07/11/2025

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Thomas Ashe, Aquatics Director Joe Federico, and the Parks Department team on Friday morning for the grand opening of the Swan Boats on Porter Lake. Mayor Sarno, Summer Enrichment Education Coordinator Chiarina (“Chiara) Sarno, and Clifford A. Phaneuf Environmental Center ECOS students Shakah and Ivy hopped in the 4-seater Swan Boat and pedaled around Porter Lake for the inaugural ride this morning.

Earlier this summer, Mayor Sarno and PBRM Director Ashe announced the return of paddle boats, a beloved recreational pastime to Porter Lake inside Forest Park. The new pedal-style Swan Boat rentals are now available for families to enjoy this summer on Saturdays and Sundays. Visit the Parks Department webpage for more information: https://www.springfield-ma.gov/park/

“This a fun, active, and affordable activity for youths and families that we are proud to be able to offer here at our beloved Forest Park. This was also a popular date activity back in the day,” said Mayor Sarno. “I deeply appreciate Director Tom Ashe and team for all the hard work and preparation to bring back the duck boats. It certainly brought a smile to my face this morning to be out there on the water with my daughter Chiara and our students from ECOS – who both did an excellent job today on camera by the way. Special thanks to Aquatics Director Joe Federico and team for keeping us all safe near the water, and John Bilodeau and team for installing the safety barriers. There will be lifeguards on duty and life vests for all passengers down at Porter Lake.”

The students described it as a fun experience seeing and hearing all the birds and nature, and noted how peaceful it was.

Mayor Sarno continued “So many of us cherish fond memories of spending time at Forest Park with family and friends – for me growing up, parks, especially Forest Park, were my ‘Riviera.’ Now we have another exciting way to experience the beauty of Forest Park with this recreational boating experience. You never know what natural wonders you may take in when you visit Forest Park – last time we were here we had a visit from a baby deer, today Bobby from 22 News spotted a little weasel hanging out by the lake. These recreational amenities are important and my administration remains committed to continuing to improve and enhance the enjoyment of our beautiful parks systems and we are extremely proud to that we have invested over $100 million our city-wide park system over the past 17 years. Thank you to Parks Director Tom Ashe and team, the Board of Park Commissioners, and our many partners, as well as all who visit our parks, for your continued stewardship of our park system for the enjoyment of current and future generations.”

PRBRM Director Ashe states, “Parks are an important element for every neighborhood, they provide a respite from city life and offer an essential outlet for passive and active recreation. We are the proud custodians of our city’s 735 acre ‘crown jewel’, Forest Park, and remain committed to making various amenities and recreation opportunities available for our residents throughout the different seasons. We are excited to have folks come down and try the new Swan Boats. There are four boats and each seats up to four people. We will have our specially trained lifeguards on-duty down at Porter Lake and will provide life vests to all riders. I am extremely proud of our entire PBRM team, as it is their diligence and passion that create enjoyable and attractive parks. I would also like to thank Mayor Sarno for his steadfast support of our parks system, and the important outlet it provides for families.”

Summer Swim program opening in July at Forest Park and Gerena Pools

Splash into summer with the City of Springfield’s Summer Aquatics Program! City residents will have an opportunity to swim all summer-long for free at Forest Park pool and Gerena Elementary School pool.

The Forest Park pool will be open every day of the week from 11:00 am – 6:30 pm starting Tuesday, July 1.

The Gerena pool will be open to the public Monday – Friday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, also starting Tuesday, July 1.

City residents who wish to participate in free summer public swimming at the Springfield pools, and do not have a valid pool pass, must pre-register and then obtain a free photo ID. Each member of the family must have an ID card to swim. If you have access to a computer, go to www.springfield-ma.gov/secure/pools_reg.0.html and register.

Registration is open now! If you don’t have access to a computer, you can register to receive your pool pass, starting July 1, at the John Shea Bright Nights Building, by the entrance to Forest Park, from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. This is also where you can come in to take your photo and receive your pass. We have to accommodate all of our residents, so waiting lines might be curtailed early to ensure that we finish registration on time.

06/26/2025

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Director Tom Ashe and team, Department of Capital Asset Constriction Director Pete Garvey and team, city and state officials, and neighborhood council representatives joined on Thursday morning at Gurdon Bill Park for the grand opening of the new Springfield Bike & Skate Park.

