Somerville Hosting Ribbon-Cutting For Renovated Schoolyard

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville officials have invited the public to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated schoolyard at the Benjamin G. Brown School next week.

The event is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the school, located at 201 Willow Ave. In addition to the ribbon-cutting, the ceremony will feature remarks from several guests, including: Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Lance Davis, Ward 6 city councilor, Ruben Carmona, superintendent of Somerville Public Schools and Ellenor Barish, Ward 6 School Committee member.

According to officials, the new schoolyard features ADA-accessible surfaces, color court markings, a small turf field, seating, garden beds and stormwater management features to prevent puddling and flooding.

Residents and school staff provided input on the design of the schoolyard, which was funded by the Community Preservation Act, the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and city bonding, officials said.

Brown School was built in 1900 and does not have any space for interior recreation or physical education, and the building is without a cafeteria or space for assemblies, according to officials.

"The Brown School is the oldest operating elementary school in Somerville and due to limited indoor assembly space, the school's community utilizes the schoolyard space for activities year-round," the City said in a statement. "This upgrade is the schoolyard's first modern renovation."

Last month, Somerville officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the redesigned schoolyard at West Somerville School.

That schoolyard now features modern play structures, a multipurpose turf field and a climbing wall, in addition to 30 new tree plantings and improved stormwater drainage.