Mayor William Flanagan held a press conference on October 25, 2012 to announce that he plans to send a bond request to the City Council for their approval that would supply $500,000 for the revitalization of Highland Park and $375,000 for the Kennedy Park Inclusion Playground, a place where all children can play regardless of physical ability. A number of fundraisers for the Kennedy Park Inclusion Playground have taken place, including a comedy night at White's Restaurant and a Zumba-thon at CD-Recreation, raising over $70,000 so far. The project is being led by Saint Anne's Neighborhood Association president Pamela Laliberte-Lebeau. Similar fundraising efforts have also taken place for Highland Park, the renovation of an existing park at the intersection of Highland and President Avenues, raising over $10,000. The bond was finally passed by the City Council on November 13th. Click here for a  video of the event. Click here for the Herald News article. For more information about the Kennedy Park fundraising effort, contact Pamela Laliberte-Lebeau at 508-367-6819.

(Top row, left and center) Laura Redmond of the Friends of Highland Park talks with City Councilor Pat Casey before the news conference. (Top row, center and right) The proposed Highland Park is depicted in several architectural drawings on display in the Fall River Room. (Row two) Mayor Flanagan presents simulated checks for $500,000 and  $375,000 that would be raised through successful passage of a bond by the City Council. (Row three) Highland Neighborhood Association president Steve Camara, City Councilor Brad Kilby and democratic state representative candidate Alan Silvia speak in support of the bond passage. (Bottom row, left and center) Highland Park supporters, including Dawn Saurette, right, hold up a simulated check for $500,000 while Mayor Flanagan, Saint Anne's Neighborhood Association president Pamela Laliberte-Lebeau and Cidalia Vitorino help Cameron Vitorino hold a simulated check for $375,000 for the Inclusion Playground project. (Bottom row, right) Public Works director Ken Pacheco goes over the proposal with Ms. Laliberte-Lebeau and City Grantwriter Jane Dibiasio.