Summer Draper Pool Renovations Part of Mayor's $1.8 Billion Capital Plan

The five-year plan includes funding for a new accessible playground near Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and other projects across the city.

  The mayor last week announced a plan to invest $1.8 billion over the next five years in capital projects across the city, including a $6.5-million overhaul of playing fields at the West Roxbury Education Complex. Other capital projects in the Parkway slated to happen include the reopening of Flaherty Pool in Roslindale this summer, with a $5.6-million renovation, and construction on the Draper Pool in West Roxbury will begin this summer with a $3.75 million project going forward. At a press conference held May 17 outside the recently opened Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Mayor Thomas Menino discussed some of the 341 projects included in the city’s five-year capital plan for fiscal years 2014-2018—projects that will improve and …

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Sgt. Edward Horgan Jr. Memorial to be Dedicated Today in West Roxbury

Edward Horgan Jr. was a Vietnam War veteran who passed away on July 26, 2010. The memorial will be at Draper Pool.

  A memorial with be dedicated in the honor of lifelong West Roxbury resident Ed Horgan Jr. tonight at the Draper Pool. Horgan Jr. passed away on July 26, 2010, at the age of 64. Horgan Jr. went to war in 1964 and came back to the Parkway after multiple tours of duty and taught countless children how to swim at the Draper Pool in West Roxbury.  Horgan Jr. died of lymphona brought on by exposure to Agent Orange while serving in the Vietnam War. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino is scheduled to attend the memorial dedication tonight at 6 p.m., which is open to the public. Did you know Ed Horgan Jr.? Did he teach you or someone you know how to swim? Tell us about him in the comments section below.

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Draper Pool & Playground Block Party is Tonight

Come on down and enjoy a free cookout, swimming, games and family fun tonight at Draper Pool on Washington Street.

  Tonight kids and families can enjoy a free cookout block party thanks to the Boston Centers for Youth & Families. This year's Draper Pool Boston R.O.C.K.S. Block Party is tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be swimming, games, as well as inside and outside activities.  Now in its sixth year, Boston R.O.C.K.S! (Recreational Opportunities for City Kids) is a coordinated summer programming campaign aimed at connecting Boston youth with programs and activities. Led by BCYF, the signature programs for R.O.C.K.S!!!  are free daily drop-in programs at 10 locations in Boston, including at Billings Field. In addition to these programs, BCYF offers more than 50 summer day camps, dozens of recreations programs and many special events, which …

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10 Things to Know about Boston's Budget

Improvements coming to neighborhood parks, pools and playgrounds.

  The Boston City Council unanimously passed Mayor Thomas Menino's Fiscal Year 2013 operating budget of $2.5 billion at Wednesday's regular council meeting. There is $215 million in new FY 2013 project authorizations throughout the neighborhoods - so let's see what Menino and some of the councilors believe are the highlights to the FY '03 budget, which begins on July 1, 2012.  Overall, the city's budget increased 3 percent over last year, coming in at $2.5 billion for fiscal 2013. That's an annual increase of $72 million. Property taxes continue to be the city’s largest source of revenue, along with hotel, meals and other excise tax revenue. according to city officials. The city’s second largest source of revenue is net state aid from …

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Public Places to Cool Off in the Parkway Area & Boston

Not everything is open yet for the season, but here's where you can head to cool off.

  It's hot out and there are several places in the Parkway area you can cool off. Start with the Draper Pool.  Or try the Ohrenberger or Roche family community centers. And one of the best places to cool off for the kids (and parents) is at the Hynes Playground spray tot lot.  The city's outdoor pools - which include the Clougherty Pool in Charlestown and Mirabella Pool in the North End - are scheduled to open today, when temperatures are expected to be around 75. However, all the indoor pools are up and running, a city spokesman said. The cooling centers are also open, and have the air conditioning on, so residents can cool off at the community centers.  Back Bay, Beacon Hill and the South End are without designated pools or cooling …

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Menino: Draper Pool Getting $3.75 Million Upgrade in 2013

The Flaherty Pool in Roslindale will undergo a $5.6-million renovation, and the Draper Pool in West Roxbury will get a $3.75-million upgrade, with the projects starting early 2013.

  West Roxbury's Draper Pool is slated to get a $3.75-million upgrade early next year. Draper's facelift is just one of several Parkway spots among the 336 projects in Boston's five-year capital plan. Mayor Thomas Menino presented his proposed five-year $1.8-billion capital plan today at Adams Park in nearby Roslindale. “Adams Park is a great example of how our capital plan works to bring people together. With this plan, every resident is within a 10-minute walk to the nearest project,” said Menino. “Just as important as investing in buildings is investing in programs and places where neighbors can come together to have fun and connect with each other. I’m excited that this capital plan makes play a priority.” "Play" is certainly in Boston…

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Some Local Options on Staying Cool During Heat Wave

Cooling centers and pools to stay open until 9 p.m. Call the Mayor's 24-hour hotline at 617-635-4500 for questions about heat-related City services.

Temperatures are expected to top 90 degrees today and the next several days causing Mayor Thomas Menino to issue a heat advisory. City officials are asking residents to take precautions to stay safe and healthy during this hot and potentially dangerous weather.  The City’s cooling centers and pools will operate with extended hours, until 9 p.m., for residents who want to cool off. In West Roxbury that includes the Roche Family and Ohrenberger community centers, and the Draper Pool. The Boston Parks Department also operates 50 water spray features at parks throughout the City, including at the Hynes Playground. “The hot weather has now become steamy weather as higher temperatures and humidity arrive this week,” said Menino. “In these …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: July 20

The City has issued a heat advisory, please take precautions to make sure that you are safe.

Five Things You Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the five things in the comments section.

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Patch Picks

6 Places to Keep Cool in West Roxbury

Today is hot. Really hot. Here are some local options on places to stay cool.

Depending upon which weather forecaster you listen to they will all tell you one thing - today is very hot! So here are some places that you can keep cool in West Roxbury. This is not a ranking, merely six options. Feel free to add other options. The Boston Centers for Youth and Families have three Cooling Centers and Pools in West Roxbury. City officials recommend that you call the locations first before going to make sure they are open.

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Anna Rubin

11:27 am on Thursday, June 9, 2011

How about getting some ice cream at one of the many inviting West Roxbury spots? Check out JP Licks, Local Scoop and iScreamWorks, to name a few.   more ›