DCR opens renovated $2 million Ryan Wading Pool, kicks off 10th Summer Nights with wider statewide reach

The commissioner for the Department of Conservation and Recreation opened the 10th annual Summer Nights kickoff at Ryan Playground and unveiled a renovated Ryan Wading Pool described as a $2 million Commonwealth investment that doubled the neighborhood wading pool’s size and added benches, spray features, shade pavilions and cooling rubber surfacing.

The program, which pairs local groups with DCR to provide evening and summer activities, now involves roughly 100 partner organizations and programming at 125 locations in 28 cities, officials said. "This new pool is a $2 million investment for the Commonwealth that doubled the size of the neighborhood's wading pool," the commissioner said, describing the additions as part of an effort to give young people safe, cooler places during increasingly hot summers.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, who spoke at the event, emphasized the program’s growth and variety of activities run by neighborhood organizations. "Do you hear all the sounds from that wading pool? Like, doesn't that make your heart smile?" Driscoll said, adding that the initiative supports not only recreation but leadership and learning. Driscoll cited participation levels from last year and said this year’s effort "broke that record," adding that the program this year was "over $102.6 million" and is expected to serve about 20,000 youth (figures she attributed to state program totals).

Mayor Michelle W. thanked the Healey administration and DCR for resources that let cities expand local programming and noted additional city-level supports, including a new recreation center and pool in Roxbury expected to open after Labor Day. Local partners at Ryan Playground — named during remarks as Youth in Crisis, Immigrant Family Services and Mass Audubon — will provide basketball, dance, games and nature exploration on select days.

Event organizers described the expansion into seven new communities — Norwood, Everett, Revere, Pittsfield, Somerville, Chicopee and East Hampton — as part of the program’s statewide growth. Officials and partner organizations took a group photo and hosted a dance exhibition after the remarks. No votes or formal board actions were taken at the event.

Officials emphasized the intent to ‘‘bring young people together in safe spaces’’ and to support families and caregivers through free programming. The kickoff underscored a multiagency and community partnership model intended to scale evening and summer offerings across the Commonwealth.