Downtown park rededicated

Date: 10/20/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SRPINGFIELD -- One downtown resident declared the newly renovated Armory Common Park is "more beautiful than when it was first built" over 30 years ago at the park's rededication last week.

Downtown residents gathered with city officials on Oct. 14 to celebrate the re-opening of the park at the corner of Pearl and School streets and the placement of the "Reaching Woman II" statue at the park.

The statue, purchased by the Woman's Partnership for the nation's bicentennial in 1976, had been in Pynchon Park on Dwight Street, which has been closed for a number of years, Ellen Albano, president of the Woman's Partnership, explained.

It now is in the center of the park.

City Councilor Kateri Walsh, who is the chair of the Springfield Women's Commission, said, "The beautiful statue behind me signifies that women are on the move. The women in Springfield have come a long way."

Bob McCarroll, a downtown resident and a member of the Historical Commission, said the neighborhood was created at the turn of the century and underwent a major renovation in the 1970s when the former Springfield Institute for Savings bought up many of the buildings and created the Armory Commons rental complex. The city used its funds to improve the streetscapes and create the park.

With the current renovation, the city restored the operation of the fountain as well.

Carol Costa of the Armory Common Quadrangle Civic Association said, "What a labor of love and tenacity this park is."

"Urban areas need green spaces," she added. "It's so important when you live in a city."

Sculptor Lu Stubbs said the placement of the statute was "absolutely perfect."