Belmont's New Joey's Park Seeks An Artist

It needs to withstand New England weather, be safe for kids and easy to maintain, but the possibilities for a piece of public art at the new Joey’s Park playground are as unlimited as an artist’s imagination.

“We’re building a one-of-a-kind playground that inspires creative play and promotes fun,” said Diane Miller, Friends of Joey’s Park co-chair.  

“We want the art work to reflect that spirit and we are open to many possibilities,” she said.

The work of art does need to be durable and complement the playground design. The new playground, on Cross Street in Belmont, will maintain both the castle-like feel of the current play structure and the park’s natural elements.

The work of art featured at the playground will also:

• double as a sign that reads “Joey’ Park

• incorporate a donor list and brief text explaining the park’s history, and

• be a freestanding structure up to five-feet tall and ten-feet wide.

Professional artists are invited to submit a proposal for the Joey’s Park art project. Find out more about the call for submission and plans for the new playground at www.joeyspark.org

“This piece of art will be one of the first things people notice as they enter the park,” says Ellen Schreiber, Friends of Joey’s Park co-chair.

“It will be installed at the entrance, so it will help set the tone for this destination playground that attracts hundreds of families from Belmont and beyond,” 

The new Joey’s Park will replace the existing structure built by the community 24 years ago in memory of 12-year-old Joey O’Donnell. The new play space will be built in October 2013 in much the same spirit as the original by hundreds of volunteers during a six-day “community build,” she said.

“Joey’s Park is all about community,” says Miller, “and we are excited to tap into the talents of the area’s artistic community.”