Central Park Rejuvenated: Grant Initiated by Councilman Cunha

Onna Moniz‐John Neighborhood Park and Central Avenue Playground

The City of East Providence is pleased with the renovation of another city park and playground at the Onna Moniz‐John Neighborhood Park and Central Avenue Playground. The refurbished Park is located off North Broadway between Central and McCausland Avenues.

Ward Two Councilman Helder Cunha spearheaded a Rhode Island DEM Open Spaces Grant which brought in $150,000 in Federal money and was matched by city CDBG and in-kind funding. The K-Rob (Kevin Robinson) foundation also donated $30,000 to the effort as well as other expertise. Cunha started the rejuvenation project in 2013 and with the work of the city planning board an application was successfully acquired.

The project involved a combined effort of the East Providence City Council, city planners and staff and others in the community. The city council held a public meeting with area residents in November of 2013. As planners devised a proposal the state grant was secured with RIDEM by August of 2014. Through Community Development Block Grant funding, the City secured the additional funding in October of 2014.

Next City officials met from November 2014 to February 2015 as staff meetings were held with the K-Rob Foundation (Kevin Robinson), to draft "Request for Proposals" for contractors, a landscape architect and to seek additional funding and identifying in-kind contributions.

Basketball courts, poles, backboards, etc. were built and many other park amenities such as picnic tables, play areas, chess tables, engineered ground cover, and more are part of the new Central Park. Professional lighting is anticipated to be installed by May 6, 2016. The K-Rob Foundation donated $30,000 for the construction of a skate park. "Hats off to the amazing Kevin Robinson, as always, you continue to serve as a hero to us all," said John Carnevale.

"The neighborhood and entire city has another beautiful park to enjoy. I am pleased that we could make this happen and want to thank everyone involved," said Councilman Cunha. City staff like Senior Planner Patrick Hanner, Senior Planner Wayne Barnes and Planning Director Jeanne Boyle were lauded by many for their hard work and determination in moving this project through.

Some items that members of the public requested are not in the formal plan due to limited funding. Neighborhood fund-raising may make this wish list possible. Carnevale is helping to organize a community get-together for this effort. A Pasta Dinner at the Cape Verdean Progression Center is scheduled for April 10th from 2-6pm "to help raise funds to extend restoration capabilities."

Councilwoman Tracy Capobianco also assisted Helder Cunha with the initial push for this project. "Once again our city staff has risen to the task. My thanks to residents and everybody for joining hands and securing another beautiful park in East Providence," added Capobianco.