►
From YouTube: Smith Playground Grand Opening
Description
Join in as the community celebrates the completion of $6.4 million in renovations to Smith Park in Allston. Phase 1 of the park's master plan includes: a new state of the art playground, soccer & lacrosse fields, a street hockey rink, basketball courts, walking paths, and a skate park and bicycle pump track. Additionally, Smith Park includes the recently dedicated General Casey Amphitheatre named in memory of Boston's Major General George W. Casey.
A
Our
parks
goals
are
threefold:
we
focus
on
access,
equity
and
excellence
access.
We
want
all
residents
to
make
sure
they're
in
close
proximity
from
their
home
to
the
nearest
neighborhood
that
local
park
and
also
from
make
sure
we're
within
a
DEA
compliance
equity
to
make
sure
we
invest
in
these
parks
and
make
sure
we
have
these
signature
parks
throughout
the
city
and
excellence
that
we
strive
to
have
the
best
park
system
in
the
country
and,
obviously
the
best
parks
throughout
the
city.
This
park
really
is
a
signature
park
and
this
is
just
phase
one.
A
So
to
think
phase
one
is
6.4
million
and
it
has
a
multi-purpose
field
for
soccer,
lacrosse
and
other
fields.
A
new
playground
with
also
has
water
play
passive
area
for
neighborhood
use,
including
a
brand
new
amphitheater
that
was
dedicated
to
general
Casey
right
over
here
to
my
left,
basketball
court
with
lightning
street
hockey
court
with
lighting
our
a
wheel,
friendly
area.
This
is
our
first
ever
in
the
city
pumptrack.
A
So,
within
the
distance
behind
the
skateboard
area,
you
can
see
the
black
tower,
which
is
a
BMX
pumptrack
for
bikes,
and
this
is
our
first
one
that
we're
piloting
throughout
the
city,
all
new
landscaping,
site,
furnishing
and
walking
paths.
So
it
really
is
a
large
investment
and
we
are
fortunate
to
have
great
leadership
with
this
investment,
which
was
led
by
Kathy
Baker
Eclipse.
If
we
give
her
a
round
of
applause,
she
was
our
project
manager
from
the
parks
department
Kathy.
A
A
B
Pegi
Ryan-
and
you
know
this
exciting
day
here-
Mike
authorities
leaned
into
me,
and
he
said:
Brighton
gets
everything
and
then
Kevin
Hahn
and
said
not
enough
and
that
I
want
to.
But
I
know
this.
This
is
a
beautiful
parking
and
before
I
get
into
what
I
want
to
thank
Ryan
in
the
parks
department,
all
the
staff
to
do
an
amazing
job.
B
All
the
planners
I
want
to
thank
the
partners
who
made
this
possible
Harvard,
University,
Harvard,
Austin
public
realm
flex,
funds,
the
community
for
who
pushed
and
make
sure
you
constantly
push
to
make
sure
that
we
beautify
and
create
this
incredible
space
in
our
city,
but
here
in
Austin,
Brighton
Boston
Properties,
who
donated
the
beautiful
statue
created
by
Boston's
artists,
Donald
julu,
which
down
this
down
the
way.
Thank
you
very
much.
We
have
Cara
Elliot,
Ortega
who's,
the
chief
of
Arts
and
Culture
for
the
City
of
Boston.
B
We
have
really,
in
the
last
five
years
focused
on
arts
and
culture
in
the
city.
We
came
up
with
a
cultural
plan.
Many
of
the
community
here
helped
us
with
that
and
all
across
the
city
of
Boston
we're
making
investments.
We
put
a
percent
of
our
capital
into
the
funding
the
arts
in
the
city
of
Boston.
B
It's
something
that
really
has
hasn't
happened
in
the
city
for
for
decades
and
generations,
and
we
wanted
to
make
sure
that,
as
we
think
about
open
space
and
as
we
think
about
quite
honestly,
some
closed
space
as
well,
probably
private,
private
property.
