IN ARTS & MORE in 0 -I u * *1- v U.Mii~ta:-\ ~ g <I> Id M I Z I I- 0 in ~ .... M 1Z,.... ~ u (\J c~ o u <!: ..... I:(/) * c to.:a~ tI:~6 *<i:Z.,_ * .... Id :r: t :f ~a !) Community Newspaper Company www.townonline.com/allstonbrighton AUGUST 4 - 10, 1998 Vol. 3, No. 16 72 Pages Two Sections 50¢ ::tg:fi Folk circle Track project out to bid Brighton A-line work will begin next month By Suzanne Ferreira TAB Staff Writer fter years of being held up by stalled plans, budget delays Aand intense public discussion, Brighton's long-awaited A-line track removal projeet will begin next month. The project, which has been on the drawing board for several years and has been delayed twice in the past year, went out to bid last month. Work is expected to begin immedi­ ately after a construction company is selected on Sept J • ''We've worked very hard on this," said Margaret McNally, c<Xhair­ woman of Cambridge, Washington, Tremont Streets Task Force for Track Removal. "The city and state have been playing hardball with each other. It's hard work, but we plan to perse­ Alicia Kearns (right) and Arielle Kearns participate in a folk dance program last Sunday on the courtyard of the Church of St. Luke's and St. Margaret's in Allston. The vere on this until it's finally done." dance program raised money for the West End House Boys & Girls Club. The project involves the removal TRACKS, page 21 All in the family 1777 while serving in the Revolutionary Prominent figures lend Army, leaving her with the support of a large their names to local sites family, she earned enough to pay the mort­ gage and save the Sparhawk property for her By William P. Marchione children by working with her needle. TAB Correspondent The Champney family occupied a house on ome 75 Allston-Brighton place names the northern side of Washington Street above can be traced to figures of prominence Oak Square. The last member of the family to S in the early history of the town. occupy the Champney homestead was The three earliest families to settle in William Richards Champney, a longtime Brighton were the Danas, Sparhawks and Brighton selectman and town treasurer, who Champneys. Ironically, no Allston-Brighton died in 1884. Champney Street was laid out place name com­ across his property in the 1880s. The second of three parts memorates the Other early settlers who gave their names to Danas, the most prominent of the three families. Allston-Brighton streets include Gardner, The Sparhawk family owned an estate that Griggs, Holton and Jackson. extended from the rear of the present Brighton The Gardner family came to Brighton from Police Station all the way to Western Avenue. Brookline in the mid-1700s. In 1747, the fam­ Sparhawk Street was laid out across this land ily owned 1I0 acres of land in Allston, run­ in the 1870s. A Sparhawk family mansion, ning along both sides of Harvard Avenue (the in built in 1803, still stands near the comer of Roxbury Highway). Gardner Street, which The Parsons House, near the corner of Dunklee and Harriet streets, the 1910s. Sparhawk and Murdock streets. dates from 1841, was laid out across a portion The name Murdock derives from Hannah of this extensive property. Bunker Hill. His circa 1750 residence, the site as the oldest surviving building in Allston. Murdock, wife of Nathaniel Sparhawk III. The most famous member of this family was Gardner homestead, located originally at the Griggs Street and Griggs Place in Allston Brighton historian J.P.C. Winship described Colonel Thomas Gardner, an important politi­ northwest corner of Brighton and Harvard were named for the Griggs family, which like­ Hannah Murdock as a "woman of remarkable cal figure in Revolutionary Massachusetts who avenues, was moved to Higgins Street near wise came to Brighton from Brookline in the ability and energy." When her husband died in died leading his regiment in the Battle of Union Square in the 1850s. It still stands at that NAMES, page 23 Good news for park users "A SECTION WORTH EMPLO 'ING" · see page 3 WORKING see classifieds J Page 2 The Allston-Brighton TAB, August 4 - 10, 1998 www.townonline.com/allstonbrighton BIG SUMMER SALE UP TO 50% OFFI CLUBS& eou{!/Ut a/& We sell, buy and trade seasonal Afull service beauty salon ... dayweor and accessories {no jewelry) CONCERTS Ti"9i;;,..,.,......i in contemporary fash ion. 