Somerville To Hold Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony For New Schoolyard Space

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville officials are inviting the public to attend Tuesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the redesigned West Somerville Neighborhood School schoolyard.

The event is scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. at the school, located at 177 Powder House Blvd.

Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantine will deliver welcoming remarks at the ceremony, and Ward 7 City Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld and Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ruben Carmona also are expected to attend the event.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place after the speaking program. Attendees then will have an opportunity to explore the new schoolyard, according to local officials.

The new schoolyard features modern play structures, a multipurpose turf field and a climbing wall. Additionally, the space features 30 new tree plantings and improvements to the area's stormwater drainage.

"Through the renovation process, the old asphalt schoolyard has been transformed into a state-of-the-art space for recreation and education," officials said in a statement.

The design and construction of the new schoolyard were funded with money from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), according to officials.