Family of Jan Mahoney presses Lowell officials over park construction near memorial

Jennifer Mahoney Brum, daughter of the late Jan Mahoney, told the Lowell City Council that recent work at Father Maguire Park left pavement and benches abutting her mother’s memorial and that the project scope did not include promised beautification of the Jan Mahoney Softball Field. "I respectfully request that my family be given the opportunity to discuss these issues further," she said, asking whether ARPA or city funds could be used and whether youth groups might assist with improvements.

The council moved quickly to respond. Councilor Mercier recalled the 2005 dedication and urged officials to provide answers; Assistant City Manager Baez Rose said the Father Maguire ARPA project started later in the ARPA timeline, that the softball field was not included in the ARPA scope and therefore not funded for infield or dugout work, and that the project team initially placed traditional construction fencing around the monument for protection. Baez Rose said staff later asked contractors to cover the monument when the family raised concerns and that future phases — not funded under the current ARPA contract — could include field improvements in coordination with DPW.

After hearing from the Mahoney family and staff, the council voted to refer the family's concerns to the city manager and requested a meeting and a report back to the council. The referral motion passed on an aye vote.

Next steps: the city manager’s office will meet with Mahoney family members and produce a report to the council describing what work was authorized under the Father Maguire ARPA project, what protections were used during construction, what immediate remediation is feasible within current contracts, and what options exist for future phases or alternative funding.