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Annual Report (DOCUMENT 16—1972) ANNUAL REPORT of the PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT for the YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1971 BOSTON, December 31, 1971 HON. KEVIN H. WHITE Mayor of Boston. DEAR SIR: In accordance with Section 15 of Chapter 185, Acts of 1875, the Parks and Recreation Commission herewith submits its annual report for the year 1971. Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH E. CURTIS, Chairman, Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. SIMON C. FIREMAN, j. leo McCarthy, WILLIAM SCOTT, JAMES P. SULLIVAN, Associate Commissioners. PETER G. MEADE, GEORGE J. TAYLOR, Assistant Commissioners. 1 — 3 %• CITY DOCUMENT NO. 16 Introduction / • The Department of Parks and Recreation had its beginning with the appointment of the first Board of Park Commissioners on July 8, 1875, under the title "Pirk Department." The Board consisted of three members who served without compen- sation. As thus constituted, the department continued up to 1913, when by provision of Chapter 10, Ordinances of 19i2, it was merged with the Public Grounds, Bath and Music Departments, under the name of Park and Recreation Depart- ment. The Commissioners were appointed by the Mayor for a term of three years, one term expiring each year. The Chair- man was a paid city official, in charge of the operation of the department. The other two members served without compen- sation. In 1920 the Cemetery Department was merged with the Park and Recreation Department, and the title was changed to Park Department. On May 1, I95h, the Department became the Parks and Recreation Department under the provisions of Chapter 2, Ordinances of 195U. The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners was increased to five members. Under the latest ordinance, the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation becomes the active head of the department with power of authority far beyond that which existed when the Board consisted of three members (Section 36-U2, inclusive, Chapter 2, Ordinances of 195U). The Commissioners meet as required on call from the Chairman. The department is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of approximately 2,300 acres of parks and olay- grounds. Included in this area are the following facilities: 12^ playgrounds and play areas, li7 of vhich have field houses; 20 parks, large and small; 2 service yards contain- ing offices, mechanics' shops, storehouse, and garage; a recreation office building; 13 indoor recreation centers; 16 public bathhouses; 2 public golf courses (18 holes) both with clubhouses; 3 public bathing beaches with bathhouses in which are 2 solaria; h swimming pools (2 indoor and 2 out- door) and k portable pools; 82 public squares; 16 green- houses; 19 cemeteries (3 active, 16 inactive or historic); 108 miles of parkways, driveways, walks, and Daths; 131 acres of ponds and rivers; and the care and maintenance of all trees on city streets, parks, and playgrounds (1966 Statis- tics). The department organizes, promotes, and conducts a city- wide recreation program for all age groups with special emphasis on youth programs. This report summarizes briefly the efforts of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the staff of the department to 2 PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT maintain a high standard in essential services and to expand the facilities of our park system to meet the needs of the department within our appropriation allowances. In this report there is no particular attention given to the extensive maintenance responsibilities of the Parks and Recreation Department. Reference to the introductory section of this report will indicate the large number of areas, buildings, etc., that require most of the time of our staff. It should be apparent that much of our appropriation is expended for the maintenance—and improvement of parks, gardens, park and recr^Cion buildings, mechanics' shops, golf courses, cemeteries, etc. Proper maintenance is the key to efficient service. We are confining this report to major work accomplished in 1971, all of which is substantially outside Recreation in Boston The demand for recreation activities in Boston is rapidly increasing and will continue to increase during the next decade. By the end of this era, labor will be on a four day week and by the end of the century a four day leisure-time week will be a reality. Emphasis was placed on activities that were demanding and creative and were geared whenever possible to the special interest of participants. During the aopropriate seasons of 1970-1971, 7$00 or nore individuals participated in softball, baseball, handball, basketball, and vollyball leagues and tournaments sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department. The Parks and Recreation Department also maintains two golf courses and continued to run a Junior Golf Program for many youngsters at these facilities. The sailing and boating program sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department proved rather successful and popular with increased participation and quality services. A Boston day camp was offered daily for children 10 to 12 years of age. The day camp was located