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Library Park's Long-awaited Renovation Has Been Completed, Pandemic or Not, with Funding from City and State, and Private Donations

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In June and July, with the City still in a lockdown except for permitted construction work, Blade of Grass landscapers and Henry Hafenrichter, a local fencing contractor, completed the multi-year renovation of Library Park. Three years ago, the Parks Department agreed to redesign the park, rather than just repair what was broken (which was just about everything). The most important change, neighbors said in a local meeting about various proposed plans, was that the park offer an open plan, visible from all corners, with a variety of seating arrangements and a welcoming feel.

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After the redesign, no money was left for landscaping the park but a $25,000 earmark from the State, requested by the then-newly sworn-in South End State Rep. Jon Santiago, and supported by our other State Rep., Aaron Michlewitz, came through in January 2020. That allowed FOSEL to contract with landscapers and fencing contractor, get approval from South End Landmark Dictrict Commission, and overcome the additional hurdles of Covid-19 permits in time to spend the State’s money before June 30, the end of their fiscal year. If it had not been spent by that time, the State would have taken back the earmark. Fancy footwork, assisted by knowledgeable employees of the BPL, helped to make it all happen in time. Additional renovation costs were covered by capital funds FOSEL had raised in 2017-18.

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Library Park will only look better as the plantings settle in over the next year or two. They include Veronica, Echinacea, Buddlea, Amsonia, Liatris, Rudbekcia, Carex, Ginger, Ferns, Woodland Phlox, Hosts and Hydrangeas. The butterfly garden along Tremont Street has already shown its lovely colors. A timed drip-irrigation system was installed as well, to help the plants survive the latest drought. And FOSEL’s board has approved additional funding for another round of spring bulbs to make the spring 2021 habit of Library Park as beautiful as it was before. We’re culling the catalogues now, will order in the bulbs in the next week and plant in late fall.

Chances are, when abloom again, we and the park will live in better days.