The North Street Veterans Playground is about to get bigger and better, according to city planners. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Tiffani Westbrook

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Robert Trane hosted a community meeting  to discuss the renovation plans for the North Street Veterans Playground. The proposed design would add approximately 4500 sq. ft. of additional land to the existing park, offering a more inviting and inspiring area with more trees and green space that will be 100% accessible to residents with disabilities.

The meeting, held in the Clarendon Housing Community Room on Powderhouse Blvd, offering translators of Haitian Creole and Spanish, was well attended by both Clarendon Housing residents and members of the local residential neighborhood.

Plans for the new playground, located adjacent to the Clarendon Housing Development, have been in the works for little over two years now. While the city park was passed over this year in lieu of the renovation of another Somerville park, the city anticipates an award of $500,000 in state funding within the next year to undertake the proposed project.

According to Arn Franzen, the renovation plans were motivated by the concerns of the community as well as the city. He explains that, “The main issue is security, but we are also concerned about the making sure the park is functional for daycare children, adolescents and seniors.” The plan includes better lighting, a half basketball court, gaming tables, and a water feature. The activity areas are diverse to accommodate multiple age groups. “This design blends all spaces together with overlapping uses.”

He noted that while the plans are still being tweaked, “People did like the plans which included many items that were requested in previous meetings, but the primary concerns at North Street Playground continue to be safety and security, and people wanted to be assured that the new park would have improved circulation pathways, better lighting, good visibility, spaces for all age groups, and regular police patrols.”

In line with these safety concerns, the new plan addresses the awkward placement of the two park entrances, which force those entering to cut through the sitting area. Franzen says that when groups congregate here it could be “intimidating” for anyone wanting to enter the park. The new park design has four entrances and paths that encourage movement and flow throughout the park.

These public plans can be viewed on the city of Somerville website as well as on a signboard located at the playground site.