~ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, along with Interim Parks Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse and other elected officials, gathered with members of the Lower Mills community today to celebrate the grand reopening of Walsh Playground in Dorchester. The park has undergone a $4 million renovation, funded through the city's five-year Capital Plan, to revitalize the space and provide new amenities for residents.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the project, which includes new play equipment, a splash pad, upgraded tennis and basketball courts, improved playing fields, and community areas. Mayor Wu expressed her pride in the newly revitalized playground, stating that it will serve as a vibrant space for community and connection. She highlighted the addition of new tennis and pickleball courts as well as a splash pad for children to enjoy.

The renovated Walsh Playground now features a competition softball field, multipurpose field, basketball court and half court, tennis and pickleball court, colorful play equipment for children ages 2-5 and 5-12 years old, and a water splash pad. In addition to these recreational areas, there is also a quarter-mile walking path, woodland path, updated entrances with improved pedestrian lighting, subsurface stormwater management system, shaded structures for relaxation, and cafe seating.

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Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid emphasized that the ribbon-cutting ceremony was more than just an opening of a park but rather a celebration of what can be achieved when a community comes together. She praised the upgraded space for reflecting the voices and needs of families in the district who helped shape its vision. City Councilor Brian Worrell echoed this sentiment by stating that every community deserves a well-maintained park like Walsh Playground.

The design of Walsh Playground was led by CBA Landscape Architects and constructed by R.A.D. Sports. The project had a budget of $4 million with $400,000 allocated for design and $3.6 million for construction. The majority of the funding, $3.5 million, came from the city's five-year Capital Plan, with an additional $500,000 provided by a Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant administered through the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Interim Parks Commissioner Cathy Baker Eclipse expressed her excitement for the investment in Walsh Playground and thanked all the partners and community members who provided input and collaboration throughout the project. She noted that the renovation strikes a balance between upgraded sports facilities, new play areas, and thoughtful design to create a green and welcoming space for children, families, and neighbors to gather and connect.

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The design and development of Walsh Playground were heavily influenced by community input gathered through public meetings and surveys starting in 2023. Community priorities included new play equipment, preserving the beloved sledding hill, adding a half-court basketball court, incorporating pickleball striping on the tennis court, and enhancing green space. In partnership with the local community softball league, improvements were also made to the field to create a vibrant space for competitive softball.

Ann Walsh, a softball coach with ADSL and RBI as well as a Lower Mills community member, expressed her excitement for the revitalized park. She stated that it will serve as a gem for the neighborhood year-round and is looking forward to seeing young girls hit home runs over the newly renovated outfield fence.

For more information on Walsh Playground or to stay updated on news, events, and improvements in Boston parks, visit boston.gov/walsh-playground or follow @bostonparksdept on Twitter or Facebook. Residents can also join their email list or follow @parks.boston.gov on Instagram for updates.

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