North End infants and toddlers rejoice!
In a piece of good news, the Parks Department replaced the vandalized swing at the DeFilippo Playground (“the Gassy”). Resident Emily Lapkin reported the damaged swing on the Neighbors for Neighbors social network site for the North End over the Labor Day weekend. She found matches around the swing indicating that fire was used to melt and warp the infant/toddler seat.
After reporting this issue to the Mayors Hotline yesterday, the Parks Department responded today with some quick work to get the swing back into action. In addition to appreciation to the Parks Department personnel, thanks also to Nicole Leo in the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services for following up with me and others on the situation. My fellow NEWNC members, Bill Lane and Bob DeCristoforo also helped out on the N4N site and I know calls were made to City Councilor Sal LaMattina. Thanks to all.
As a reminder, the Mayor’s 24 hour hotline is an effective way to get attention to neighborhood issues such as broken park equipment, trash problems, rats, graffiti, potholes and the like. The phone number is 617-635-4500 or you can report it online at www.cityofboston.gov/mayor/24. A tracking number is assigned that can also track the report/repair online.
Nicole Leo is such a star! Hopefully this was not done by a vandal who does not like the sound of kids in the park. But matches? I mean, that points to someone not all there. Scary. People never cease to disappoint.