Puddingstone Park in Mission Hill Rededicated the Kevin W. Fitzgerald Park
Co-founder of Sport in Society�s Urban Youth Sports is recognized for his service to the community
(11-18-06) BOSTON, MASS. � On Saturday, November 18, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. the City of Boston rededicated the Puddingstone Park in Mission Hill the Kevin W. Fitzgerald Park, after the former Massachusetts State Representative and Sergeant at Arms in the Massachusetts State House. The dedication was held at the Alphonsus Street Gate. Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Speaker of the House Salvatore DiMasi spoke at the event.
�I am absolutely thrilled for Kevin. He couldn�t be more deserving,� said Peter Roby, director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University. �It�s very appropriate that a park in the neighborhood [Mission Hill] where Kevin not only grew up, but has dedicated so much of his life�s work, bear his name.�
Fitzgerald began his career as a youth worker in South Boston, Mass. In the midst of the racial unrest caused by school busing, he immediately went to work providing opportunities for the youth of South Boston. His work in South Boston kicked off a 27 year stint as a State Representative in Massachusetts. During his tenure, Fitzgerald founded the Children�s Caucus and the Health Start Program, which has evolved into the Children�s Security Plan. As a State Representative he was a consistent supporter of the Children�s Trusts, the Healthy Families Initiative, and early childhood education.
Committed to increasing opportunities for the children of Boston to be active and healthy, Fitzgerald helped create the Boston Youth Sports Congress and was co-founder of Sport in Society�s Urban Youth Sports program.
�The park is an extension of Kevin�s mission of providing a place for the children of Boston to play and participate in healthy activity,� said Roby. �Now the kids of Mission Hill will have a daily reminder of how much Kevin cared about providing those possibilities for them.�
About the Center for the Study of Sport in Society
The Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University is one of the world�s leading social justice organizations that use sport to create social change both nationally and internationally. The flagship organization located in the heart of Boston, Mass. was founded in 1984 by Dr. Richard Lapchick. Through research, education, and advocacy the center promotes physical activity, health, violence prevention, and diversity among young people and college and professional athletes. Sport in Society�s innovative programs are all staffed by former Olympic, college, or professional athletes and have been awarded America�s most successful violence prevention program by Lou Harris, the Peter F. Drucker Award as the most innovative non-profit program in the social sector, and most recently was recognized by the Boston Red Sox for its dedication and service to the community.
