Neighborhood, Springfield to benefit from new school and park

Date: 10/7/2021

SPRINGFIELD – Two developments are helping to re-shape the Upper Hill neighborhood in Springfield.

City officials broke ground on the new DeBerry-Homer Elementary School on Monroe Street on Sept. 29. The next day Mayor Domenic Sarno led the dedication of Samuel Bolden Park.

The new park on Wilbraham Avenue was constructed due to the fact that parkland adjacent to the existing DeBerry School was being used for the new school and state law requires a municipality to maintain the same amount of parkland.

The new school is budgeted at $95 million with $66.4 million being funded through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The school is scheduled to be open in August 2023.

The new combination school, which city officials expressed the hope it can be named for former state Rep. Benjamin Swan, replaces the Deberry School built in 1951 and the Homer Street School built in 1898.

Sarno noted the school represents “a sense of hope, a sense of positivity, not only for the neighborhood, but for the city.”

The mayor noted the commonwealth has invested $700 million in the construction of new schools and the renovation of existing schools in the city. James MacDonald, chief executive officer for the MSBA, said this school marks the 50th project undertaken in Springfield.

School Superintendent Daniel Warwick noted the commitment to Springfield far exceeds the money even Boston has received from the MSBA.

Warwick noted the century-plus schools – such as Homer – being replaced in many instances had not gym nor cafeteria.

State Rep. Bud Williams noted the area is the site of other development, such as the former fire station being turned into apartments as well as the former Knox building transformed into housing.

One of those other developments has been the new Samuel Bolden Park on Wilbraham Avenue. Named for the late business owner and youth sports coach and supporter, the new park features exercise equipment, a playground, a basketball court and a soccer field.

Terry Rodrigues, chair of the Parks Commission, noted that Bolden “was all about sports and the community.”

Williams admitted during the dedication ceremony that he was “holding back tears, tears of joy.” He said with emotion in his voice that Bolden, “gave so much to the community, he gave everything, everything.”

Bolden’s daughter, Bella Blake, said her father had a love of mentorship and coaching young people.

“This is my father’s community. He loved Springfield,” she added.