Hyde Square Teens Closer To Securing Jackson Square Rec Center

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — It's taken some 20 years, but the Jackson Square Recreational Center finally has some legs. Mayor Mary Walsh's administration pledged $2 million toward the project in the past couple weeks, in case you missed it. And thanks in no small part to some teens at JP's Hyde Square Task Force.

The quick update? The project just needs a little more than $6 million to reach its goal of $30 million.

Plans for the rec center were approved by the Boston Planning and Redevelopment Agency on March 17. The plans show pictures of the 75,000-square foot facility complete with indoor ice rink, indoor artificial turf field, computer labs and classrooms.

Urban Edge, a private community organization in Egleston and Jackson Square, is the main developer of the Jackson Square Recreation Center. The Jamaica Plain Community Development Center is also involved.

"The recreational center’s opening on Columbus Avenue and Ritchie Street — as yet unscheduled — will introduce the first year-round ice skating rink in the area since Roxbury lost its Melnea Cass Rink 25 years ago and JP lost the Kelly Rink in 1997," according to the Bay State Banner.

In July this year, Hyde Square Task Force got considerable attention for the rally and press conference they held in which they questioned why TD Garden had not followed through on a deal with the city to help provide funding for things such as community ice rinks and called for funding support, the Globe and several other outlets reported. And they didn't stop there.

Catch up on the issue: Read the full Globe article here: Remember the Hyde Square Task Force?

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