A Grand Reopening for Renovated Payne
Pawtucket – On Saturday, June 22, the renovated Payne Park in Pawtucket’s Woodlawn community was reopened with a ribbon cutting ceremony and the 4thInternational Children’s Day event. Mayor Donald R. Grebien was joined by RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Director Janet Coit, members of the City Council, the RI Cape Verdean Heritage Commission, BVCAP, the Woodlawn Community Center, and local Residents.
“Payne Park came to fruition as a collaboration between various community groups. The park is for our residents, and their public input was a large factor in determining the many features of the park through public meetings that were held prior to the design,” said Mayor Grebien. “We thank Director Coit, the City Council, and everyone that was involved in bringing to life a park that the Woodlawn neighborhood can enjoy.”
Mayor Grebien also recognized the Pawtucket Parks Commission, Parks and Recreation, the Planning Department, the Department of Public Works, and Larry Holloway who runs the local basketball leagues.
The park consists of a new splash pad area for children, two completely renovated basketball courts with lighting, a renovated playground area, a new stage area with three mural walls, a walking path with accessible exercise equipment, and a new pergola in the middle of the park.
Payne Park follows Pawtucket’s creed as an arts community. The reopening featured Indie Author Legacy Award 2018 Poet of the Year Damont Combs. The murals will also be painted through the Pawtucket Arts Commission and will include public design sessions to enhance public participation. The project has been made possible in part by a Rhode Island Foundation Community Grant.
The park, which cost $1 million, was paid for through a $400,000 grant from RIDEM, $500,000 in CDBG funds, and a Parks and Recreation Bond.
The International Children’s Day event is held at Payne Park by the RI Cape Verdean Heritage Commission and BVCAP in collaboration with the Cape Verdean Museum and the City of Pawtucket. The free event in celebration of the community’s children offered free food, face painting, arts and crafts, the opening of the splash pad, basketball, and much more.