So, three of us (Leslie from Little House, David DiRocco, who owns a triple decker on Chase St., and myself) met with two reps from DCR (Margie Lynch, director of partnerships and Karl Pastore, director of the Harbor region) on Friday.

The DCR was able to get two grand from Ben Affleck in return for rights to film at the park. They are able to get matching funds for any contributions to the park, so there’s actually four grand for benches, a new coat of paint for the playground equipment, and a late-autumn bulb-planting. Karl also mentioned he would like to
check into new rubbish receptacles–not barrels, but those kind of mesh ones that are pretty common in parks these days. There was no commitment on this, however.

Karl said he would get some inmates on work-detail to scrape paint and prime the playground equipment. Margie suggested a gathering in late September, to paint it. Margie said it would not take many people to do it. Leslie said some of the youths at Little House might be interested.

As for broken fencing, they suggested if anyone knows any union construction workers, we might do some networking with them. If not, I’m sure we can work with DCR on it.

I asked about shrubs, and Margie said the DCR had nothing against the idea of some being planted, but that someone from the neighborhood would have to make sure they were maintained.

Margie encouraged the idea of a “friends of Atheneum Park” group to form a “friends of” partnership with DCR, but that is a matter of interest, organization, and commitment. I think a good first step is to set up a September work-day, and see who is interested in helping out and to what extent and in what capacity.

With just a little TLC I think the park/playground could be improved immeasurably. If anyone is interested you know where to reach me.