We
want
to
do
more,
Ananse
and
culture
and
having
this
connection,
because
what
it
does
it
allows
conversation
and
has
the
curious
mind
going.
So.
Thank
you
to
all
of
you.
B
I
want
to
thank
Brian
golden
the
director
of
the
Boston
play
and
develop
agency,
who
represented
the
neighborhood
for
many
years
at
the
Statehouse,
which
we
met
and
worked
there
together
and
now
is
doing
an
amazing
job
in
the
city
and
and
I
know
that
the
BPD
a
sometimes
gets
a
lot
of
criticism
for
developments.
But
what
we're
doing
is
it's
about
growth
of
the
city
and
we're
planning
right
now
in
16
planning
processes
going
on
the
city
of
Boston
we're
planning
because
of
the
growth
that's
happened
in
the
past.
B
We
didn't
always
plan
for
that
growth.
The
see
need
knowledge
plan
for
that
growth.
We
didn't
plan
for
the
traffic
we
didn't
plan
for
the
additional
people
moving
into
the
city
of
Boston.
We
didn't
plan
for
the
amenities
we
didn't
plan
for
the
schools.
We
didn't
plan
for
all
of
that
in
the
last
five
years.
We've
completely
changed
that
put
that
upside
down,
so
that
we're
planning
the
city
better
so
that
we
can
move
our
people
around
and
move
people
around
the
city
better.
B
All
of
that
stuff,
not
just
here
in
this
neighborhood
but
throughout
the
city
of
Boston
Marcus,
helps
partnership
with
the
mayor's
office
and
with
the
mayor
in
the
administration,
where
we
have
come
up
with
some
incredible
budgets,
including
the
largest
parks
budget,
consistently
for
the
last
five
years
in
a
row
we
keep
beating
at
year
after
years
on.
Thank
mark
for
you.
Support.
B
One
take
Kevin
hone
and,
as
you
all
know,
we
have
a
housing
crisis
going
on.
We
have
the
middle
class
and
peak
poorer
people
fit
getting
the
squeezed
out
of
the
city
and
Kevin
was
part
of
putting
together
the
largest
housing
bond
bill
in
the
history
of
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
last
year,
and
and
that
bond
bill
is
we're
reaping
some
of
the
benefits.
Now
I
was
satting
to
see
that
money
come
down
from
the
bond
bill,
be
allocated
and
Kevin's
been
a
big
champion
in
housing,
but
also
for
this
community.
He
grew
up
here.
B
He
loves
his
community
I
want
to
thank
Kevin
Honan
for
his
leadership
and
support
here
as
well
and
Michael
clarity,
who's
been
on
the
City,
Council
I
think
almost
the
longest.
He
had
he
took
a
break
in
service
and
he
came
back
and
and
Michael
certainly
has
his
his
pulse
on
the
ground
and
again
when
it
comes
to
open
space
and
in
places
like
the
park
were
in
today.
But
all
the
other
things
we
talked
about
Michael
is
always
pushing
to
make
sure
we
think
about.
B
B
Just
a
few
more
thank
you,
see,
seniors
and
associates
for
bringing
an
incredible
partner
during
the
construction,
creating
a
welcoming
interest
to
the
park
and
half
a
million
dollars
to
the
parks
with.
Thank
you
Peter.
Yet
thank
you.
Peter
for
the
investment
I
want
to
thank
the
NHL
hockey
is
for
everyone.
They
contributed
dedicated
street
hockey
rink
and
honor
Willie
O'ree,
the
first
black
and
intial
hockey
player
played
for
the
Boston
Bruins.
So
I
want
to
thank
thank
the
NHL
for
that
and
my
final
thank
you
right
now.
B
As
the
KC
family,
they
joined
us
here
a
few
months
ago
and
dedicated
this
very
amphitheater
to
Major
General
George
W
Casey.
He
was
an
Austin
native
who
grew
up
right
across
the
street,
gave
his
life
defending
our
country.
