Mayor Walsh Unveils New State-of-the-Art Street Hockey Rink At Garvey Park

BOSTON - Wednesday, June 10, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department today revealed a newly renovated street hockey facility at Garvey Park in Dorchester. The state-of-the-art facility, named for John and Ann O’Sullivan, the late parents of the well-known Neponset hockey family, was made possible through funding from The Coca-Cola Company and a partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association.

Improvements to the rink include a new design, new boards to enclose the rink, bench and bleacher repairs, seal coat for the court, new painting and fence repair. The restored rink will remain open to the public and will allow for additional permitted activity, including hockey clinics, tournaments and family fitness programs.

“These new renovations to the street hockey facility will benefit young athletes in Dorchester and other neighborhoods of Boston,” said Mayor Walsh. “I thank our partners for their shared missions in creating a Boston that is healthy, innovative and thriving.”

To mark the opening of the new facility, O’Sullivan Hockey and the Boston Bruins will host a free youth hockey clinic. The community is invited to celebrate the park unveiling and enjoy family events tonight at a field day for all ages. Families can come out to play hockey on the new rink and enjoy field day activities, music and more.  

“As members of the Boston community, Coca-Cola is committed to inspiring happiness in neighborhoods throughout the city,” said Paul Herring, General Manager, Coca-Cola Refreshments. “We believe in making a difference by refreshing parks and other spaces where neighbors and families gather. The restored Garvey Park street hockey rink demonstrates the positive impact we can make when working together with local government to achieve a common goal.”  

The Leahy-Holloran Community Center currently runs youth programs at Garvey Park. The Boston Parks Department will continue these partnerships and will work with neighborhood community centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, Dorchester Youth Hockey and other community groups to enhance activity at Garvey Park.