Springfield unveils renovated Blunt Park fields, walking track

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield leadership has continued its work to improve the city’s neighborhood parks, with the unveiling of renovated grounds at Blunt Park.

Until recently, the park’s softball fields and track were worn, with patchy grass and cracked asphalt.

The parking area was poorly graded, with significant potholes, and it flooded during rainstorms.

“Tommy probably could have launched the duck boats there,” Mayor Domenic Sarno joked, referring to Thomas Ashe, executive director of parks, buildings and recreation management.

Ashe described the improvement unveiling as “a tremendous day” for the city and the Parks Department. He thanked the state legislative delegation for securing partial funding and the department’s staff. City Councilor Kateri Walsh said the Parks Department “always responds to needs in the community.” She congratulated everyone involved.

Campora Construction Company completed the work on the park. Vice President James Soffen recalled that when he attended the High School of Science and Technology, the school would use the park’s facilities during gym class. When the project came up for bid, he said, “I knew I wanted it.” He described renovating the space as “a full circle” experience.

The project, which cost about $800,000, included paving the track, seeding the fields and adding picnic tables. The entire parking lot was regraded to eliminate flooding issues. The Campora performed the primary work last winter, but it had to wait for warmer weather to pave.

Lamari Jackson, state Sen. Adam Gomez’s district director, attended the ribbon cutting. Speaking on behalf of the senator, she said that when most people think of protecting parks, their mind goes to state and federal land. However, she said the work begins at the local level.

“Our parks are nice and clean,” said state Rep. Bud Williams, who has attended many park reopenings in the city. “This is owned by the people, for the people, to the people… Let’s respect it.”