Billings Field Playground Reopens July 26

On Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m., Mayor Walsh and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will celebrate the reopening of Billings Field playground at 369 LaGrange Street in West Roxbury.

The park’s playground will be named the Lt. Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy Tot Lot in honor of the two Boston firefighters lost in the Back Bay fire in March.

The ceremony marks the completion of a project with a design budget of $47,000 and construction budget of $451,600 funded by the City’s Capital Improvement Plan.

Improvements to the park include a renovation of the playground and improving existing play structures for 2 to 5 year-olds and 5 to 12 year-olds. Several new play elements and play panels have been added, and a new stand-alone play features include a net climber, spring rider toys, a playhouse, car, and a water play table.

The project also replaced mulch with rubber safety surfacing, including play mounds and colored jumping dots. New belt swings, toddler swings, and an accessible swing were added, as well as new tables, chairs, and benches. Ornamental metal fencing has replaced the old chain link fences along LaGrange Street and between the two play areas. Many plants were added as well, including 22 trees.

Two new firetruck panels will be placed in the play areas. The panels resemble the front of a fire track and are adorned with the Boston Fire Department loho, the names of Engine 33 and Ladder 15, and have interactive elements such as steering wheels and a fire bell. Two park benches will also be named in Walsh and Kennedy’s honor.

The July 26th ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. will include refreshments provided by H.P. Hood LLC, the official dairy sponsor for the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s 2014 park openings.