A renovated city-owned park in the heart of Codman Square is turning heads this week as the fences came down and residents celebrated its opening with a Labor Day community BBQ on Monday. The $1 million project, which includes new pathways and a signature piece of sculpture art, came after several years of advocacy from neighbors who worked closely with city officials to design the space.
“We deserve this on this day in the neighborhood in Codman Square,” said Michelle Carter, a long-time resident and also a vendor in the Farmer’s Market that is based in the park. “We’ve seen the transformation here since the 1960s, and I’m privileged to be here with community. To all those that worked so hard to plan this park, it’s doing what it was supposed to do.”
Cynthia Loesch-Johnson, president of the Codman Square Neighborhood Council (CSNC) welcomed everyone led a sparkling cider toast to celebrate the park.
Above, new pathways in the park provide a more open feel, with many trees pruned to allow more light. Seth Daniel photo
The most eye-catching element, perhaps, is the “I Am Codman Sq” sculpture at the Washington and Talbot Street entrance. The piece was sculpted by Destiny Palmer in a collaboration with metalwork artist Alaina Mahoney, who keeps a studio in Providence. It was installed last week, and on Monday both artists were in attendance answering questions about its meaning and the technique used to create it.
Melissa Dagger, Interim Parks Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse, Artist Destiny Palmer, Jeffrey Johnson, Victor , Cynthia Loesch-Johnson, Richard Scott, Vicma Desir, Artist Alaina Mahoney, Rev. Victor Price, Alphonse Knight, Rev. Britton Levy, and Amy Winter.
The sculpture stands about 10 feet tall, with “Codman Sq” in purple to signify the native American tribes that used to frequent the intersection – which is of ancient origins as a pathway for travelers. The ‘I AM’ letters are colorful and speak to many other commemoratives – all of which were hand-painted by Palmer.
“I took a lot of inspiration from the meetings we had in the design and heard ‘I Am Codman Sq.’” she said. “I heard a neighborhood of people that believed in community and wanted a space for people to thrive.”
She added: “This intersection is historically very relevant for a lot of people over time having come together here and having respect for and of one another.”
About a year ago, and after several pandemic-era delays, Palmer reached out to Mahoney, and they changed their thinking on the design. It had been big block letters originally, but they wanted something more playful and celebratory.
“It was perfect timing really,” said Mahoney. “She had a block letter design with a bench. I suggested we try the inflation technique to create bubble-like letters. That’s a technique which is passed around in the metal arts community and one that we teach each other. It is unique and so we went from block letters to bubble letters.”
Above: Richard Scott and Elijah Rashed Peters raised their glasses for a sparkling cider toast to the opening of the new park. Seth Daniel photo
The technique involves making two flat metal letters and welding them together, adding heating, and blowing them up with air like a balloon.
The piece was a hit on Monday, with a line of residents waiting to take their picture with family and friends around the sculpture.
There will be an official ribbon cutting on Sept. 19, at 11:30 a.m. A future project will incorporate the front lawn of the adjacent Second Church in Dorchester into Codman Park to make one large “Village Green.”
Alphonse Knight, Elnora Thompson and Rev. Britton Levy.
Comedian Keith ‘Mr. Mics’ Ellison does a cameo with the new signature art piece.
Adrian Dorisme enjoyed the misting stations in the park, a nod to keeping cool in the hot weather.
