New Haven Independent

The $220,340 makeover is taking place at Galvin Park at First Street and Greenwich in the Hill’s Kimberly Square section. Ralph Mauro (pictured), whose Concrete Creations firm is doing the job for the city, predicts the work will be completed in about two weeks. A holdup in the availability of materials delayed the job’s scheduled July finish. The reborn pocket park will feature a splash pad, new swings, rubberized surfaces to protect “oops!”-ed tots from bruising knees and elbows, and a new fence.

Carmen Gonzalez, 46, who lives a block from the park on Kimberly Avenue, would like her six kids to play there. She’s concerned, though, about gun-toting drug dealing young people who used to hang out there before construction started. Unless the place has lighting, she said, she may not let the kids play there.

The family was holding a tag sale on the sidewalk to raise money for school supplies, including the uniforms required at Hill Central and Truman schools. Among the items for sale was a Model 1964 Plymouth.

Gonzalez’s 13 year-old daughter Brenda (pictured) is excited about the spanking new park. Before, she said, “It had graffiti. The water part had glass all over it. There were no swings. A lot of garbage.” It turns out the park won’t have lighting. According to the City Plan Department’s chief landscape architect, more neighbors spoke out at public meetings against lighting, fearing it would attract more criminal activity at night. Brenda said she wants to hang out there anyway, at least in the day time.

Might daytime be OK, mom? Carmen Gonzalez thought it over. Her verdict: “If I go with her.”