Smith playground reopening

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ryan Woods will join Harvard University’s  Executive Vice President Katie Lapp as well as local residents and sports leagues for the grand reopening of Smith Playground.

At just under 15 acres, Smith Playground is a popular park located in Lower Allston with facilities for baseball, softball, soccer, street hockey, and basketball.  The celebration marks the completion of Phase 1 renovations with a total budget of $6.4 million, including $3.3 million funded by Mayor Walsh's Capital Improvement Plan, $2.1 million from the Harvard Allston Public Realm Flexible Fund, community benefits from Harvard University, NHL Hockey is for Everyone, the Continuum project on Western Avenue by Samuels & Associates, and the Boston College Neighborhood Improvement Fund for the recently dedicated General Casey Amphitheater named in memory of Major General George W. Casey.

Phase 1 of the master plan includes a new state-of-the-art playground with splash pad, irrigated multipurpose field for soccer, lacrosse, and other field sports, new street hockey rink and basketball courts with lighting, passive community area, flexible amphitheater for small and large events, Western Avenue frontage improvements, “wheel-friendly” areas designed for use by skateboards and bikes with skate-able paths and walls, Boston’s first pump track, walking paths with pedestrian lighting, and associated utility work.  In addition, the improvements include a gift from Boston Properties: the Daniel DeLue sculpture “Quest Eternal,” formerly located in front of the Prudential Center, and slated to be installed in the park.  Design for Phase 2 of the project (baseball and softball fields) will begin this fall.

The November 2 opening celebration will include refreshments provided by HP Hood LLC, the official dairy sponsor for the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s 2019 park openings.