Gurdon Bill Park, located at the corner of Liberty Street and Genesee Street in the Lower Liberty Heights neighborhood, has been transformed into an age-friendly inclusive community park that includes a splash pad, swings, and a 12,000 square foot skate and bike park for wheeled recreation like skateboards, BMX bikes, inline & roller skates, scooters and accessibility equipment. Motorized equipment is prohibited. Mayor Sarno, city, state, and local officials were thrilled to come together to unveil Springfield’s first public skate and bike park.

State Representative Carlos Gonzalez, City Council President Mike Fenton, City Councilor Kateri Walsh, City Councilor Tim Allen, Matthew McAndrew from Congressman Neal’s Office, Lamari Jackson on behalf of State Senator Adam Gomez, Lower Liberty Heights Neighborhood Council President Gladys Rivera, longtime Lower Liberty Heights Neighborhood Council member Teofilo ‘Teddy’ Alvarado, Robert McCarroll, Juanita Martinez and members of the Community Preservation Committee, Deborah Huber from WalkBike Springfield, Springfield skate and bike community advocate and CPC member Yolanda Cancel, representatives from Theory Skate Shop, GZA contractors who worked on the park design, Mass West Construction who helped build the park, and Pillar Design Studio who worked on the bike & skate park elements design, along with many supporters all joined on Thursday morning at the park for the special ribbon cutting ceremony.

Mayor Sarno states, “Youth development is very near and dear to my heart, emanating from my days as Executive Director of the old South End Community Center. I am proud to state that no administration has done more for youth development and education than my team. Between nearly $1 billion of newly built and rehabbed schools – the most in the Commonwealth, to well over $110 million invested in our parks system, financial support for our community centers and non-profits, to a new South End Community Center, new East Forest Park Library, 5 new athletic turf fields, a new ECOS Center, new spray-scapes, a new Camp Star Angelina, and now a new state of the art Bike and Skate Park. Thank you to my city team, and those who assisted and advocated with my administration to ‘get the job done!’ We are very excited to unveil the new Skate & Bike Park, and hey maybe we have the next Tony Hawk in our midst too!”

The development of Gurdon Bill Park has been a collaborative project between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts/National Park Service Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program and the City of Springfield.  The Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program is a federal National Park Service grant that is administered by the State’s Office Energy & Environmental Affairs.

The Springfield Park Commission unanimously approved a feasibility study to determine the location of the Skate and Bike Park project which was conducted with input from the Springfield community.  An $80,000 grant from the Community Preservation Act funded the study, and initial design grant of $18,500 from Community Development Block Grant program helped secure a major Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. The City of Springfield matched the $1 million LWCF grant, with the total project cost just above $2 million.

Mayor Sarno continued, “Thank you to our dedicated city team for your continued efforts in enhancing and improving the quality of life throughout our city with park and pedestrian safety projects taking place in nearly every neighborhood. Projects such as this are made possible thanks to the collaboration of many departments.  Thank you to our PBRM team previously under Director Patrick Sullivan who was instrumental in working with our neighborhoods to apply for and secure the grants for this project, and now under Director Tom Ashe, along with City Forester Alex Sherman, and thank you to our Department of Capital Asst Constriction led by Pete Garvey, Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan, Deputy Director Tina Quagliato Sullivan, DPW Director Chris Cignoli and team, and also a shout out and thank you to the Community Preservation Committee for funding the study, the Park Commission, who voted unanimously to pursue this project and funding, and to our dedicated neighborhood councils and community organizations WalkBike Springfield, ReGreen Springfield, the Lower Liberty Neighborhood Council, and Springfield’s skate and bike community. We are also grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for their continued belief and investment in our parks and to Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper and team for selecting our Springfield project. I also want to thank Congressman Richard Neal – once a mayor always the heart of a mayor – as well as the National Park Service for their support of our city through this grant assistance program.”

As a component of the LWCF grant, redevelopment of Gurdon Bill Park aims to help mitigate heat island effects for city residents and to incorporate climate resilient design elements where appropriate.

Congressman Richard Neal stated, “This year marks 60 years since Lyndon Johnson signed the Land and Water Conservation Act into law. One of many landmark legislative achievements of the Great Society, it underscored the importance of investing in green spaces, particularly in urban living. Having been an ardent supporter of the Great American Outdoors Act, which permanently authorized funding for the LWCF, I am pleased that this project received $1 million in federal funding. I applaud Mayor Sarno, Springfield Parks Director Tom Ashe, and the entire team at the Parks Department for being great stewards of our city’s green spaces. This is a terrific addition to the Springfield parks system and a fitting tribute to the Bill family and those who laid the foundation for our city’s magnificent 200-year-old park system.”

Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management Tom Ashe states, “Thanks to the leadership and support of Mayor Sarno, we have now invested over $110 million dollars in our parks over the past 17 years. This Bike and Skate Park project here at Gurdon Bill Park has been part of the Mayor’s and Park Department’s vision for many years and we are thrilled to share that it is complete and ready for skaters and bikers to come and utilize. Not only have we constructed the city’s first public skate park, Gurdon Bill now offers accessibility and pedestrian improvements, a splash pad, swings, tree ID tags in the Arboretum area, and improved parking, making it a great family park. Thank you to Mayor Sarno, Congressman Neal, our Park Commissioners, my Parks team, our residents, and to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the National Park Service for your support of this project and our parks system.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Tom Ashe, Executive Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreational Management, cheered on the 3rd annual Westfield Starfires Summer Classic Baseball Game presented by Wellpoint at the newly upgraded Walker Memorial Grandstand baseball field at Forest Park on Sunday, June 22, 2025. 

Prior to the Summer Classic game on Sunday, the Westfield Starfires, who play in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL), hosted a free baseball clinic for area youth and had family-friendly activities including live music from the Frank Manzi Band. White Lion Brewing and Palazzo Café were also on site.

Mayor Sarno threw out the ceremonial first pitch.  

Mayor Sarno stated, “Summer Classic Baseball is returning to our beloved and historic Forest Park! The last few year’s Summer Classic games/events were tremendous and it reminded me of the old days of Sunday afternoon baseball in the park. This year our Walker Grandstand has seen some major renovations and we now have a home-run fence!”

“I want to thank Westfield Starfires owner Chris Thompson and his team for holding their summer classic game for the third time at our iconic Walker Grandstand here in Forest Park. I’d like to also thank Dave Morales and Wellpoint, Ray Berry & White Lion Brewing, and our Parks Department team led by Tom Ashe for all their support efforts too.”

Mayor Sarno continued, “This family-friendly game kicked off with a variety of pre-game events for kids and families of all ages, including a clinic hosted by the players and music by Frank Manzi Band. It was a great game for everyone, especially our young families to come on out and see how great these athletes are and learn from them too at the free skills clinic.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Police Superintendent Larry Akers, Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi, and Tom Ashe, Executive Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreational Management, joined with Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt and team for a special announcement on this year’s Star Spangled Springfield 4th of July Celebration held at Riverfront Park with family-friendly festivities kicking off at 6pm.  There will be face painting, balloon artists, food, vendors and live music as we celebrate our Nation's 250 birthday.  

Fireworks will begin around 9:30pm and will go off the Memorial Bridge thanks to the team from Grucci.  

Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt and her dedicated team, and all of our sponsors and supporters for working together to once again put on our beloved Star Spangled Springfield for our residents.  This 4th of July fireworks display shows the resiliency, hope, faith, and strength of our residents and business community of Springfield.  It is a great celebration that I look forward to with my family each year. Again, many thanks to Judy Matt, all our generous benefactors, especially MassMutual and my dedicated city departments for making this family-friendly event a wonderful and uplifting occasion.”

06/17/2025

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Tom Ashe and team joined today at Forest Park inside the Monkey House to share this year’s line up and schedule for both the city’s “Movie’s in the Park” and “Concerts in the Park” summer event series.

This annual tradition of free public summer entertainment is a great family friendly activity, to enjoy outdoors in our beautiful parks.

The “Movies in the Park” series is the city’s annual summer public movie nights being held in neighborhood parks throughout Springfield with popular family movies being shown on the giant inflatable screen. This year Moana 2, The Wild Robot, and Paddington in Peru will be featured on the giant screen on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights at 8:30 p.m. at park locations throughout the city. The Movies in the Park series provides an opportunity for the whole family to be together under the stars and enjoying time together while watching the big screen. Bring your favorite movie snack and come have a good time! See the full 2025 Movies in the Park schedule.

The Forest Park Summer Concert Series/Concerts in the Park are live music concerts hosted by Springfield Parks Department on Thursday evenings at the Forest Park Amphitheater. Bring a lawn chair, blankets, and snacks! A new feature this year, the Concerts in the Park events will also offer food and beverage trucks. Those attending the concert may enter Forest Park through the Sumner Avenue or the Route 5 entrances for free after 5:00 p.m. on the evenings of the concerts. See the full schedule of 2025 Concerts in the Park performances.

