Mayor Michelle Wu joined Dorchester residents on May 12 for a Neighborhood Coffee Hour and the official reopening of Doherty-Gibson Playground at 1545 Dorchester Avenue. The event marked the fifth in Mayor Wu’s 2023 Neighborhood Coffee Hour series and the unveiling of more than $1.2 million in park improvements. The updated park replaced aging play equipment and incorporated feedback gathered at a series of community meetings. 

“Enhancing our parks and playgrounds is critical for fostering safe, engaging and active spaces for our children and families,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to the Parks and Recreation Department for prioritizing community feedback when designing upgrades to this park.”

 “The advocacy of the neighborhood and organizations including All Dorchester Sports & Leadership has resulted in a facility with features chosen with their input and support,” said Boston Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods.

The improvements unveiled by Mayor Wu and Commissioner Woods included new play equipment, safety surfacing, accessible entrances, a water play feature, fencing, site furnishings including tables and chairs in a new plaza providing a community gathering place, and ornamental plantings to provide shade and seasonal interest. The final design prioritized maintaining the existing trees.

“As we move past the isolation of the pandemic, it's clear that our green spaces are vital to the wellbeing of our neighborhoods,” noted Candice Gartley, executive director of All Dorchester Sports & Leadership. “This park will play a pivotal role in providing a restorative place for neighbors to come to reconnect, meet new friends as well as be a place to celebrate this diverse and deserving community.”

For more information and to stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks, call (617) 635-4505, visit Boston.gov/Parks, join our email list at bit.ly/Get-Parks-Emails, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Mayor Michelle Wu cuts the ribbon on more than $1.2 million in improvements to Doherty-Gibson Playground in Dorchester on May 12 with the assistance of local youngsters, community advocates and sports leagues, and City officials including Boston Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods (left).