in Westwood, Massachu- setts. Swimming instructions and competition were offered during all seasons of the year. A recreation program was conducted for both retarded and handicaoped children during the winter months which included sports, games, and handicrafts. During the summer months the recreation program was available for boys and girls at four Parks and Recreation playgrounds. The day camp program for 3 CITY DOCUMENT NO. 16 retarded and handicapped youngsters was conducted at Camp Joy-Cassidy Playgrounds. Boston now has a well established program for these exceptional youngsters. Boston's Parks and Recreation Department recognizes all ages and many oro grams are provided for Senior Citizens to form new friendships and discover new interests. Day long bus tours originating from seven senior citizen centers took citizens on excursions to the seashore. Many special events such as the Mayor's Picnic, Christmas parties, Valentine and holiday parties included the older residents of Boston. Sports programs such as the Boston Neighborhood Hockey leagues continued to expand with at least 2000 youngsters from twelve neighborhood districts, oarticipating in the leagues. Free tennis instructions, clinics, and tournaments were offered during the summer at many of our facilities. A track development program for boys and girls was conducted on a city -wide basis with track meets during the summer months. Boston hosted the Qualifying Atlantic -Richfield Jesse Owens Meet and in track and field, bowling, and basketball. Frisbee and hula-hoop contests on the Boston Common drew many talented participants. The "kite festival" attracted many kite enthusiasts to Franklin Park. The fishing derby again attracted young fishermen to Jamaica Pond. Summerthing took musical, theatre, films, flower planting and handicraft programs to many at the city neighborhood playgrounds and streets. Under cover Boston's Recreation Services were expanded through close cooperation with private agencies (YMCA, Boy's Clubs, Ecology groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.). In the field of conservation, the year 1971 saw many pro- grams of tree planting and clean-up campaigns. The Community School concept became a reality. The °arks and Recreation Department Drovides, after school hours, a recreation program. Swimming instruction and recreational swimming were offered all year round. Basketball leagues, cooking classes, fitness classes, etc., met neighborhood needs and interests. A bikeway for all to enjoy stretches from Boston Common to Franklin Park. Nineteen-seventy-one was a year when a diversity of programs was available for both children and adults. The Boston Parks & Recreation Dept. continued to expand in the areas of both active and leisure recreation. 4 • ( 3 PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT^ MAJOR CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS TO PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES IN 1971 \ 0 ! (? v V FURNISHING ELECTRICIANS AND HELPERS ON AN HOURLY BASIS. Electrical Construction Company, March 30, 1971, $5,613.00. GRASS CUTTING, HEDGE CLIPPING AND CLEANUP IN SPECI- FIED AREAS OF ROXBURY, DORCHESTER, JAMAICA PLAIN & MATTAPAN. Bill's Landscaping Service, June 1, 1971, $31,1*00.22. FURNISHING BUS TRANSPORTATION. Brush Hill Transportation Co., June 22,1971, $U9, 297.00. k. CHAIN LINK FENCING AT PLAY AREA, SUMNER AND LAMSON STREETS, EAST BOSTON, MASS. Ace Fence Co., June 22, 1971, $3,981.00. 5. INSTANT POOL RELOCATION - PARIS ST. PLAYGROUND TO EAST BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL, E. BOSTON. O'Donnell & Egan Const. Co., July 20, 1971, $12,180.00. 6. COMPLETING THE IMPROVEMENTS AT MISSION HILL, MARY HANNON, GERTRUDE HOWES PLAYGRO TTNDS & ORCHARD PARK, ROXBURY n, Donnell & Egan Const. Co., August 10, 1971, $iiU,UUo.oo. 7. DEVELOPMENT OF BURIAL AREAS AT MT. HOPE CEMETERY, WEST ROXBURY. DeRoma Bros. Corp., and Capone Bros., Inc., August 17, 1971, $51,198.08. 8. FURNISHING & ERECTING A SIXTY FOOT SPRUCE CHRISTMAS TREE ON BOSTON COMMON. The Frost & Higgins Co., September 1U, 1971, $3,862.00. 9. FURNISHING & PLANTING TREES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN T^E CITY OF BOSTON. C & A Const. Co., Inc., September 28, 1971, $2U,l52.00. 10. INSTALLATION .OF FLOODLIGHTING EQUIPMENT AT Mc CONN ELL PARK, DORCHESTER. j South Boston Const. Co., September 28, 1971, $138, 798. 8U. 5 CITY DOCUMENT NO. 16 major construction improvements to parks and recreation facilities in 1971 11. site development at quincy and stanley sts., Mclaughlin, oak square playgrounds. Educational Play Equip., Inc., October 5, 1971, $51,693.00. 12. REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF DEAD OR DISEASED TREES IN THE CITY OF BOSTON. Maltby and Company, October 12, 1971, $15,729.00. 13, SITE DEVELOPMENT AT W. THIRD ST., Mc CONN ELL AND PUTNAM PARK PLAYGROUNDS. Educational Play Equip., Inc., October 19, 1971, $8U,875.00. 1U- INSTALLATION OF ACRYLIC PROTECTIVE SHIELDS AND LAMP REPLACEMENT ON FLOODLIGHTS AT VARIOUS GAME COURTS. Electrical Const. Co., Inc., November 2, 1971, $26,329.35. 1$. ALTERATIONS TO DRAINAGE SYSTEM - JOHN H.L. NOYES PLAYGROUND, EAST BOSTON, MASS. Mario Susi & Son, Inc., December 7, 1971, $98,985.00.
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