All are invited to join Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 7 City Councilor Judy Pineda Nuefeld, Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rubén Carmona, and more to celebrate the official opening of the redesigned West Somerville Neighborhood Schoolyard. The ribbon cutting will take place on Tuesday, Oct 24, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, located at 177 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA

The event will commence with welcoming remarks from Mayor Ballantyne and a short speaking program. Following remarks, the ribbon cutting will take place and attendees will have the opportunity to explore the new schoolyard.

The new West Somerville Neighborhood Schoolyard was envisioned alongside the school community through a comprehensive design and construction process funded through the Community Preservation Act (CPA) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), respectively.

Through the renovation process, the old asphalt schoolyard has been transformed into a state-of-the-art space for recreation and education. The new schoolyard includes modern play structures, a multipurpose turf field, climbing wall and more. The revitalized space also includes 30 new tree plantings and improvements to the area’s stormwater drainage. 

The ribbon cutting will also be recorded and made available for later viewing by the City’s GovTV team. Watch on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613. Videos generally post within one to two business days of recording.   

To learn more, please contact Arn Franzen, Senior Project Manager of Parks and Open Space by emailing Afranzen@somervillema.gov or calling (617) 625-6600 x2545.