Mayor Sarno states, “I am thrilled to have our beloved movies and concerts returning to our parks. My administration remains committed to enhancing the enjoyment of our beautiful parks systems, and this year’s lineup will bring a lot of enjoyment to family and friends. Forest Park is especially beautiful this time of year and these free, family-friendly movies and concerts are an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the park together. I am so appreciative on PBRM Director Tom Ashe and team for their continued dedicated stewardship of our park system for the enjoyment of current and future generations of Springfield residents.”

06/16/2025

– Westfield Starfires Summer Baseball Classic returning to Forest Park June 22! –

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Congressman Richard Neal, Parks, Buildings, and Recreation (PBRM) Director Thomas Ashe, and Department of Capital Asset Construction (DCAC) Peter Garvey joined on Monday, along with Westfield Starfires GM Chris Thompson and Government Relations Director for Wellpoint insurance Michael Vazquez to unveil the completed $4 million major renovations to the historic Walker Memorial Grandstand baseball stadium and diamond located inside Forest Park.

Upgrades to the historic and iconic Walker Memorial Grandstand baseball stadium facility at Forest Park include improved seating, a new roof, the dugouts and stadiums are now with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA), and the field now has a home-run fence, helping to -establish a comfortable atmosphere for the many baseball games played at this field. Funding for the renovations is made possible by a $3 million Federal Community Project Funding Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and $1 million from the City.

Mayor Sarno states, “Having played more than a few games here as an old catcher that ‘wore the tools of ignorance,’ whether it was in the sandlots, high school, or legion ball, it was a big deal ‘you felt like you were playing in the big leagues!’ Parks Director Tom Ashe and I are grateful for the efforts of Congressman Neal, who once a mayor always the heart of a mayor, in securing these vital federal grant funds. Shout out and thank you to Pete Garvey and the Capital Asset team for keeping the ball rolling on this. The improvements are a welcome addition to Forest Park and will serve the residents of Springfield and surrounding communities, and draw in visitors too.”

Mayor Sarno continued, “We are very excited to bring some life back to this iconic stadium. This stadium is big part of Springfield history and we will proudly honor Garry Brown here too. The new scoreboard will be named in honor of the late legendary sports journalist Garry Brown. Garry was known for his unique talent of never letting us forget our past by tying it to our present and future. It was a big deal to be featured in his Wednesday, “Hitting to all Fields” column.”

In addition to unveiling the renovations, the Westfield Starfires, of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL), announced their free Summer Classic game coming up at the Walker Grandstand on June 22nd, with special activities including the free baseball clinic, live music, and more! This free family event is sponsored by Wellpoint.

“This Sunday’s Summer Classic game with the Westfield Starfires is the perfect opportunity to see the upgrades and take in a great day of baseball and family fun. I want to thank Westfield Starfires owner Chris Thompson and his team for holding their summer classic game for the third time here in Forest Park. This family-friendly game will kick off with a variety of pre-game events for kids and families of all ages, including a clinic hosted by the players – what an incredible opportunity to learn from young professionals! Plus this is an affordable family outing, special thank you to Wellpoint General Manager Dave Morales Mike Vazquez for their support and sponsoring this day of free activities.” stated the Mayor.

Mayor Sarno added, “Being over at Walker Grandstand always reminds me of the old days of Sunday afternoon baseball in the park. I was so surprised and happy today to run into my old friend Vinny Maratea, a fellow catcher in our high school days. Growing up, playing ball and being involved in sports, you make many great memories and lifelong friends.”

From 1978-1981 our Springfield high school D1 Inter-city League catching line up included Vinny Maratea at Tech High coached by the legendary Howie Burns, Todd Ezold over at Classical who went on to play some minor league ball and is a great golfer too, Ed Kenney at Cathedral, Chooch Mascaro at Putnam, and Mayor Domenic Sarno himself for the High School of Commerce.

6/13/25

5/30/25

Mayor Sarno and Parks Director Ashe announce return of Paddle Boats to Forest Park’s Porter Lake this Summer! 

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Thomas Ashe, and Aquatics Director Joe Federico and team joined on Friday morning at Forest Park to announce the return of a beloved recreational pastime to Porter Lake inside Forest Park this summer: paddle boats! At Forest Park’s Porter Lake, the city will once again offer pedal-style Swan Boat rentals this summer. 

