All Invited to Brown School Yard Ribbon Cutting On Tuesday, November 14

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Superintendent Rubén Carmona invite the Somerville community to join a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Brown Schoolyard on Tuesday, November 14, at 2:30 p.m. Come celebrate and see the new schoolyard features including ADA accessible surfaces, colorful court game markings, a small turf field, seating, garden beds, stormwater management features to prevent puddling and flooding, and more. 

The Brown School is the oldest operating elementary school in Somerville and due to limited indoor assembly space, the school’s community utilizes the schoolyard space for activities year round. This upgrade is the schoolyard’s first modern renovation. 

Residents and school staff informed the design via a community-driven process. That input helped create a unique, accessible, and modern space for Brown School students and educators. Funding was provided by the Community Preservation Act, the federal American Rescue Plan Act, and the City bonding.

The ceremony will begin with remarks from Mayor Ballantyne, Ward 6 City Councilor Lance Davis, Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Carmona, and Ward 6 School Committee Member Ellenor Barish, among others. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are encouraged to explore the new schoolyard. 

The ribbon cutting will also be recorded and made available for later viewing by the City’s GovTV team. Watch on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613. Videos generally post within two business days of recording.   

To learn more, please contact Arn Franzen, Senior Project Manager, OSPCD Public Space & Urban by emailing Afranzen@somervillema.gov or calling (617) 625-6600 x2545.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

This event will be videotaped by the City’s GovTV team. Watch it on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613.  Videos generally post within one business day of recording.