a new park!

A park near Codman Square has been completely renovated - see this information from a recent Dorchester Historical Society announcement (I am so pleased! I know Rev. Loesch - he deserves this and many other accolades!)
The City of Boston will officially re-name Dorchester's Wainwright Park (or Cronin Playground) as the Rev. Loesch Family Park on July 7, 2012.

The land that is now the play ground was part of the 17th century "Great Lots", an area that was bounded on the north by Field's Corner, on the east by Adams Street, on the south by Lower Mills and on the west by Washington Street. Early settlers received grants of land from the town of approximately 16 acres each within the area of the Great Lots for their planting fields. This land was almost completely agricultural until after the Revolution. Over the course of the 19th century, the town’s population expanded, and development occurred around commercial nodes like nearby Codman Square.

In the 18th century a mansion was built at the corner of the Upper Road (Washington Street) and what is now Welles Avenue.
The mansion was acquired in the 19th century by the Welles family, and the land extended from Washington Street to the land where the play ground is located. The land that is now the play ground was part of the estate owned by George Derby Welles, and this land, like the rest of Welles’ land on Ashmont Hill, was planned for subdivision – a plan of lots appears in the atlases from 1889, 1894 and 1898.

Ashmont Play Ground - Wainwright Street was named in 1899, and at the same time the city took the land for the Ashmont Play Ground, which was established that year. The street that became Wainwright Street had been known previously as Carlisle Street.

James L. Cronin Play Ground - In 1921 the City Council requested the Board of Park Commissioners to change the name of the playground to the James L. Cronin playground to honor a soldier killed in the World War. A stone memorial in the park recognizes 20-year-old Navy Corpsman Joseph F. Keenan, who was killed in action in Korea.

Loesch Family Park - On July 7, 2012, the City of Boston will rename the play ground in honor of Dr. Rev. William Loesch, in recognition of his service to the Dorchester Community. Festivities start at 11 am at the park with games, face painting, pony rides and BBQ with St. Mark’s parish and Community partners. The official part of the celebration will occur at 2 pm when Mayor Menino, City Councillors Arroyo, Pressley and Baker, and State Representatives Dorcena Forry and Walsh will be present. The newly re-furbished park boasts increased green space, new benches, play equipment, lighting, and bike racks.