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II itb price tci.11.s 011(J · tbe Base111enl co1dd allach. ro11 11 ·on ·111r111/ lo 111;,,;,· 011/ on Ibis /mfr 111fiqJI(; ei•e11/. so get a good nigbt :,· s/ee/1 t- come 011do11'11.fi1r011r em1)' 7.jfl l.J/ o/iening! Misses' Designer & Couture Fashions From Famous European & American Designers • Evening wear. career wear & sportswear their orig. prices $ 115-$5, 795 $ 99 our low prices ....................... 49 .sg95 Misses' Fashionable Pant Suits & Skirt Suits From 1\vo Very Famous Sought-After Makers ::::~~~g~~~~~~.~~~~~~~~~ - --····· · · ·· ···· · ··· $129 Misses' Outstanding Career Sportswear Collection From 1\vo Leading American Female Designers their orig. prices $112-$650 s4999 sno999 our low prices................... --'° AStunning Collection Of 100%Silk Scarves From Europe's Top Designers ::::~~~g~~~~~~. ~-~~~~~~~···················· S3999 Special ~30IAM Early Opening! - . U'lllTOi\VN Bo~oN•L oca t ed at Downtown Crossing lTU\tmoN·215·227 ~eedh arn Street FRAMJNGU .l l,f'Cochituate Rd.& Whittier St. DO'W l, l ' LJ l' •Shop SPECIAL HOURS Wednesday, 7:30AM-8PMl ,f.t Wl' •ShopSPECIAL HOURS Wednesday, 7:30AM-IOPM llt\l.U•ShopSPECIAL HOCRSWednesday, 7: 30AM- IOPM Selection may vary hr store. www.townonline.com/allstonbrighton August 4 - 10, 1998 The Allston-Brighton TAB, page 3 New school yard at Rin'ger Park seems likely Final details must be mended landscape architect, Copley Wolff Associates of Boston, in the worked out, but next few weeks. Although the design process is just construction is slated getting started, the scheduled con­ to begin next summer struction start date of next summer is "tough, but doable," said Fishstein. By Judy Wasserman In order to stick to that schedule, the TAB Correspondent project will have to go out to bid fter some delay, the next March. However, a lot has to Jackson Mann School happen before that. For example, complex is several Jackson Mann must now work with A steps closer to having the neighboring community to com­ a new school yard. pile a list of ideas for the school Negotiations with the Boston yard's design, arrive at a consensus, Paiks and Recreation have been suc­ and then work with the architect to cessful , officials of the Union complete the design, Fishstein said. Square complex reported last week. Joyce said that more community This paves the way for Ringer Park, meetings are needed to discuss the which abuts Jackson Mann, to be design. She added that the Jackson used as the new school yard. Mann schoolyard may be somewhat Approval of the recommended land­ unique because it will serve four dif­ scape architect is expected within ferent student populations, in addition the next few weeks. to the neighborhood. The complex Following a series of di scussions houses an elementary school, the lasting several months, Parks and community center, the Horace Mann Recreation officials visfted Ringer School for the Deaf and the North Park and selected an appropriate spot Zone Early Leaming Center. for the new schoolyard, according to Students range in age from 3 to 22. Diane Joyce, administrative coordi­ Besides regular education students, nator of the Jackson Mann there are special needs, blind and Community Center and a member of deaf students. at the facility every day. the school yard committee. Because ''It will definitely be a challenge open space around Jackson Mann is to accommodate all of them in the so limited, Ringer Park seemed to be school yard," said Joyce. the best site for the new school yard. Patrice DiNatale, Horace Mann Janet Fishstein, director of schools principal and a member of the for the city's Department of school yard committee, agreed. "We Neighborhood Development, said must build a schoolyard that is some final details of the agreement inclusive for all students, and we with the Parks and Recreation will work with the architect to Department must still be worked achieve that," she said. out, but that plans are moving ahead For example, the schoolyard to use Ringer Park. In fact, she said should not include any areas where she expects the Public Facilities children would be hidden from view, Commission to vote on the recom- SCHOOL YARD, page 7 CORRECTION Winette Yee takes a swing last Thursday at the newly reopened Shubow Park in Brighton.