Fwd: Neighborhood Association Connection from Bob Barney
Rodney Singleton
From: Megan Alves <megan....@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Subject: Neighborhood Association Connection from Bob Barney
To: Megan Alves <megan....@gmail.com>
Hello,
I am working on a project for a new community playground in the South End, adjacent to the Hurley School, and have been meeting with many individuals and businesses to get the word out. In speaking with Bob Barney last week, he suggested that I connect with local neighborhood associations and groups and provided me with a contact list. I’m hoping you can share information with your neighbors and distribution lists to help us increase awareness of the project, and ultimately close our funding gap.
Here is some background on our project:
The Hurley is a Tier 1, bi-lingual (Spanish) Boston Public School, where 60% of students come from low-income families and over 70% identify as people of color. In our zip code (02118), 34% of school age children live below the poverty level. The Hurley has a parent-led non-profit, Neighborhood Partners for the Hurley School (NPHS) that has been working diligently to apply for grants, and was recently awarded a $1M grant from the Community Preservation Act.
This grant has made it possible for us to start designing a new playground that will break ground in June of 2026; however, we have an approximately $500,000 fund gap and are now working to find additional grants, private funding, and sponsorships.
It's important to note that although this playground will be on school grounds, it really is a community resource. On nights and weekends we host many neighborhood kids, whether it's playing on the playground, attending a birthday party, or having soccer practice. We are doing our best to engage the entire South End community (and beyond!) to help with this initiative.
We have a few upcoming events that I would love your help to publicize. Please see the attached invitations for:
- October 5th - Family Fun Day at the Hurley from 2-5 - this is an awareness-focused event. There will be crafts, face painting, and even games hosted by the Hurley PE teacher.
- November 13th - “Build a Brighter Neighborhood” - a dinner at SRV to benefit the playground project. This is a community focused fundraiser. Dinner, open bar, and conversation. Hopefully a prominent local speaker, too!
You can find more information on our website or on our GoFundMe page.
If you or anyone you know would like more information, I would love to have the opportunity to discuss this further with you.
I appreciate your support.
Megan Alves