Beginning in early July, on Saturdays and Sundays between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., visitors to Forest Park will be able to enjoy a ride around Porter Lake in a four-seater Swan pedal boat. Pedal Boats are first-come, first-served and can be used for half-hour rides on the lake for a $5 per boat rental fee. Specially trained lifeguards will be on duty and flotation devices will be provided for boat passengers.

Mayor Sarno states, “So many of us cherish fond memories of spending time at Forest Park with family and friends – for me growing up, parks, especially Forest Park, were my ‘Riviera.’ We are excited to be able to offer another fun way to experience the beauty of Forest Park with this recreational boating experience, that has a history here on Porter Lake dating back nearly a hundred years. My administration is committed to continuing to improve and enhance the enjoyment of our beautiful parks systems and we are extremely proud to that we have invested over $100 million our city-wide park system over the past 17 years. Thank you to Parks Director Tom Ashe and team, the Board of Park Commissioners, and our many partners for your continued stewardship of our park system for the enjoyment of current and future generations - like the students participating in ECOS that we had the pleasure of seeing today. We had a great moment taking in the sight of a baby fawn." 

PRBRM Director Ashe states, “Parks are an important element for every neighborhood, they provide a respite from city life and offer an essential outlet for passive and active recreation. We are the proud custodians of our city’s 735 acre ‘crown jewel’, Forest Park, and remain committed to making various amenities and recreation opportunities available for our residents throughout the different seasons. I am extremely proud of our entire PBRM team, as it is their diligence and passion that create enjoyable and attractive parks. I would also like to thank Mayor Sarno for his steadfast support of our parks system, and the important outlet it provides for families.”

“We encourage everyone to continue to enjoy their parks, and if you have not visited Forest Park in a while you will notice some improvements like the major Monkey House renovations, the installation of the historic-replica Forest Park picnic pavilion and enhanced picnic grove, the beautiful restoration of the historic Trolley Gazebo right at the main entrance, soon the completed Walker Grandstand, and now the return of pedal Swan Boats on Porter Lake. However, as we were reminded today, nothing beats the experience of being so close and connected to undisturbed natural beauty – we were very fortunate to catch glimpse of a week-old baby deer who was peacefully curled up in a patch of long grass enjoying our announcement today.”

5/29/25

Mayor Sarno, Schools Superintendent Dr. Dinnall, PRRM Director Ashe, and Putnam Principal George Johnson join to unveil new Putnam Football Field

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Dr. Sonia Dinnall, Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Director Tom Ashe, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy (“Putnam”) Principal George Johnson and city and school officials joined at Putnam on Thursday to unveil the brand-new turf football field at one of the city’s largest high schools. Director of Buildings Jon Carignan, Assistant Superintendent Terry Powe, SPS Chief Financial Officer Patrick Roach, Athletic Director Dwayne Early, and Landscape Architect Anja Duffy were also in attendance. 

Mayor Sarno states, “The work being completed throughout our school buildings has had, and will continue to have, a tremendous impact on the learning environment. This is why we wanted to be sure to use ESSR funds to invest in projects with long-term benefits. This makes our 4th turf field along with the two at Central and one at Duggan – before my administration, we had none. We will continue to invest in our schools and work to provide the best learning environments possible for all our students. Something that was also very important to us was soliciting community input and input from our schools staff and administrations for ESSR funding priorities. When we approached Putnam Principal George Johnson regarding the best use of the school’s ESSR allocation, he knew exactly what the students wanted and needed at this location. We are proud to unveil this beautiful field, home of the Putnam Beavers and look forward to seeing students utilizing it as they continue to grow on the field and in the classroom.”

Since the new Putnam High School opened, there was a dream to have an onsite athletic field. During construction, infrastructure was laid in place which would later aid the construction of a new turf practice field. $2.1M of ESSR funding was used to fund the construction a new athletic field at Putnam High School.  Construction began in late June of 2024 and was substantially complete in the late fall of 2024 with final items wrapping up this past spring. 

The City collaborated with school officials and the project design team at GZA to develop a field design that now provides a high-quality practice space, which features state-of-the-art turf, a scoreboard, small seating areas, and advanced lighting and control systems, allowing the school sports teams to practice and prepare for games at a high school level.

The new field was constructed on the grounds of the existing Putnam High School, located on State Street, and is comprised of state-of-the-art athletic turf material. It also features a Musco adaptive lighting system with all necessary amenities to provide the ideal practice environment for high school athletics as well as physical education.

