Back in March of this year, a resolution was put forward at the City of Somerville Board of Aldermen’s regular meeting proposing that the city rename Otis St. Park to Deanna Cremin Playground, as a memorial to the Somerville resident who fell victim to murder 21 years ago.

Ward 1 Alderman Matthew McLaughlin sponsored the resolution, citing the fact that the park had only previously been named for a street running alongside the parcel, emphasized that renaming the public space in memory of Deanna Cremin would be a fitting honor to the victim of this yet-to-be-solved crime.

Speaking in favor of the proposal, Jesse Clingan, a friend of Deanna’s, spoke eloquently to the Board, telling of Deanna’s love of the outdoors and the way she cared for children, and often took them to the park to play with them.

Clingan has been tirelessly working on getting this rededication done, speaking with area residents and gathering assurances that no one would object to the renaming of the park.

A public park, with all its greenery and human activity, is a good symbol for such a remembrance. A place where natural beauty merges with the affirmation of life renewed.

Those who knew and loved Deanna will gather this coming Saturday to formally celebrate the renaming of the park in her honor. We think that she would be proud to be associated with it.