News
The Paul Rinkulis Way Tuesday May 8, 2012 Boston Parks & Rec will honor late youth activist
Members of the Boston Parks and Recreation Commission voted on April 30 to name the pathway adjacent to Luis Tiant Field in the South End Paul Rinkulis Way.
Commissioners heard verbal support for the proposal from South End Little League spokesman Noah Torres and had received written letters of support from Mayor Thomas M. Menino, City Councilor Bill Linehan, City Councilor Felix Arroyo, and Project Place Executive Director Suzanne Kenney.
Mayor Menino wrote, "Paul made a tremendous impact throughout the entire community during his life and was particularly involved with South End Baseball which makes Peter’s Park the ideal location for this honor. The pathway will act as a symbol of how Paul used baseball to break down barriers and create a South End that encompassed Lower Roxbury, united neighbors and created relationships that did not exist before Paul’s involvement."
Rinkulis passed away in 2011 following a battle with cancer. He was a native of the South End and volunteered for organizations in his neighborhood, including Project Place. In the words of Project Place Executive Director Suzanne Kenney, dedicating a path is appropriate because of the type of person Paul was, "There are hundreds of youth who walk on the right path because of Paul’s involvement in their lives. The symbolism of this gesture" is a fitting way to "honor someone who cared as deeply as Paul did...and who was a force to get us all to recognize that the youth of our city need a chance to play and be safe."
By the end of the summer, members of the design staff of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department are expected to install signage which reflects the naming of the pathway.
|
|
|
Email
Print
Share