Letter: Looking for city commitment to parks

In response to Mr. Lynch’s letter of Jan. 18 (“A Million Priorities for a Million Dollars”), I am writing to express my support for his suggestion that the city use some of the funds from the Assembly Square project for much-needed park improvements in Ward 5. The Trum field house certainly needs work. And I completely agree with Mr. Lynch that the reconfiguration of the basketball courts in Lexington Park is a good idea. The city should find a way to pay for that renovation without requiring neighborhood kids to resort to bake sales.

I disagree with him on only one, minor, point. I do not think that it was a mistake for the city to have purchase a handful of signs clarifying its policy that dogs remain on-leash in city parks. I am optimistic that Somerville can serve the interests of both youths and dog owners in Ward 5. Both groups are active users of Lexington Park and the Community Path, and both groups deserve to be represented in any money the city might spend on improvements to the city’s parks. I look forward, with Mr. Lynch, to the day when the city increases its commitment to maintaining its parks. An increased commitment to park maintenance will allow both sports-playing citizens and dog-owning citizens to better enjoy the open spaces this city has to offer.

Rebecca Rogers