We're
always
gonna
be
grateful
for
his
sacrifice
and
I'm
glad
we
can
honor
him,
but
I
want
to
give
a
special
shout
out
to
Bryan
golden,
because
the
story
it
was
talked
about
when
Bryan
understand
out
that
general
Casey
grew
up
here
and
his
story.
He
really
started
to
begin
the
conversation
about.
B
Those
are
the
true
heroes
and
what
were
the
I'm
excited
that
general
Major,
General,
George,
W,
Casey's
amphitheaters
here
and
there's
an
incredible
dedication,
because
for
all
the
young
people
that
come
in
and
play
sports
and
or
walk
through
here,
and
they
look
at
that.
Look
at
that
that
monument
over
there.
They
realized
that
at
one
point,
george
w
casey
was
a
little
kid
in
the
neighborhood
and
he
walked
these
same
streets
and
he
played
on
the
same
streets.
B
He
probably
got
in
the
same
trouble
as
all
of
us
do
once
in
awhile,
and
he
went
on
to
join
the
service.
He
became
a
general
became
a
major
general
and
he
put
his
life
on
the
line
to
make
sure
that
we
as
Americans
and
Bostonians
as
kids
from
Austin
Brighton
have
the
freedoms
we
have
so
again
to
the
KC
family.
Thank
you
very
much.
B
This
pack
is
a
gold
sanded
park.
It
is
something
for
everyone.
People
of
all
ages
and
all
abilities
can
come
here,
enjoy
themselves
pray,
relax,
meditate
whatever
they
want.
We,
as
we
can
also
see
it's,
not
just
people.
We
also
have
dogs
running
around.
So
we
got
the
people
in
the
dogs
taken
care
of
here.
C
D
B
B
But
you
know
this
kind
of
park
is:
is
amazing
in
the
city
of
Boston,
the
kind
of
creativity
and
accessibility
that
we're,
including
in
this
park,
we're
doing
it
in
all
of
Boston's
parks.
Brian
talked
about
the
importance
of
parks.
Boston
has
the
oldest
and
best
park
system.
In
the
United
States
of
America,
we
have
famous
parks
like
Boston
Common,
which
were
making
it
twenty
eight
million
dollar
investment
in
we
have
place
like
Franklin
Park,
we'll
be
making
a
twenty
eight
million
dollar
investment
in.
B
We
have
pocket
parks
and
all
side
streets
in
Boston
to
make
Boston
a
better
place.
In
2014
we
became
here
we
joined.
We
joined
an
organization
to
be
able
to
say
that
we
could.
We
could
have
make
sure
that
everybody
that
lives
in
Boston
and
regardless
of
what
street
you're
on
what
corner
of
the
neighborhood
you're
in
or
a
corner
of
the
city,
are
in
that
you're
less
than
a
10-minute
or
10-minute
walk
to
a
park.
We
accomplished
that
last
year,
every
single
Bostonian
has
it.
B
B
The
green
spaces
support
public
health
and
long
being
they
help
us
bring
our
neighborhoods
together.
They
help
improve
the
quality
of
life
for
everyone.
They
help
improve
part
of
our
response
to
climate
change
as
well,
whether
you
believe
in
not
climate
change.
It's
a
real
issue
and
having
more
green
space
and
more
trees
and
more
places
is
really
important
for
us.
So
we're
going
to
continue
to
make
the
investments
here.
Smith
Park
is
the
newest
example
of
that
parks
like
this.
Are
investments
in
our
communities.
B
I
know
that
today,
before
I
leave
and
almost
leave,
everyone
has
a
different
request
or
a
different
concern.
What
you're
worried
about
some
people
worry
about
traffic.
Some
people
worry
about
housing.
Some
people
worry
about
the
environment.
Some
people
worry
about
education.
The
one
thing
that's
common
is
our
parks
to
make
sure
that
our
parks
stay
first-class
because
anybody
can
use
our
parks.
We
even
let
Republicans
use
the
parks
if
they
want
I'm
only
kidding
to
the
Republicans
out
there,
but
I
want
to
thank
all
the
partners
who
made
this
reality.
