Stony Brook Playground & Spray Deck Closed Into Summer for Renovations

The Stony Brook Playground and Spray Deck is closed into this summer as the Department of Conservation and Recreation renovates the spot on Lamartine Street. The renovations are being made to address the playground's surfaces and create a more inclusive play area. The project includes:

Installing new soft safety surfacing using poured in place (PIP) rubber within the playground and spray deck

Smoothing and resurfacing the asphalt surfaces around the spray deck and the walkway between the playgrounds

Constructing an ADA compliant walkway

Replacing park benches for better seating

1,611 Views

Parents and Parks and Rec Department Work to Keep Toys at Tot Lot

If you're a parent with young children in Jamaica Plain you probably know about the Brewer Street Tot Lot. It's a great playground with swings, a bouncy seesaw, a structure with slides, benches and tables, and even a permanent sandbox. Before the pandemic, it was full of toys dropped off by community members, but after a public health emergency was declared, the city removed the toys. Seeing the toys be removed was hard for parents to see, particularly the beloved roller cars and tracks. As time went on during the last two years, parents wondered when would the city allow toys to be brought back by residents.

2,135 Views

DCR Playgrounds, Spray Decks and Fitness Areas Now Open to Public

Summer weather is here and now we can all go to Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) spray decks, playgrounds, and fitness areas, after the agency announced they're all open for public use. The reopening is part of Phase II of the state's reopening plan. According to a press release, DCR will conduct "periodic cleanings of spray decks, playgrounds and fitness areas." Signage has also been posted to provide guidance to visitors on proper use. There are nine DCR-run playgrounds/spray decks/fitness areas in Jamaica Plain:

Amory Playground (Amory Street)
Anson Spalding Street Playground (Spalding Street)
Boynton Hall Street Playground (Hall Street)
Corporal Joseph E. Johnson Playground and Spray Deck (Green Street)
Everett Street Playground (Everett Street)
Lorber Family Playground (Jackson Square)
Mission Hill Deck Playground (Tremont Street)
New Minton Street Playground (New Minton Street)
Stony Brook Playground and Spray Deck (Lamartine Street)

The Johnson Spray Deck also recently got a facelift with picnic benches and soft padding replaced the hard concrete by the spray fountains.

2,759 Views
Loaded gun found on Tuesday, April 21, 2015.

Cocked, Loaded Revolver Left Near Playground

Boston Police report that a resident noticed a gun lying on the ground near a Franklin Park playground. The weapon turned out to be loaded and cocked. The gun was found Tuesday about 11 a.m. at the Parquesito de Hermandad, across from 435 Walnut Ave. "The Boston Police Department is grateful that no one was injured by this deadly weapon," police said in a post on their blog, "and reminds everyone, young and old alike, to never touch a gun and to immediately contact police." Police secured the Smith & Wesson .41 Magnum and took it away.

3,285 Views