Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Executive Director of Parks, Building and Recreational Management (PBRM) Patrick Sullivan, and Director of Capital Asset Construction Peter Garvey joined with city officials, State Representative Bud Williams, representatives from the neighborhood and members of the Bolden Family for a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Samuel Bolden Park yesterday.
The park, located on Wilbraham Avenue, was created in memory of the late Samuel A. Bolden of Springfield who was a strong supporter of youth sports and activities in the city, especially the Mason Square area. Samuel Bolden’s wife Willie, daughter Della Blake, his other children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews along with many neighbors, friends, and community members were present to celebrate the park opening. Archbishop Timothy Paul Baymon offered a prayer and blessing.
Mayor Sarno stated, “Sam Bolden had a big heart, and was always very community-oriented, especially for youth sports. He was dedicated to Springfield and always a community guy at heart and this park, coupled with our other development projects in this area, will enrich and uplift this neighborhood and community, just as Sam did, especially for our youth who I am happy to see are already enjoying use of this park. I am grateful to everyone who came together to achieve this beautiful end result – Della Blake and the family of Sam Bolden, Peter Garvey and our Capital Assets team, Pat Sullivan and the Parks Department crews, Rep. Bud Williams and the neighborhood community, all of the Upper Hill residents and Upper Hill Residents Council President Adrienne Osborne, our Park Commissioners Terry Rodrigues and Jay Griffin, and our City Councilors for their support of this project – thank you.”
Also in attendance for the ceremony was Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, HHS Director of Operations for the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Tony Pettaway, Carolyn Y. Jackson, former State Rep. Ray Jordan and his wife Donna, as well as their daughter Springfield Housing Authority Director Denise Jordan, Springfield’s Director of Disaster Recovery Tina Quagliato Sullivan, City Councilor Jesse Lederman, City Councilor Kateri Walsh, City Councilor Tim Allen, State Senator Adam Gomez, State Rep. Orlando Ramos, Upper Hill Residents Council President Adrienne Osborne, Parks Commissioner Jay Griffin, Park Commissioner Terry Rodrigues, and School Superintendent Daniel Warwick.
