MAY 29, 2026
Dear East Someville constituents —
Over the past 36 hours my office heard from several of you asking:
What is going on at Foss Park?
Residents reported some alarming circumstances:
- A large pile of asphalt appeared in the middle of the diamond closest to Mystic Ave (Field 1); posing a safety hazard.
- Machinery/equipment taking up shaded areas in front of the swimming pool.
- "News circulating within the community" that DCR has plans to restrict access and eliminate many existing uses.
When I saw these reports yesterday, I was concerned.
It would be unacceptable for DCR to allow any or all of this to happen without communicating to elected officials, posting signage, and performing a basic level of community engagement, at a minimum.
I immediately called several people at DCR and let them know this.
I appreciate that everyone at DCR quickly worked to get me answers, but residents and park users deserve to be kept informed, and we also deserve to have a big say and real consideration in future plans for the park.
Within a few minutes of my outreach, I had several conversations with people at DCR, from the Commissioner's office on down. What I learned:
- The asphalt and equipment in the middle of Field 1 is debris from renovations to the walkways to the courts; these upgrades were planned as part of a recent renovation of the basketball court and tennis courts, but the walkways were yet to be completed. This will make the paths ADA-compliant, make the courts accessible from the paths, and incorporate a path to the new crosswalk and connection at Blakeley Avenue.
- The heavy machinery/equipment in front of the swimming pool is to create shaded picnic bench areas; using accessible benches that will be bolted to the ground. This helps respond to a community desire for more shaded/accessible recreation areas.
- Top DCR Administrators denied there are plans to restrict access or eliminate uses.
At the same time yesterday, DCR put out the following press release:
Beginning on Monday, June 1, 2026, and continuing until further notice, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close the softball fields 1 and 2 at Foss Park in the City of Somerville, as well as the lawn area between the two fields and adjacent walking paths, to accommodate field improvements and restoration of the areas dugouts and bleachers. Field 3 will remain open and accessible during this time.
Taken together, these responses tend to assuage at least some of the rumors that started circulating about the park. And yet, I remain disappointed in DCR.
Last night, I asked DCR to work with me to schedule a meeting to provide interested members of the public and relevant stakeholders with an update on the work at Foss Park and an opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback, etc. I also asked DCR to prioritize Foss for additional planning, engagement, maintenance, and capital improvements.
Finally, circa 6 pm yesterday, I biked up to Foss Park and spent over an hour talking to folks who were letting their dogs out in Field 2.
For several years, Field 2 has been in very rough shape, so it became a makeshift off-leash dog park, with a real sense of community. I asked if, on some level, concern over the upgrades and repairs has to do with the fact that people love using Field 2 as an off-leash dog park?
I told folks I think it is more than fair for residents to want an off-leash dog park at Foss Park, and that is something I would be willing to advocate for going forward.
My biggest take-away from spending an hour with users of the park: DCR's plans and execution could be enhanced by more direct and consistent engagement with the public and community stakeholders. Obviously!
Overall, I am really proud of the progress we've made with Foss Park — from my initial advocacy for upgrades in the 2018-19 era, to the ribbon cutting on the new multi-use athletic field with lighting circa 2021— to the more recent addition of 50 trees and several other upgrades — we've been working to improve Foss on a very consistent basis over the past several years, and with the help of DCR's beloved Foss Park caretaker, Vinny, the park has been getting a lot better.
In closing, I'll add: every time I talk to the Healey-Driscoll Administration about East Somerville, I highlight the fact that Somerville is the most densely populated city in New England, the Commonwealth is the largest landowner in Somerville, and East Somerville is an Environmental Justice community, impacted by I-93 and other state infrastructure, and burdened by the heat island effect. Foss Park and its users deserve better communication and engagement from DCR, even as we continue to deliver real improvements.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns on this or any other matter.
Yours in service,
Mike