5/26/25

Mayor Sarno, SPS Superintendent Dr. Dinnall, PBRM Director Ashe & Facilities Team highlight HVAC upgrades in Springfield School Buildings 

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Dr. Sonia Dinnall, Director of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management (PBRM) Thomas Ashe, Director of Buildings Jon Carignan, and SPS CFO Pat Roach joined with Principal Robin Sanchez at Warner School to highlight the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) upgrades and new playground at Warner, and school buildings throughout the SPS district. 

This group of school building projects represents the Sarno administration’s continued dedicated efforts to improving conditions in our public schools and enhancing the educational environment for our students and school community. 

Mayor Sarno states, "I want to thank SPS Superintendent Dr. Sonia Dinnall, Parks and Facilities Executive Director Tom Ashe, Director of Buildings and Facilities Jon Carignan, SPS CFO Pat Roach and the team at Siemens for their efforts in upgrading and enhancing our schools.  These improvements will help our students and teachers excel both in and out of the classroom.  Warner is one of over a dozen school buildings that has undergone, or will undergo, HVAC upgrades. Upgrade work at Warner included Dual temp conversion, Automation, Building Envelope, Electrical Upgrade, Chiller upgrade.  I also want to highlight the new playground equipment that was installed at Warner for our students using much-needed ESSER funds." 

At 10 school sites, all existing original HVAC infrastructure was removed and replaced with a modern code compliant system that produces both heat and AC. The new equipment installed meets all of today’s modern standards for ventilation in school buildings. The systems feature high efficiency, condensing boilers, classroom unit ventilators, and air-cooled chillers. At approximately seven additional sites, the city replaced terminal units, including roof, rooftop units, and air handlers to provide gymnasiums with air conditioning.

5/23/25

Mayor Sarno tours Springfield’s Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse Renovations 

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with City of Springfield Parks, Buildings, & Recreation Management (PBRM) Director Thomas Ashe, Department of Capital Asset Construction (DCAC) Director Peter Garvey, Veteran's Memorial Golf Course Manager Rick Lombardi, Franconia Golf Course Manager Steve Carle, and Veterans Golf Course Senior Greens Superintendent Anthony Kowal on Friday morning at Veteran's Memorial Golf Course, located on South Branch Parkway, to tour the completed Golf Course Clubhouse renovations. 

Both of clubhouses at the city’s two public municipal 18-hole golf courses, Veterans and Franconia, have undergone major, multi-million-dollar renovations. On Friday, Mayor Sarno and city officials toured the renovations at the Veteran's Memorial Golf Course Clubhouse and display the renovation work that was done over at Franconia’s Clubhouse as well. 

Park Commissioner Clinton Harris, Director of Open Space Pete Krupczak, Park Coordinator Tom Dougal, Senior Project Manager My-Ron Hatchett, and Project Managers Jessica Lugo and Seamus Warwick also joined to unveil the completed work. 

The renovations at our Veteran's Memorial Golf Course include replacement of the roof, new windows, new kitchen equipment, new finishes, new plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems. The restrooms have also been renovated for accessibility. 

The renovations at our Franconia Golf Course include replacement of the HVAC system, a new electrical service, new kitchen equipment, new finishes in the dining room, kitchen and a new curtain wall. 

Mayor Sarno states, “We continue to receive rave reviews about our two public golf courses, Franconia and Veterans – now the inside of both the Veterans and Franconia Clubhouse’s, which had not seen any major updates since they were built in the 1960s, will match the quality of the courses that my administration recently invested $1 million toward enhancing the quality of play for golfers of all ages and levels. Our public golf courses have been nationally recognized and are quickly becoming a hidden jewel in the region, while also offering some of the most affordable rates in the area.  Thank you to PBRM Director Tom Ashe and team for their continued efforts in maintaining these beautiful and affordable courses.  I’d also like to thank our Capital Asset Construction team under Pete Garvey for getting this project done. Just like our courses, the Clubhouse looks beautiful.”

Mayor Sarno added, “I’d like to give a shout out to Marcus Smith, a former student of mine at my old South End Community Center, who did all the audio-visual work for the Clubhouses – very proud to see him succeeding. Another shout out to the Springfield DPW Traffic team who was out there on South Branch getting work done on our new automated crosswalk pedestrian safety initiative. And thank you to our braved and dedicated SPD for keeping us all safe. Good health and God Bless.”

