PEACE PARK REBUILD
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One of the Charlestown Coalition's on-going strategic areas of work is to enhance community's resilience and prevent and respond to traumatic situations that affect the Charlestown Community. One way we do this is to increase community dialogue about racial and socioeconomic inequities in hopes to change the inaccurate perceptions of others and prevent racism and violence.
Last year, the many key stakeholders involved in the Coalition planned and applied for the City of Boston's Love Your Block Grant to revitalize an area in the community in need of love and rebirth. When researching locations in the community it was decided that an unkempt Mt Vernon Street Plaza, which is
dedicated to the life of late Robert McGrath, a beloved Charlestown resident who was tragically a victim of community violence 30 years ago, was the perfect place. The idea was to brighten a dark and dreary section of the community with color and love and create a space where all residents could go to reflect, grieve,
and celebrate the lives of those no longer with us in this tight-knit community; regardless of where they lived in the community, their race, socioeconomic status, religion, etcetera.
If it’s one thing we all have in common, it is that we all want to feel loved and welcomed in our own neighborhood and have safe spaces within. Unfortunately, the Peace Park became a topic of controversy as a few neighbors were unhappy that the park was going to be brought back to life with uplifting
colors and charm. It was mentioned that many of the Mt. Vernon St. residents wanted a parking lot at that location instead and therefore tension arose. However, the Charlestown Coalition used the confrontation as an opportunity to share love and increase project inclusion by asking for more residents to volunteer and get involved. It became such a community interest that a Peace Walk formed in which nearly 100 residents attended a ceremonial blessing of the park and then a community peace walk that passed many areas in the town where community violence had occurred bringing many unlikely neighbors together. Although, recently, it has been brought to our attention that the park has been vandalized, sadly with what seems to be pre-mediated intentions.
This project has meant so much to so many and we believe that this GoFund Me is essential in maintaining the purpose and integrity of the “Peace Park”.Therefore, we have created this page in hopes that once again the community will unite to rebuild this park better and bigger than before. Will you help us!
Last year, the many key stakeholders involved in the Coalition planned and applied for the City of Boston's Love Your Block Grant to revitalize an area in the community in need of love and rebirth. When researching locations in the community it was decided that an unkempt Mt Vernon Street Plaza, which is
dedicated to the life of late Robert McGrath, a beloved Charlestown resident who was tragically a victim of community violence 30 years ago, was the perfect place. The idea was to brighten a dark and dreary section of the community with color and love and create a space where all residents could go to reflect, grieve,
and celebrate the lives of those no longer with us in this tight-knit community; regardless of where they lived in the community, their race, socioeconomic status, religion, etcetera.
If it’s one thing we all have in common, it is that we all want to feel loved and welcomed in our own neighborhood and have safe spaces within. Unfortunately, the Peace Park became a topic of controversy as a few neighbors were unhappy that the park was going to be brought back to life with uplifting
colors and charm. It was mentioned that many of the Mt. Vernon St. residents wanted a parking lot at that location instead and therefore tension arose. However, the Charlestown Coalition used the confrontation as an opportunity to share love and increase project inclusion by asking for more residents to volunteer and get involved. It became such a community interest that a Peace Walk formed in which nearly 100 residents attended a ceremonial blessing of the park and then a community peace walk that passed many areas in the town where community violence had occurred bringing many unlikely neighbors together. Although, recently, it has been brought to our attention that the park has been vandalized, sadly with what seems to be pre-mediated intentions.
This project has meant so much to so many and we believe that this GoFund Me is essential in maintaining the purpose and integrity of the “Peace Park”.Therefore, we have created this page in hopes that once again the community will unite to rebuild this park better and bigger than before. Will you help us!
Organizer
Shannon White
Organizer
Boston, MA
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