Photo: Carl Stevens/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A new historical marker has been installed to provide background information on the unusual nickname for The DeFilippo Playground, also known as The Gassy.
The marker was commissioned by the "Friends of DeFilippo Playground." Robyn Reed, president of the organization, expressed the importance of this memorial in preserving history.
"There's so much pride and community involvement here in the North End. We thought it was important for tourists and everyone that lives here to know the history of this playground," says Reed. "Above and beyond Paul Revere and the old north church. This is a small area but a really important piece of history of the North End."
Built in 1914 and named after John DeFilippo, an Italian immigrant who fought to save the park from demolition, the park was coined "The Gassy," by residents due to the natural gas tank that once stood on the property. According to the marker, the tank, which Boston Consolidated Gas Company owned, dominated the park until 1928.
Rich with history, Lisa, a North End resident, shared her memories of the park.
"My great-grandfather was one of the people that laid bricks going up to what is now a dog park. I learned how to skate on this playground, on my Barbie roller skates."
Now residents look forward to making new memories in The Gassy.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.