The city of Springfield, Massachusetts opened a new public park Monday and dedicated it to Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal.
The dean of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation said the dedication of the Congressman Richard E. Neal Indian Orchard Community Park is a “nice honor” and something he stressed he did not ask for. Neal said Springfield’s parks system is one of the best in America
The chairman of Springfield’s Parks Commission said they wanted to honor Neal because as mayor of Springfield in the 1980s, he launched a tree planting initiative. The 18 acre park had been privately owned for at least 50 years. It was donated recently to the city by Eastman Chemical which operates a large plastics manufacturing facility nearby.
