Open Space Acquisitions by Neighborhood: Dorchester

Location: 23 Hopkins Street, Dorchester 

Acquisition Type: Gift of land

Size: .14 acres

Steven P. Odom Serenity Garden is a new park adjacent to the new Morton Station Village housing development located on Hopkins Street in Mattapan. The site, completed in 2026, features a natural stone patio, water fountain, and pillars engraved with words of inspiration and Steven’s own poetry. Complete with new landscaping that features a palette of native and pollinator friendly plants, this quiet space welcomes visitors to pause and reflect.

Formerly the location of a Boston Police Department station, the Mayor’s Office of Housing worked alongside the community to transform the land into affordable housing which would include a parcel of open space for the purpose of a city park. The parcel was officially transferred to Boston Parks and Recreation for permanent care and maintenance in January 2025 and construction was supported by Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. 

Steven P. Odom Serenity Garden was designed by RBLA Design, LLC and constructed by Woodall Construction Co. The project budget included $456,123, funded with $50,000 from the City’s five-year Capital Plan and with construction costs funded by a CPA grant. 

Location: Talbot Avenue at Washington Street, Dorchester

 Acquisition Type: Internal Transfer - Public Works Department to Boston Parks and Recreation Department

Size: 0.12 acres

Codman Square Park was renovated in 2025 to improve circulation, gathering areas, and event space for community use. The redesigned park also includes artwork celebrating the cultures and diversity of the surrounding neighborhood.

Although the Boston Parks and Recreation Department had long maintained the site, the property was previously owned by the City’s Public Works Department. As part of the renovation project, ownership was transferred to Boston Parks and Recreation to permanently protect the park under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution.

Location: 217, 221-231 Norwell Street, Dorchester

Acquisition Type: Gift of Land, Internal Transfer - Mayor's Office of Housing to Boston Parks and Recreation Department

Size: 0.23 acres

West of Washington Family Park was acquired in December 2025 following years of advocacy from the West of Washington (WoW) Coalition, which identified the site as a priority location for new neighborhood open space. Working with local developer Travis Lee, the coalition helped facilitate the purchase of three privately owned parcels using Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. The parcels were subsequently donated to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for the creation of a new community park.

The remaining section of the property, previously owned by the Mayor's Office of Housing, was also transferred to the Parks Department as part of the project. The property is now permanently protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution and through a conservation restriction. 

West of Washington Family Park will include a vibrant community gathering space with a colorful play area and splash pad, community seating, a performance space with an electrical connection, a new lawn, trees for shade and cooling, and community planting beds.