Adams Park Re-Opens in Roslindale Village Saturday, October 18 with Mayor Walsh and the RVMS Farmers Market

On Saturday, October 18, after an extensive renovation project that further enhances Roslindale Village as a destination to shop, eat, and play, a redesigned Adams Park will be unveiled as the newest economic development trophy in the community. Roslindale Village Main Street (RVMS), Roslindale Green and Clean, and the Mayor’s office and the District 5 City Councilor’s office across two administrations shepherded the project, the latest success story in a community that has undergone massive transformation and revitalization since the inception of the Roslindale Village Main Street program in 1985. The celebration includes the return of the RVMS Farmers Market to Adams Park.

Mayor Walsh will lead the ribbon-cutting at the park from 9-10 am. The celebration will include children’s entertainment throughout the day, featuring Spanish Together, a bilingual musical group for children, and live music at 11am.

Local businesses will donate snacks and breakfast materials for the grand opening with coffee from The Legget Group, pastries from Meetinghouse Bank, dog and cat treats from Pet Cabaret, hot chocolate from Jimmies Ice Cream, Mexican hot chocolate from El Chavo, cookies from Subway, and Italian pannetone sweet bread from Tony’s Market.

New park features include new turf, an irrigation system to ensure its longevity, new concrete sidewalks and a layout that allows more farmers market vendors, a new entrance on South Street, a new electrical system, a new performance area with electrical connections and audio cable that will connect to the RVMS PA system, new benches and shrubs as well as landscaping based on recommendations by Roslindale Green and Clean. RVMS contributed $3,500 for new plantings in the park.

The new central performance space features a gently sloping amphitheater area to accommodate audience viewing from the grass and the installed benches. The shrubs and landscaping are low-maintenance, the memorial urn has been moved and the area around the World War I memorial has also been improved. Plans call for experimental rubber “turf protectors” that will be used in high foot traffic areas while the farmers market is in season.

The project cost, estimated at over $240,000, was spearheaded by RVMS in partnership with Roslindale Green and Clean. The idea to upgrade the park was initiated in 2011 by Carter Wilkie, then president of RVMS and Cynthia Donnelly from Roslindale Green and Clean. Working with Rob Consalvo, then city councilor, and Mayor Menino, the upgrade to Adams Park was included as a line item in the City’s capital budget. Mayor Walsh’s office and District 5 City Councilor Tim McCarthy picked up the reigns and continued to push the project through in 2014. Roslindale Green and Clean ensured that landscaping, plants, irrigation and design were thoughtful and carried out in a sustainable way. Several community meetings ensued to get input from residents, and discuss how to create a showplace park that could accommodate the several thousand people who come to the farmers market on Saturdays, June through November.

The re-opening of Adams Park has also launched new branding for the RVMS Farmers Market. Since Roslindale is one of the most economically and racially diverse communities in Boston, the new branding has been designed to better reflect the make-up of the community. To celebrate the unveiling of the new RVMS Farmers Market logo, a new line of merchandise is available for sale at the farmers market. Thanks to the input from Roslindale residents, there will be infant and children sized T-shirts, insulated lunch totes, pint glasses, and many other products that make great gifts and help show off farmers market pride. All merchandise proceeds support the farmers market.

Future plans for the park include a new Roslindale sign, the installation of potential “up-lighting” on some of the trees, and contracting with an organic landscaping company to re-seed, compost and aerate the turf as needed. The Parks Dept., Roslindale Green and Clean, and RVMS will be working together to ensure the parks longevity. Creativity and fundraising will be necessary to carry out some of these projects. There has been discussion about creating a “Friends of Adams Park” group to oversee the future of the park.

The farmers market, which has been located at the Roslindale Village MBTA station parking lot since June, will be held in Adams Park October 18 - November 22 from 9am-1:30pm. Adams Park is located at the intersection of Washington St and Cummins Highway in Roslindale Village. For more information visit www.roslindale.net or call 617-327-4065.