Community Corner
Boston Officials, Residents Dedicate West Roxbury Playground to Fallen Firefighters
The playground in Billings Field was named after Lt. Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy.
By Matt Perkins and Marguerite Murray
Officials honored fallen Boston Fire Lt. Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy on Saturday by dedicating the playground at Billings Field in West Roxbury in their name.
The playground was officially named the “Lt. Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy To Lot,” memorializing the two firefighters who died while battling a massive fire in Back Bay in March. Both firefighters had close ties to West Roxbury: Kennedy was a native of West Roxbury and Roslindale, and Walsh resided in West Roxbury at the time of the fire.
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The playground itself officially reopened Saturday, marking the completion of a project with a design budget of $47,000 and construction budget of $451,600 funded by the City’s Capital Improvement Plan.
Improvements to the park included a renovation of the playground and improving existing play structures for 2- to 5-year-olds and 5- to 12-year-olds. Several new play elements and play panels have been added, and a new stand-alone play features include a net climber, spring rider toys, a playhouse, car, and a water play table.
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Today we honor heroes firefighters Lt. Edward Walsh & FF Michael Kennedy @ Billings Field Park. #WestRoxbury pic.twitter.com/dXkUYh5EsH
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) July 26, 2014
Photo Credit: Boston Mayor Martin Walsh via Twitter @Marty_Walsh.
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