Massachusetts is spending tens of millions of dollars to develop small urban parks.
Officials in Springfield secured two grants totaling $850,000 to transform a weed-infested school yard into a 6.5 acre park. A spray pad opened for children in time for this summer.Construction will begin later on a playground, ball fields and tennis courts.
Gloria DeFillipo of the Pine Point Neighborhood Council said until now the closest park was more than 2 miles away.
" It is a safe environment. You can bring your kids, sit under the shade and relax," she said. " I think it is terrific."
Massachusetts officials said a quarter of the state’s population now lives within a 10 minute walk to a park.
