Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Superintendent Rubén Carmona invite the Somerville community to join a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Brown Schoolyard on Tuesday, November 14, at 2:30 p.m. Come celebrate and see the new schoolyard features including ADA accessible surfaces, colorful court game markings, a small turf field, seating, garden beds, stormwater management features to prevent puddling and flooding, and more.

The Brown School is the oldest operating elementary school in Somerville and due to limited indoor assembly space, the school’s community utilizes the schoolyard space for activities year-round. This upgrade is the schoolyard’s first modern renovation.

Residents and school staff informed the design via a community-driven process. That input helped create a unique, accessible, and modern space for Brown School students and educators. Funding was provided by the Community Preservation Act, the federal American Rescue Plan Act, and the city bonding.

The ceremony will begin with remarks from Mayor Ballantyne, Ward 6 City Councilor Lance Davis, Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Carmona, and Ward 6 School Committee Member Ellenor Barish, among others. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are encouraged to explore the new schoolyard.

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 and 613. Videos generally post within two business days of recording.  

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