B
I
look
forward
to
the
Phase
two
and
to
the
last
one,
the
people
of
Austin,
the
people
that
fought
for
this
park
and
fought
for
the
renovation
this
park.
You
should
be
very
proud
of
your
work
because
it
truly
was
led
by
the
community,
and
it
shows
that
when
community
rises
up
and
works
together
to
move
forward,
something
amazing
can
happen.
Just
look
over
my
shoulder.
Thank
you.
I.
A
A
D
Hey
thank
you
very
much,
commissioners,
on
behalf
of
the
families
of
Austin
Brighton
and
the
residents
of
Austin
Brighton
I
want
to
thank
you
mayor
for
your
extraordinary
effort
here
in
investment
in
our
community
I
thank
Samuels
and
I
also
think
Katie
Lapp
who's
representing
Harvard
I.
Thank
you
for
this
investment.
It's
a
handicapped-accessible
tot
lot
that
all
of
the
children
in
our
neighborhood
can
appreciate
and
use.
I
have
a
women's
basketball
league,
that's
in
its
31st
year,
and
we've
always
played
down
here.
D
I've
also
played
baseball
in
the
Babe
Ruth
leagues
here,
so
I'm
really
excited
as
a
local
resident
that
this
park
is
as
awesome
as
any
Park
in
Massachusetts
and
I.
Thank
the
council
of
flower
T
and,
of
course,
my
dear
friend,
Mark
co-moh.
It's
a
wonderful
legacy
to
mark
as
well
also
I
want
to
joining
the
mayor
and
thanking
Brian
golden
particularly
proposing
for
that
nude
statue
down
there.
That
was
very
generous
of
you
Brian.
D
A
C
Thank
you
for
this
amazing
day
on
behalf
of
President
Becca,
who
couldn't
be
here
today
and
many
of
my
Harvard
colleagues
were
just
thrilled
to
be
able
to
to
to
be
here
to
see
this.
This
amazing
park
being
used
by
all
of
the
community
and
we
really
just
appreciated
being
a
part
of
this.
The
mayor
had
the
vision
of
leveraging
our
community
benefits
for
this
park
and
we
couldn't
have
thought
a
bit
of
a
better
project
to
be
behind.
So
thank
you
very
much.
C
I,
too,
want
to
thank
the
Austin
of
the
Harvard
Austin
task
force,
the
public
realm
flex,
fund
committee,
Brian
golden
and
his
colleague,
Gerald,
alder
or
I.
Don't
know
if
he's
here
today,
but
he
to
really
put
a
lot
of
effort
into
this
and,
of
course,
the
parks,
project
management
team.
The
results
behind
you
are
or
evident,
and
it's
going
to
be
an
amazing
park
for
decades
and
decades
to
come.
I
also
want
to
invite
all
of
you,
the
elston
brighton
residents
right
behind
me.
C
We,
you
can
see
the
tents
going
up
for
Harvard's
Fall
Fest.
We
have
the
men
and
women's
soccer
games.
We
have
a
football
game
against
Dartmouth.
It
starts
at
one
o'clock,
there's
musical
activities
any
one
of
you
that
would
love
to
go.
Please
see
Mark
Hanley,
our
amazing
colleague
from
Harvard
right
back
there
and
in
Austin
resident
he
can
give
you
the
tickets
everything's
free,
so
please
take
take
advantage
of
it's
a
beautiful
day,
beautiful
park
and
activities
right
over
there.
So
thank
you
very
much.
A
Thank
you
Katie
until
and
we
can't
just
celebrate
this
park.
We
have
to
get
back
to
work
this
week,
so
November
6
is
the
first
community
meeting
for
phase
2
Smith
playground,
so
another
multi-million
dollar
investment
starting
phase
2
we're
going
to
be
the
Fiorentino
community
center
on
November
6.
To
start
the
planning
for
that
second
phase:
we're
gonna
line
up
now
to
cut
the
ribbon.