by @BarryRafkind in Beat Reporter, Civic Action, Environment and Open Space, Schools and Youth, Teele Square, Ward 7
Posted on November 9, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Last Modified on November 11, 2010 at 12:54 pm
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Last night, I was the only member of the public to attend a City planning meeting for the renovation of the North Street Playground.
Even Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane was a no-show in favor of a different meeting the same night. The staff there surmised that perhaps many folks were not aware of the playground, or were confusing it with the play structure inside the SHA complex next door. Of course, it didn’t help that the flyer location had the wrong address for the West Somerville Neighborhood School (117 Powderhouse Blvd instead of 177) and although many of the local residents speak Spanish or Portuguese, the flyers were only in English. There was also the PHCS Focus Group meeting in another room at the school, so perhaps some folks decided to go there instead.
Staff also mentioned residents’ concerns about crime and drugs in the park. Apparently, trouble makers keep opening holes in the fence at the back of the park so they can run out if police come by. Perhaps improved lighting will deter illicit activity and make residents feel safer here.
Renovations will be funded by federal Community Development Block Grant funds due to the demographics of the neighborhood. I hope residents will hear about and attend future meetings because we should not give up our chance to determine how this vital neighborhood asset will be transformed.
[photos above were taken from Google maps]
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Thanks, Barry! Did they provide any written specifics about the demographics of the neighborhood, and the amount of CDBG funds allocated for this project?
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They had a Powerpoint Presentation with lots of data, including demographics. The CDBG funds were briefly mentioned without specifics, but I’ll try to find out.
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I asked Arn Franzen, Somerville Director of Parks and Open Space for the PPT and budget number, and here is his response:
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That’s interesting. Thanks, Barry!
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I wanted to go but had a conflict that night. I’d generally assume the best from the parks folks- I have asked them for changes to designs in the past and they have been very responsive. People should stay involved.
Its odd that they won’t release the powerpoint yet. Usually they post it right away. It might be a simple technical issue, but if not it seems very strange.
Having said that, there wasn’t much notice for this meeting.
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Jeff, how did you hear about the meeting and how do you think the meeting could have been better publicized?
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I think it was in a Resistat email.
I’m no publicity expert. If they didn’t flyer the SHA property nearby, that’s something they could have done. Maybe a focused use of the reverse 911 system, although I think that gets a little overused.
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