Since other government buildings in
Somerville were open during Monday's massive snowstorm, it was expected
that the Hodgkins-Curtin Park meeting would go forward as planned at
6:30pm on Monday evening. But unbeknownst to the meeting's planners,
the Tufts Administration Building was closed due to the weather.

Ellen
Scheider and Arn Franzen, both from the Mayor's Office of Strategic
Planning & Community Development came to the Tufts Administration
Building with their presentation for the park restoration in hand, only
to find the building locked and inaccessible. Also in attendance were
two representatives from the landscape architect firm Weston &
Sampson, who have been involved in the planning and development of the
park's restoration.

The four of them waited in the Tuft
Administration Building's vestibule to inform interested residents that
the meeting was canceled due to circumstances beyond their control.

But
in spite of the cold, Schneider and Franzen were still very willing to
talk informally about the plans for renovating Hodgkins-Curtin Park
with anyone who was willing to stay and discuss. They were also quick
to reassure everyone in attendance that a new meeting for the plans
would be scheduled promptly.

The renovation of Hodgkins-Curtin
Park is one of many projects that Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the
Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development has undertaken
to preserve and improve existing parks and other open spaces in the
City of Somerville.

The Office of Strategic Planning &
Community Development oversees all park renovations and expansions
within Somerville by managing and utilizing a budget that includes
federal, state and city funds. "We are committed to enhance the City's
built environment and create outdoor spaces for active recreation,
relaxation, and environmental health in Somerville," explains the
Office's website.

The City of Somerville currently manages a
total of 41 parks and fields and there may be more in coming years.
With the help of Mayor Curtatone, the Office of Strategic Planning
& Community Development, and concerned residents of Somerville,
community parks have been experiencing a considerable transformation in
recent years.

Since Mayor Curtatone took office, the city has
renovated 11 parks and added four new ones. These four new parks alone
have added 1.5 acres to the city's recreational areas.

"Somerville
parks and playgrounds are seen by residents and business persons as a
valuable community resource," says the Office of Strategic Planning
& Community Development's website. Somerville's representatives and
residents commitment to attending the ill-fated Hodgkins-Curtin Park
meeting on Monday night only confirm this statement.

Even in the
cold, dark Tufts Administration Building vestibule, a dialogue between
a community member and Somerville representatives was begun about the
future use and restoration of a baseball diamond in the park. So in
spite of the impromptu cancellation of the meeting, a dialogue was
begun and will hopefully continue when the Hodgkins-Curtin Park meeting
is rescheduled.

Updates concerning the rescheduling of the
meeting will be found on Somerville's website. All interested residents
and stakeholders are invited to attend. "We hope to reschedule and have
the meeting as soon as possible," said Schneider.

In the end,
no one in attendance for Monday night's meeting seemed especially
discouraged or frustrated by the locked building. Most everyone seemed
slightly amused by the mishap, knowing that last Monday was indeed no
day for a park.