PBRM Director Tom Ashe states, “On behalf of the Department of Parks, Buildings, and Recreation Management, we are deeply appreciative of Mayor Sarno’s continued, and multifaced investments in our open spaces and recreational opportunities, including our two renowned public golf courses. With 70,000 rounds played at Springfield’s municipal courses each season, our courses and clubhouses are worthy of these capital investments into the open spaces and facilities. When our Veterans Memorial Golf Course hosted the USGA Junior Amateur championship-qualifier for the first time a few years ago, it was first tournament site in the country to sellout. We are proud to be known among visitors and locals for the quality of our public golf courses. I commend our Greens Crews led by Anthony Kowal, who do a phenomenal job in maintaining them, and all our staff who continue to make our public courses right on par with some of the private, less affordable options out there, while maintaining accessibility and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for golfers of all levels.” 

Director of Capital Asset Construction Peter Garvey states, “I was thrilled to be part of this team and work to complete these major and transformative renovations at our two public golf courses, each with its own rich history. We are looking forward to seeing everyone enjoy the new Clubhouse facilities.”

About Springfield’s Municipal Golf Courses 

The 18-hole Veteran’s Memorial Golf Course in Springfield, Massachusetts features 6,350 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 69.3 and it has a slope rating of 121 on Bent grass.  Designed by Geoffrey S. Cornish, ASGCA, the Veteran’s Memorial Golf Course opened in 1964.

The 18-hole Franconia Golf Course in Springfield, MA is a public golf course that opened in 1929. Designed by John Van Kleek, Wayne Stiles and Geoffrey Cornish, Franconia Golf Course measures 6,213 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 118 and a 69.7 USGA rating. The course features 3 sets of tees for different skill levels.

Golf Course website: https://vets-franconia-golf.com/

4/18/25

Mayor Sarno and Parks Director Ashe bring greetings at Springfield Garden Club Annual Meeting & Luncheon at the Monkey House in Forest Park

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Parks, Buildings, & Recreation Management (PBRM) Director Thomas Ashe joined with the Springfield Garden Club (SGC) including President Janine Boland, for their Annual Meeting and special luncheon at the Monkey House in Forest Park on Friday.

Mayor Sarno and Director Ashe appreciate the support of Springfield Garden Club and their generosity toward the Horticulture and Learning Center project in Forest Park. They were honored to join the SGC celebrating a year of success, growth and friendship. 

Mayor Sarno stated, “I always enjoy visiting with our Springfield Garden Club and celebrating the many positive accomplishments we have done throughout our beautiful parks system, especially for our historic and iconic Forest Park. Thank you for welcoming us to your annual meeting. We are proud of our continued collaboration toward the Horticulture and Learning Center and expansion of our flower shows with the SGC which and draws hundreds of people to the Park from across New England. Their upcoming Plant Sale held here in Forest Park at the Monkey House will also be a wonderful showcase of the Garden Club’s beautiful artistry.” 

The Springfield Garden Club will hold it’s Annual Plant Sale Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 9 am to noon in Forest Park, 300 Sumner Avenue, Springfield MA in the old Monkey House.

A spring tradition and the Club’s major scholarship fundraiser, this is not the kind of plant sale that focuses on re-selling plants from wholesale growers. Except for a few donations from generous area garden centers, these plants are from members’ gardens or have been grown from seed specifically for the sale.

Th Annual Plant Sale is a major fund raiser for the SGC scholarship program and a lot of fun for club members and our customers alike. SGC LOVES to talk about the plants they are offering and, with many experienced gardeners and Master Gardeners among the members, they can offer useful suggestions on which plants to buy or answers to some of your gardening questions.

Learn more on the Springfield Garden Club website: https://www.springfieldgardenclubma.org/home

5/16/25

Mayor Sarno and Parks, Buildings, & Recreation Managment Director Ashe join with Springfield Parks & Recreation team for special appreciation luncheon

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “PBRM Director Tom Ashe and I wanted to thank our dedicated parks, facilities and forestry employees for their continued efforts day-in and day-out.  These employees do a tremendous job for our city, taking care of our neighborhood parks and open spaces, our municipal buildings and our trees, and their efforts are deeply appreciated. Our dedicated PBRM team works closely with many dedicated partners like our Springfield Police, Jackson Security, ROCA, and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department to ensure our parks are a safe place to visit with our families. Tom and I wanted to say thank you, and recognize those who continue to support or parks, including Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, Robert Cee Jackson, Soloman Baymon, and Sheriff Nick Cocchi. The little things mean a lot, and although our residents and businesses may not always see them and their work, they are valued and appreciated.”

