Jackass Park Will See New Designs

The new landscaping designs planned for Jackass Park have been approved by Hingham Selectmen.

The decision to approve the Shade Tree Committee’s designs came after  Hingham Department of Public Works Superintendent Randy Sylvester said the park's additions would cost about $2,000 a year to maintain and would come out of the DPW’s budget.

Hingham resident John Hersey was present at Tuesday’s Selectmen meeting and expressed his concerns with the decision, stating that it would be too expensive at a time where families are struggling.

“Does anyone think of the poor people in town?”  Hersey asked.

Although Selectmen Laura Burns agreed to approve the landscaping plans she shared a similar opinion with Hersey.

“At a time when we are raising taxes .. we shouldn’t use money on landscaping,” she said.

According to Shirley Rydell, the chairwoman of the Shade Tree Committee  the new additions to the park include large maple trees, a perennial flower and shrub bed at each end of the park, and the addition of River Birch, which will have the second pink dogwood in their midst.

The Garden club has offered to pay for the park’s construction and plant materials, but the DPW will  pay for the maintenance of the park, located where Main Street joins with Hersey Street and Hobart Street.

Chairman of the Board John Riley credited the Shade Tree Committee for working hard to enhance the beauty of the town.  Riley recommended boy scouts to weed the gardens.

 “They may do it on a daily basis, and we may luck out,” Riley said.

Selectmen Bruce Rabuffo was also in favor of the new designs for the park.

“The price of beautification is a price that someone has to pay for,” Rabuffo said.  “This is prudent money-well spent.”