The Boston Parks and Recreation Department recently announced that Walsh Playground, located at 1005 Washington Street in Dorchester, will receive $500,000 as part of a statewide $13 million grant funding initiative from the Massachusetts Governor’s Administration. This funding, facilitated through the state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant program, aims to assist municipalities in acquiring, developing, or renovating land for park and outdoor recreation purposes.
The final design includes a home run fence, team benches, and a scoreboard, creating a premier competition softball field. Construction is set to begin in late summer, with completion expected by late spring 2025, as per grant requirements.
The budget for renovations at Walsh Playground is $3.1 million, including the grant amount. The 6.95-acre park features a playground, basketball and tennis courts, a ballfield, and a wooded area. The PARC grant will be utilized to upgrade basketball and tennis courts, install a universally accessible playground, improve the park entrance, create a lighted walking loop, and plant new trees, water play areas, and shaded spots to address extreme heat conditions.
