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Chelsea Urban Wild Park Dedicated by Acting EPA Administrator; Horinko, a Boston-native, Hails Community's Work to Reclaim Waterfront

Release Date: 10/06/2003
Contact Information: David Deegan, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1017

Acting EPA Administrator Marianne Horinko participated in the grand opening today of the Chelsea Urban Wild park, on the Chelsea waterfront. In a ribbon-cutting ceremony signifying the grand opening of a restored 4.5 acre urban site, Horinko celebrated the hard work of many Chelsea residents in accomplishing the transformation of the riverfront parcel from contaminated land into an open green parkscape for local residents.

"I am very proud to be back in Boston today to help celebrate the work done to reclaim this urban wild park," said Horinko. "Chelsea Creek is like a jewel being unearthed after years of neglect obscured her beauty. This four-and-a-half acre urban wild is an oasis in this city, and it illustrates how the federal government can work with partners at all levels – especially those local groups closest to a problem – to find creative solutions that improve our environment."

Culminating approximately 20 years of work and dedication by local residents, Horinko also presented a check on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the Chelsea Creek Restoration Project for $28,457. The funds related to this Healthy Communities Grant are earmarked to support ongoing youth education programs as well as maintenance of the park, ensuring that new trees, shrubs and flowers will become established and grow. Since 1997, EPA has contributed more than $300,000 for community projects in East Boston and Chelsea for a variety of programs educating citizens and developing tools to facilitate the restoration of several areas of environmental blight in the local watershed.

Horinko, who was raised in nearby Everett, also participated in an event in that community today dedicating the new Madeline Grammar School with a host of state and local dignitaries. This school is another example of a contaminated urban area being cleaned up and transformed back into productivity for a community with the help of EPA.