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.

local green spots - more

Previous posts mentioned Ronan Park, city-owned green acreage looking out over Dorchester Bay, and the state-owned Neponset green spaces. Dorchester also has lots of hidden small garden spots created, maintained and enjoyed by neighbors, like the garden behind the Codman Square branch library. Ashmont Hill residents helped to create this lovely space from a vacant lot a few years ago with the expertise of neighbor Maryellen Sullivan and a Small Changes grant from the city. A group will be there weeding this Saturday, June 27 at 1 p.m.

local green spots in dot [2]

On Dorchester's shoreline, the Pope John Paul Park is another favorite, and running through it the Neponset Greenway is an added bonus to bike or walk the river. More and more folks are discovering this park. Fun free stuff happens here all summer, posted on the Dorchester Enviro Events online calendar.

local green spots in dot

We have great parks in Dorchester: Ronan Park near Fields Corner has a dog walk group and a superb view of Dorchester Bay.

sled dogs on the Neponset Greenway Feb 1st

If you haven't been to this fun event, Mush the Greenway, here is another chance, on Sunday, February 1st, 2-4 p.m. Snow or no snow. Reservations needed for rides.

new park happening

Have been working with a group to build a new playground and park on vacant land near Codman Square. Looks like construction will start this year!