Tag: Mike Dorgan

  • City introduces renovation ideas to Penniman Road Play Area at second community meeting

    Belinda Afful

    Planning for the Penniman Road Play Area improvements is underway after the Boston Parks and Recreation Department presented three design concepts at the project’s second community meeting on Wednesday night.

    Held at the Josephine Fiorentino Community Center, this design meeting comes after the first community meeting in September, where residents shared concerns about issues surrounding the park, such as circulation difficulties due to fencing, limited seating, and insufficient organized and dedicated spaces. Based on community input, the city reviewed several designs throughout the fall.

    “One of the bits of feedback we got in the first meeting was that, overall, the park felt a little disconnected,” said Max Sell, a project manager for Boston Parks and Recreation.

    “I think one of our big drivers is trying to make that feel, not so much little pieces but one cohesive park, ” said Sell.

    At the meeting, developers introduced three redesigns of the Penniman Road Play Area: “Refresh, Trade, Shuffle.” “Refresh” involves small changes to the park’s outlay; “Trade” switches the locations of the basketball court and lawn; and “Shuffle” moves the community garden from the middle of the park to the north side. 

    Neighbors discuss renovation concept overviews. By Belinda Afful.

    All concepts will result in the community park’s full refresh in equipment and material, including “maintaining healthy trees” and adding new ones for shade. The project addresses previous complaints, such as including more seating areas and using the park area to “maximize play opportunities.”

    “I love it. It’s about time,” said Kin Chow, a long-time Allston resident.

    Chow believes the renovation on Penniman Road Play Area is long overdue. The play area was last updated more than 20 years ago in 2004.  

    “I think it’ll make it a more welcoming space. Right now, the equipment is showing its age, so if you have new equipment in there, better equipment, I think more kids will come, and hopefully more adults will come as well,” said Chow.

    As the project is advancing through its planning stage, residents believe this renovation will change the perception of Allston as a community of only young adults who are transient, but a diverse community of all generations, including families with children. 

    “One of the issues we have in Allston is that there tends to be a preconceived notion that the only people that live here are young people,” said Mike Dorgan, an Allston resident of 30 years.

    “I think the focus is on a park that has a play area and has attention to children and also not just children but other people as well,” said Dorgan.

    Based on the feedback from the meeting, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will undergo design reiteration throughout the rest of the winter. They are expected to host the third meeting in the spring, where developers will present the basic layout of the chosen concept and ultimately reach their final decision. 

  • ACA Hosts Meet-the-Candidates Event Ahead of Municipal Elections

    Ten candidates for the Boston City Council gathered at the Honan-Allston library for a two-hour meet-and-greet hosted by the Allston Civic Association (ACA) on Wednesday.

    Both candidates running for District 9 City Councilor, incumbent Elizabeth Breadon and Pilar Ortiz, and all eight prospects for City Councilor At-Large were present at the event. 

    Kin Chow and Mike Dorgan, both longtime residents, came to learn more about candidates’ stances and priorities before the Nov. 4 elections. Both said they were looking for people who could deliver fresh ideas. “I would also say somebody that is willing to challenge, but in a positive way,” Dorgan said. “It’s a challenge not for the sake of getting on a soapbox and making noise. It’s somebody that’s challenging because maybe there’s a better way of doing it.”

    Speakers inspired others to consider a future in local politics. “I was really appreciative of the fact that they all dedicated their time to speak to their constituents and talk about issues that matter,” said Jesse Liu, an aspiring public servant. “It just shows that these candidates care about their job in the city of Boston.” 

    Candidates said they appreciated the smaller scale and location of the meet-and-greet. “We got to spend a little bit more one-on-one time with folks,” said City Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia. “And I think that afforded us a better opportunity to connect with people.”

    City Council President Ruthzee Louijuene said libraries bring her joy. “Libraries are a public good,” she said. “Everyone can use them, whether you’re rich, or you don’t have anything.”

    The ACA sponsored the event, which has become a tradition in the community. “One of the missions of the ACA, of course, is to build community […] and it’s challenging,” said D’Isidoro, the association’s president. “There are a lot of people that come and go in our community, and so it’s very difficult, from a civic standpoint, to try to get people engaged and take interest in the community.” 

    Chow, a 30-year Allston resident, said that after the ever-present issues of housing and transportation, the idea that captured her interest was something more fundamental — elevating Allston-Brighton’s place in city government. In terms of city spending, the neighborhood placed last in the most recent budget, despite having the second largest population. The disproportionate investment in Allston has been a rallying cry in the neighborhood’s campaign for a new children and family community center.

    “I don’t want Allston-Brighton to be in the back seat anymore,” said Chow. “We have never been the priority in the city council, and I would like us to be a priority.”