Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the freshly concluded renovations to the Clarendon Street Play Area, a project boasting a $1.945 million investment in the health and happiness of the local tykes and community dwellers. With the snip of a ribbon, Wu, along with Boston Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods and Back Bay residents, ushered in a new era for this cozy neighborhood retreat.
“Just clean our air, cool our neighborhoods, and prevent flooding during storms—they connect us to our communities and one another,” said Mayor Wu about the revamped space, in a statement obtained by Boston.gov. The park's glow-up includes a spread of amenities such as updated play equipment, eco-friendly swings, a water bottle refill station, and the green embrace of over a dozen new trees. And, I bet those trees even provide a fine shade for those earth-toned play structures made for the tots of 2-5 and the slightly taller set of 5-12 year olds.
The Back Bay's little slice of verdant heaven at the corner of Commonwealth Ave dates back to 1977, and the renovations have managed to blend new features while keeping the old soul of the park intact. Integral to the makeover were organizations such as the Boston Landmarks Commission and the Neighborhood Association of Back Back, whose collaboration shaped the park in rhythm with the community's pulse, according to the same statement from Boston.gov.
“We’re so grateful to the community working group of residents, school age children, and horticulture experts that came together to guide the design process for this park,” Ryan Woods reflected, a nod to the collective elbows greased in the park's planning and refurbishment. Delving into the details, the makeover's tab included $165,000 for design and a robust $1.780 million for construction, with Weston & Sampson on design duty and Fleming Bros Inc. taking the construction reins. The design was a crowd-sourced effort involving public meetings and surveys kicking off around January 2021, establishing a true democracy of play.
Community involvement was spotlighted yet again when the event acknowledged the Garden Club of the Back Bay’s Clarendon Street Ginkgo Tree Project, flanked by healthy specimens that have flourished since their 2016 planting. For a hint of history, in 2023, the club had painted and restored the protective fences around these trees, each one wearing a new plaque like a badge of neighborhood honor, the Boston.gov release stated.
It's not just about slides and swings; it's an investment in common ground. The recent upgrades reflect the city's dedication to crafting spaces that encourage growth, not only of its crisp ginkgo leaves but of community roots as well, attested Sue Baker, a NABB board member and a beacon for cooperation in cultivating welcoming communal areas. For the deep dive into all things Clarendon Street Play Area, contact the Boston Parks and Recreation Department or trail their updates like a squirrel after a nut on their social channels.
