Medfield Students Vote To Name Gazebo Location "Warrior Park"

Medfield Students Vote to Officially Name Downtown Gazebo Location "Warrior Park"

Unique Lesson Engaged Kids in the Election Process

Some elementary school students in Medfield have spoken and Town Hall was listening!

The Medfield Select Board unanimously agreed to adopt Warrior Park as the official name for the town park featuring the gazebo. Students from Wheelock School and Dale Street School engaged in a special lesson that guided them through the election process. But unlike a simulation, students had a contest to make a real decision with a real outcome for the community.

Students initially submitted park name suggestions. A committee then reviewed 87 unique entries and nominated four to the Select Board for pre-approval. The names were chosen on the basis of historical significance, community connection, and youthful charm. They were presented
alphabetically on replica ballots as Friendly Park, Library Park, Minuteman Park, and Warrior Park.

The town loaned the schools four ballot booths and K-8 PTO volunteers checked-in students at a voter registration table where classroom rosters replaced ward lists.

Wheelock School principal Holli Caulfield says that engaging kids in an exercise like this really boosts their inquiry. “This contest was a remarkable opportunity for our students to engage in a
real-world experience of civic involvement. It allowed them to understand the importance of their voice in community decisions. “Students at Wheelock School had the privilege of participating in this unique experience of naming a town landmark, from brainstorming name ideas to casting their final votes. The voting process was simulated using actual voting booths, giving the event an authentic feel. On Community Day, students eagerly lined up to make their selections, learning firsthand about the democratic process. This was more than just an exercise in creativity—it was an empowering moment that resonated deeply with both students and staff, fostering a sense of unity and accomplishment throughout the school community,” Mrs. Caulfield added.

Steve Grenham, principal of Dale Street School, was impressed with how his students understood the responsibility they were undertaking and how they embraced the opportunity. “The Dale Street students were so excited to have a voice in choosing the new name for the town park. They were thrilled to share their ideas and participate firsthand in the democratic process. It was a wonderful way to have the curriculum come alive, empower students, and involve them in
their community at an early age.”

Warrior Park was the favorite choice at both schools garnering 551 out of 741 total votes. Minuteman Park came in second with 89 votes followed by Friendly Park tallying 66 votes. Library Park finished last with 35 votes.

Wheelock School / Dale Street School Totals
Friendly Park - Wheelock 45 Dale Street School 21 = 66
Library Park - Wheelock 29 Dale Street School 6 = 35
Minuteman Park Wheelock 24 Dale Street School 65 = 89
Warrior Park Wheelock 275 Dale Street School 276 = 551

Eileen Murphy, chair of the Medfield Select Board stated, “On behalf of the Medfield Select Board we are pleased to have our youngest residents involved in civic engagement.”

The idea to involve students in the process was proposed by Medfield resident Rick Fink after attending a Select Board meeting to obtain a permit.

“A few of us wanted to infuse some community spirit back into the public discourse and really bring Medfield together," says Mr. Fink. “We needed a permit to have a pizza
party for students at this park. At one of the Select Board meetings, I asked if the park even had a real name because calling it The Park Downtown with the Gazebo Next to the Library was laborious, and calling it Gazebo Park was criminally generic and boring.

“It’s quickly revealed that the park did not have a name! A Select Board member suggested I offer some name ideas at a later meeting and I’m 99-percent sure it was said in jest but I felt like rising to the occasion anyway. So, I proposed giving the responsibility to the kids while sneaking in some learning.”

Mr. Fink was tapped to assemble a committee and was invited into the schools to offer students a short lesson on voting that focused on why it's important, and how the process works.

Medfield historian Richard DeSorgher says Warrior Park is the perfect name and the most popular with the elementary students.

“There could be no more fitting name for this park, located in the center of town and visited by youth and townspeople alike than the name Warrior Park,” said Mr. DeSorgher. “It is with pride, tradition, and honor that this park, overwhelmingly named by the youth of the town, is dedicated today.”

Mr. DeSorgher continued by emphasizing how far back the Warrior name goes in Medfield history, “The name Warrior has been associated with Medfield for over 75 years. Medfield High School sports teams were known as the Warriors even though they originally never had an actual mascot. The letter “M” was used as it is today.

The town purchased two custom signs that now hang from the gazebo’s street-and park-facing sides. Resident Mark Hickey volunteered his time and talent to create a thoughtful sign design that blends in with the surrounding architecture. The signs are approximately 77 inches by six
inches with black vinyl letters on ¾ inch PVC with beveled corners.