peabody Miami – represent a legacy of excellence in the real estate sector. Founded in 1976 and led by Melissa Fish-Crane and Karen Fish-Will, this full-service, award-winning real estate firm, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is an Accredited Management Organization (AMO) that oversees more than 16,350 housing units across New England, with additional properties in New Jersey and Florida.
Peabody Properties, a cornerstone of the group, specializes in property management, demonstrating a remarkable blend of quality service and expertise. Peabody Resident Services, a unique arm of the company, underscores a deep commitment to enhancing resident experiences by focusing exclusively on developing supportive services and programs for affordable housing communities.
As a Women Business Enterprise (WBE), certified by the Massachusetts State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA), The Peabody Companies has been recognized for its dedication to diversity and inclusion. This commitment is further evidenced by their ranking on the 2023 National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) Affordable 100 List and their repeated recognition as a Top Place to Work by The Boston Globe in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024.
Discover more about The Peabody Companies’ impactful real estate journey and community-driven initiatives at http://www.wearepeabody.com Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to stay updated on our latest projects and achievements.