The Parks Department also surprised Mayor Sarno with an appreciation award and thanked him for is continued support of our beautiful parks system and entire PBRM department.

5/12/25

Mayor Sarno, City & State officials join Parks Commission for unveiling of the Stone Soul Founders Monument at Blunt Park 

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Police Superintendent Akers, State Rep. Bud Williams, and city & state officials joined with the Parks Commission, including retired Park Commissioner, Stone Soul Co-Founder, & Stone Soul Festival Executive Committee Program Chair Jerald “Jay” Griffin, Sr., along with the Stone Soul Monument Honorees for a special unveiling and dedication ceremony for the new Stone Soul Founders Monument at Blunt Park. 

The Stone Soul Festival began in 1989 as a community reunion picnic aimed at gathering together the Mason Square Community. It has since evolved into a three-day festival, which includes the Stone Soul Festival parade kicking-off at Rebecca Johnson School and making its way to the site of the festival at Blunt Park where festival activities continue with food, music, dancing, and family fun entertainment.  It has become New England's largest African American Festival and will celebrate its 36th festival this summer. 

Last summer, during the Stone Soul Festival at Blunt Park, Mayor Sarno, PBRM Director Ashe, and the Park Commission held a special dedication ceremony at the Blunt Park Pavilion to honor the founders and members of Springfield’s Stone Soul festival including Jerald “Jay” Griffin Sr. 

The Jay Griffin Pavilion at Blunt Park was dedicated on Saturday, August 31, 2024 to Jerald “Jay” Griffin Sr. and a commentative monument stone was placed there to honor Mr. Griffin and all the founders of the Stone Soul festival. 

The unveiling of the names of each of the festival founders as well as the Emancipation Proclamation, an important part of Black history in this country took place on Saturday at the monument located at Blunt Park near the Pavilion. 

The Monument Dedication celebration on Saturday reflected the many levels of support Stone Soul, and the Mason Square community has received over the years. During the installation and dedication of the Stone Soul Monument, individuals who have made Stone Soul possible throughout the years will also be honored. 

Mayor Sarno stated, “The Stone Soul Festival, founded over three decades years ago by my old family friend Jay Griffin, is a staple in our community. We are proud to continue to support the Stone Soul festival, which is also one of New England’s largest African-American festivals known for the great entertainment and atmosphere each year at our Blunt Park.” 

He continued, “In addition to supporting this treasured community event, we continue to honor the rich history of Springfield’s Stone Soul Festival with special recognition for the founders and all who help make this festival a success year after year. Special thank you to retired Park Commissioner and longtime community champion Jerald “Jay” Griffin Sr. ‘the Godfather of Stone Soul.’ Jay cares deeply for our community and has been a continuous positive force for our Springfield for decades. It is so meaningful to be able to honor and recognize Jay while he is still here with us to ‘receive his flowers.’ With the installation of “Jay Griffin Way,” last year on Quincy Street where Jay grew up the “Jay Griffin Pavilion” here at Blunt Park, Mr. Griffin’s work to bring our community together will continue to be an example for future generations.”

Today, on Earth Day, our Springfield Parks Department team—alongside the skilled members of our Horticulture Crew—teamed up with students and staff from Springfield International Charter School for a collaborative effort in Forest Park. A big thank you to SICS for joining us. Happy Earth Day!

What an amazing time we had at our 'Fabulous February' event at the ECOS building this past Saturday, March 1, 2025! Huge thanks to our incredible partners for their hard work and dedication in making it a truly memorable event. We couldn’t have done it without you! 

Already counting down the days to next year’s event!

As we reflect on the 61st anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, we remember not only the tragic loss of a young leader but also the enduring legacy he left behind. Kennedy’s vision for a brighter future—marked by a commitment to civil rights, space exploration, and global diplomacy—continues to inspire generations. His call to "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country" remains a timeless reminder of the responsibility we all share in shaping the world around us. Kennedy's leadership in moments of crisis, his ability to inspire hope, and his unwavering belief in the potential of the American people offer a model for future leaders. Though his life was cut short, his ideals and his belief in progress, unity, and public service continue to guide us as we strive toward a better tomorrow.