Dozens of North End residents joined with Mayor Tom Menino on Friday morning for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated tot lot and wall construction at DeFilippo Playground, commonly known as “The Gassy.”
In a year-long series of community meetings, the City of Boston invested $933,000 to renovate certain areas of the interior North End park located at 135 Prince Street.
Playground improvements include replacement of the existing play structure, new toddler bucket swings, and a seating and gathering area. The fenced area has been enlarged to create a more open feeling in the play area. A new conversation area has also been added along Prince Street for passive recreation.
Wall improvements have opened up the existing brick wall along Snow Hill Street with brick pillars and ornamental metal fencing to increase visibility and light into the park. The wall was redesigned to improve safety within the park and provide increased visual appeal.
The celebration was combined with this year’s Mayor’s Coffee Hour, held previously at Christopher Columbus Park. Many residents had an opportunity to speak with Mayor Menino and Parks Department Commissioner, Toni Pollak.
Residents appeared very pleased with completion of the park’s renovations. Looking ahead, the two issues that appeared to be of most interest at the coffee hour were the need to renovate the “flights” area of the park, a crumbling area leading up to Hull Street and the recent scene of a large underage drinking bust. Secondly, several residents raised the ongoing debate regarding some dog owners that don’t pick up after their pets and use off-limit areas such as neighborhood ball fields. The “flights” area of the Gassy is one area often mentioned for a future dog park.
Speaking at the event were Mayor Tom Menino, Parks Commissioner Toni Pollak, City Councilor Sal LaMattina and State Representative Aaron Michlewitz. City of Boston Project Managers responsible for planning the renovations were Michele Folts and Cathy Baker-Eclipse. The reopening event included face painting, live music by Singer-Guitarist Ron Goldman, coffee from Dunkin Donuts and refreshments by H.P. Hood.
Photos by Matt Conti.
Pleasure to see new renovations and so many children enjoying good safe equipment in a playground !
Good job Boston !
THE IMPROVEMENT TO THE GASSY IS A WONDERFUL
THING AND THE EXTENSION OF THE ELIOT SCHOOL
TO THE NAZZARO CENTER ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT
FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN.
GOD BLESS THE MAYOR FOR THESE GREAT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
WHAT ABOUT THE DRUNKS, THAT DESTROY OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD? WHAT ABOUT THE SEXUAL
ACTIVITY TAKING PLACES IN BOTH RESIDENTIAL
& BUSINESS PROPERTIES?
A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH NOW LOOKS
MORE LIKE THE VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED AND
SODOM & GOMMORAH. LET US NEVER, EVER
FORGET 2011 BOSTON GOT PICKED FOR THE
MOST DRUNK CITY IN THE COUNTRY.
WE ARE LIKE LAMBS GOING IN FOR THE SLAUGHTER.
WE NEED MORE POLICE PROTECTION AND FINES
FOR THOSE DESTROYING WHAT WE CALL OUR
HOMES. THESE FINES HAVE TO APPLY FOR NOT
ONLY RESIDENTS & LANDLORDS, BUT FOR THOSE
PEOPLE ENTERING THE NO. END USING OUR STREETS AND DOORWAYS AS RESTROOMS.
OUR POLITICIANS HAVE TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE
WITH ORDINANCES, THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT
NEW, THEY HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR MORE THAN
10 YEARS. THE VALUE OF PROPERTY WILL
EVENTUALLY GO DOWN, BECAUSE WHO WANTS TO
LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE PEOPLE ARE
URINATING, VOMITING, HAVING SEX AND FALLING
OFF ROOF TOPS WHERE SIGN ARE POSTED,
NO ADMITTANCE, AND THEN SUING THE LANDLORDS
FOR FALLING OFF ROOFS WHILE THEY ARE IN A
DRUNKEN STATE. WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?