"The Parts & Repair" was days later after the City Council Policy Order for the Tot play structure ONLY. Our Parks Maintenance here in District 1 - Donald Down - needs to get out & walk his area. Here are more issues that are old & on going - see saw,water fountain,Red ADA swing,water sprinkler button,the gap between the blacktop & rubber matting for the sprinkler,missing chain & post tops on poles,missing locking pole at entrance are years old. Here's an email I got - Joe

We had a site visit with Lisa and few residents yesterday morning, after the meeting Seth sent out an email with a recap. Ive pasted the text below.
All the issues you just brought up were mentioned by the group and are being addressed by DPW. See below.

This morning Annette, Mike and I met with
Mr. Kelly Writer, Parks and Forestry Superintendent
Ms. Lisa Peterson, Commissioner of Public Works
Mr. Tim Toomey, City Councillor, and
Mr. Jason Alves, Councillor's Aide
all of whom are cc'ed.

Primary point of contact for issues with this or other parks
is Ms. Cathy Fosher, cfosher@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4885
(also cc'ed).

Also, there is an upcoming meeting of the Healthy Parks and
Playgrounds Task Force; an announcement will go out to ECFG.

Total renovation of the park seems unlikely in the near term,
as A) it's expensive and B) there are several other parks in
Cambridge that are still "old-style" and have higher priority
for renovation.

We discussed various maintenance issues at the park -- details
are below. We also discussed operational issues like whether
dogs should be allowed. Ms. Peterson said that existing city
regulations ban dogs from fenced-in child parks. They might
update the signage to reflect this. We asked that they consult
us on the language used. Residents can ask the city to send a
dog control officer if someone is observed letting their dog
mess in the park.

Trees and bushes: generally OK, they might cut back some of
the excess vine growth.

The hard red swing: apparently it's required by the ADA, and
no "softer" models are available (but KW will check again).

The broken seesaw: they plan to condemn and remove it today.
Replacement parts are on order and they hope to have it back
in operation within a month or two.

The fire-damaged gazebo: the repair delay was due to a parts
backlog from the manufacturer. Repairs are happening today.

No padding around play fountain: they'll think about how to
mitigate this.

Vandalized water fountain: they plan to replace the whole
unit by spring, with cheaper metal (previous bowls, made of
brass, have been stolen for their scrap metal value).

Decrepit play activity on structure: they will look into
replacing the broken parts.

Trash under the trash cans: they'll remind the pickup crews
to check this in future.

Missing chain around tree near fountain: they'll replace it.

Vestigial bollard post at front entrance: they'll remove it.

Best,

Seth

Well let me tell you if this park was off Brattle Street it would get white glove treatment. With so many homes and dense development, East Cambridge pays a lot into the tax coffers of the city. But we are the lesser people, don't ya know. Gold Star Mother's Park was done over but it is poorly maintained. Well how is it that people are billing the city / taxpayers for work that is not getting done. Some things never change.

old issue