John 'Jackie' O’Brien street hockey court dedicated in South Boston

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department joined the local sports community on August 15 to dedicate the recently renovated street hockey rink at Moakley Park in South Boston in honor of John “Jackie” O’Brien.

Mr. O’Brien’s generous support of the youth sports community and the generosity and compassion of the family business – O’Brien’s Funeral Home – generated a petition drive for the naming of the street hockey rink that was approved by the Boston Parks and Recreation Commission at their June 29 hearing.

O'Brien rink dedication — A stellar group of local dignitaries and a crowd of young athletes joined John “Jackie” O’Brien for the August 15 dedication of the recently renovated street hockey rink at Moakley Park in his honor. Front row: City Councilor Ed Flynn, honoree John “Jackie” O’Brien, and former Vatican Ambassador and Boston Mayor Raymond L. Flynn. Back row: State Representative David Biele, State Senator Nick Collins, and City Councilor Michael Flaherty. (Photo: Christine Brandao)

The John “Jackie” O’Brien Street Hockey Court replaces a street hockey rink on the other side of the park. With input from the community the Parks Department installed new dasher boards and relocated the facility to its present location to increase safety and visibility. More than $310,000 in court improvements included spectator seating, player benches, ADA accessible gates into the court, a handicap parking space associated with the court, and several new trees.