BOS:311

Park Maintenance Requests

ID
#101000934442
Status
OPEN
Opened
Description
Dear Mr. Mayor and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, My name is Brad Presler. I have been a part of your city for over 3 years. 2 years ago, I was introduced to South End Baseball. Since the passing of the late Paul Rinkulis, I've heard of all the amazing things he did to help keep and get the kids into this very successful program that is free to all who join and that keeps kids safe and off the streets, away from drugs, alcohol, and guns that too many people in our communities take as a way of life. I've heard that it has and will continue to take the work of many individuals to do what Mr. Rinkulis accomplished himself for many years. 2 years ago, when I became a part of this amazing organization, and we lost him, you helped dedicate Paul Rinkulis Way at Peter's Park. It was mentioned that many people would have to step up to the plate to keep what he helped grow alive and well. I'll humbly say that I have tried my best to help with that anyway I can. Whether that being coaching a team or helping Parks and Recreation keep both Jim Rice Field at Ramsey Park and Peter's Park safe and clean for the thousands of Boston and surrounding area youth and their families (and many times, international youth and families) that regularly enjoy the game of baseball and the festivities that go along with it. The current state of Jim Rice Field (Boston's Flagship public ball field) is a state of change. For many years, people and organizations such as the Yawkey Foundation, RBI, South End Baseball, and now The Base have donated money to the city specifically labeled towards the repair and regular maintenance of Jim Rice Field. Now, the change is happening. Contractors have taken up all the infield grass and plan on replacing it with beautiful new, all natural, Kentucky Bluegrass. They're checking the water lines and making sure everything works properly. They're working on checking drains and making sure they drain properly. This is all amazing. What I fear, is the contracting company has informed me that several key areas to keeping the field clean and safe have been removed from the plans or never were a part of them. The first being gates on the dugouts that can be locked with keys given out to those with permits and only those with permits. The reason this needs to be done is simple. Almost everyday I entered either dugout, there was any combination of hypodermic needles, birth control devices, alcohol containers, drug paraphernalia, human fecal matter, cardboard "blankets", clothes used as toilet paper, etc. I have attached pictures of just some of the occasions this has happened. Many times, the people who are responsible for leaving these safety issues behind are still sleeping or still inserting their drugs of choice into their bodies when children at very influential ages show up for games or practices. It has arrived at the point where some of the children are so used to seeing these almost all illegal acts, that they think it's normal. Some don't bat an eye at it. This is hugely disappointing, because we are all trying to point them in the right direction, away from the actions of what is being seen. These acts they see only instigate and propagate kids into thinking people can live their lives destroying their bodies and breaking the laws. What can be done to stop this is simply installing gates on the dugouts. And what better time than now, when the entire field is being reconstructed and there is a crew ready, willing and able to help with this continuing issue (A company named NEDP). On a field maintenance issue, I have been informed there are known drainage issues the contractors have been told to ignore just outside the field confines, possibly connected to the field's system. I fear that if they ignore these issues now, while the field is open and available to be repaired, in less than a year/one season, the amazing job |

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