WORCESTER, MA — Worcester Housing Authority CEO Alex Corrales and District 1 City Councilor Tony Economou are backing an effort to rename Great Brook Valley Playground Park in honor of baseball legend and humanitarian Roberto Clemente.
Under the proposal, the park off East Mountain Street would become Roberto Clemente Park. The Worcester City Council expressed broad support for the idea during its May 5 meeting, according to WHA.
Economou introduced the petition on behalf of Corrales, who said the change would recognize Clemente’s lasting impact on the Puerto Rican community and inspire local youth who use the park and nearby athletic fields, WHA said.
“This is a small change on paper, but it will have a big impact,” Corrales told councilors. “It honors the past, reflects the present, and invests in the future. It sends a message to our young and most vulnerable youths of what they can accomplish. It shows them what is possible.”
The baseball field at the current Great Brook Valley Playground Park was previously named after Clemente. Supporters say renaming the entire park is a natural next step as the city moves forward with a major renovation project there.
Clemente, a Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder, died in 1972 in a plane crash while delivering earthquake relief supplies to Nicaragua.
Several councilors voiced support for the proposal, including Vice Chairman Khrystian King, District 5 Councilor Jose Rivera and District 4 Councilor Luis Ojeda.
The proposal will now go before the city’s Parks & Recreation Commission, which has final authority over naming city parks.
The park is located near Curtis Apartments and Great Brook Valley Gardens, where many residents regularly use the playground and athletic facilities.
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