President Peter Gill had an idea and unveiled it publicly at a Council meeting: assemble a committee of Winthrop residents interested in helping to improve the parks.
Dawn Sullivan jumped on board [the Parks Committee] immediately, became committee chairperson, and is pleased to report that the committee is making a noticeable impact in the town.
Sullivan said the first park the committee targeted was Pico Park on the corner of Pico Avenue and Francis Street.
“It’s a park that was built over 40 years ago and the playground equipment wasn’t up to safety standards,†said Sullivan. “The equipment has been torn up. The fence around the tennis court has been replaced and the new asphalt surface should be going in during the spring. The town is in the process of purchasing all new playground equipment.â€
In addition to Sullivan, the members of the committee are Dawn Manning, Annmarie Murray, Carlos Brussa, Linda Brassard, Joe Skoczylas, and Barbara Duffy.
Sullivan said the committee has begun a fundraising effort. It is raffling off two pairs of Boston Celtics on Dec. 14. Raffle tickets are one ticket for $5, five tickets for $25.
There are two other fundraising events on tap. The committee is selling bricks that will be placed on a pathway from the entrance to Pico Park to the playground equipment. The smaller bricks are $75 for the first one, $50 for each additional one. The larger bricks are $150 for the first one, $75 for each additional one.
A dinner-dance benefit is in the works for April at the Cottage Park Yacht Club.
Sullivan said that Parks and Recreation Director Sean Driscoll and DPW Director Steve Calla “have been instrumental in working together with the committee to refurbish Pico Park as well talking about the other neighborhoods in Winthrop that need to be maintained and improved.â€