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Council approves naming Bay State Road park for Billy Robertson and Edward F. O'Sullivan
Summary
Council votes to name a new park at Jordan Street and Bay State Road to honor Billy Robertson and to include Edward F. O'Sullivan as a co-honoree; planning staff described multi-use features including courts, a learn-to-bike track and seating.
The Lawrence City Council on July 7 approved naming a park under construction at Jordan Street and Bay State Road to recognize two community figures: Billy Robertson and Edward F. O'Sullivan.
Planning staff described the new park as a multi-use recreational space that will include a basketball/Futsal court, a volleyball/pickleball court, a learn-to-bike and skateboard area, walking areas, seating and a shade structure. Sue Fink, who explained the project for the Office of Planning & Development, said the design complements the adjacent Boys & Girls Club.
The naming motion originally proposed "Billy Robertson Park" to honor Robertson's decades of work with the Boys & Girls Club. Councilor LaPlante offered a stand-alone motion to include Edward F. O'Sullivan as a co-honoree; LaPlante explained that O'Sullivan had earlier been commemorated locally (a park bearing his name existed in 1918) and argued both names could be honored in the same footprint. After discussion about precedent and consulting planning staff on the proposed signage and locations, the council voted to adopt the combined name.
The roll-call vote recorded six yeses, one no and one absent; the clerk declared the motion carried. Planning staff said they would implement the final naming (alphabetized and using both full names) and coordinate signage and ribbon-cutting details with the council and community stakeholders.
What happens next: Planning will finalize signage language and coordinate a dedication with the Boys & Girls Club and the families; construction and programming timelines for courts and the learn-to-bike track will continue under the project schedule.
