The Word On Jefferson Street: An Urban Oasis Beckons

Carmen Pajarillo took a break from studying for a medical board exam Thursday morning by bringing her dog Honey to a hidden pocket of paradise.

That pocket is Lenzi Park, a reclaimed patch of greenery reclaimed and lovingly landscaped and tended by neighborhood volunteers at the junction of Jefferson Street and one-way St. John Street and Chestnut Streets.

The busier heart of Wooster Square is just two blocks away, Grand Avenue and elevated I‑91 one block away.

Yet you hear birds and rustling leaves there, not horns and engines. Few cars travel past Lenzi. Just people, most on foot, some on bicycles.

And dogs. Lots of dogs. Companions like Pajarillo and Honey. Or like retired SBC tech and Vietnam vet (and loyal WNHH FM ​“Cannabis Corner” fan) John Bethke (pictured above). Bethke walks to Lenzi daily from his home on William Street with his ​“best friend” Jackie, who helps him navigate his PTSD and physical challenges.

As the last blooms of spring gave way to the green of summer along Lenzi’s flower beds and winding paths, you could feel the energy of urban life interwoven with the bliss of nature.

Pajarillo has been finding that bliss in Lenzi Park since moving partway through her career as a Yale medical student from downtown to low-traffic northern Wooster Square.

“It’s nice to come out here and think of something else beside the exam,” Pajarillo, a 27-year-old Rhode Island native, said in a park interview on the ​“Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s ​“LoveBabz LoveTalk” program. ​“I really like Wooster Square. I prefer biking [to cars]. I prefer walking. That’s what I love about New Haven.”

In between her studies, Pajarillo has joined similarly-minded New Haveners in working to promote that aspect of New Haven. She got involved in the Safe Streets Coalition after reading this Independent story about anti-pedestrian traffic enforcement. She served as traffic representative for the Yale School of Medicine. She wrote a letter to her state senator this spring as part of the successful push to enact a law to promote local use of automated speeding and red-light law enforcement. 

Her upcoming board exam is part of her transition from a research year to her residency. After graduation she plans to become a cardiologist. Growing up she saw firsthand how low-income people suffer disproportionately from heart disease; she wants to be part of the solution to health care disparities.

She also wants to help people with backgrounds similar to hers follow her path to medical school. She mentors aspiring students in her spare time and spent two years mentoring med school applicants from ​“underrepresented backgrounds” through the PATHS program.

After cleaning up after Honey, Pajarillo led her along the canopied walkway back home to boards prep: ​“When she’s sitting next to me while I’m studying, it’s nice to look over to her and say, ​‘We had a nice day in the park.’”

Click on the video to watch the full conversation with Carmen Pajarillo on the​“Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s​“LoveBabz LoveTalk” program.

Click here and see below for other​Word on the Street episodes.

Word On Wooster: Elisa, Zoe Roam Free
The Word On Norton Parkway: Into The Weeds
The Word On Grand Avenue: Where’s The Beef?
The Word On Maple Street: 1 Last Look At Dad’s Gaskets
Word On Platt Street: Pop Pops In With The Crew
Word On Sherman: Make Way For Mogul
Word On College Street: Future Doc Makes A Pit Stop
Word On Howe: EbLens, Through A Lens
Word On Whalley: Terry & Bobby See Their Way Clear
The Word On Willis: Beauty Pokes Its Head
The Word on York Street: Fast & Steady
Sprung From Work, Nick Samples City’s Buzz
Angel Drives, Delivers Toward Easter
Word On Sherman: Candy Looks Beyond Mandy
Word On Chapel: MonaLisa Steps Up
The Word On Edgewood:​“Maintenance Guy” Comes To The Fore
Word On Fountain: Let The Sunshine In
Word On Winthrop:​“It’s A Ford”
Texan Teacher Kvells
Word On Whalley: Justice Rides
Word On Nicoll Street: Big Picture Comes In Focus
Word On Kensington Street: Paintbrushes Pass Down
The Word On Maple Street: STEM?​‘Snow Sweat
Word On Crown Street:​“Warehouse Guy” Hops In The Truck
Word On The Street: Ashes Mark New Life Chapter
The Word On County Street: Greg Weighs His Next Move
Surprise Drop-Off Turns Bottle Man East
Word On Boulevard: Love’s On The Menu
Old-School Chainsaw Comes Through
During Dwight Detour, Dominique Discovers Eden
Dreams Flagged on Ellsworth
Word On The Street: ICU Crew Lands At Bella’s
Pizzeria Raises Dough For Turkish Earthquake Victims
Word On Springside: Hot Pile, Cooler Planet
Park Trees Preserved
Word On Winthrop: Mom/Daughter TCBs
Word On Whalley: Wings Rise; Neon Fades
Word On Beers Street: That’s The Drill
Word On The Street: Sisterhood Is Wow-erful
Word On The Street: 1st Step Taken
Word On The Street: New Loos Arrive
Word On The Street: Kash Starts Fresh
Word On The Street: The Gig Cycle Spins
Word On The Street: Dumped Trash Disappears
Word On The Street: Job Interview Awaits
Word On The Street: Callaghan Suits Up
Officer McKernan Refuels For Double Duty
Word On The Street: Fred Keeps Moving
Word On The Street: Mimosa Mania
Word On The Street: Terry Hands Over The Brakes
Safety Hunter Keeps Eye On The Rising Tiers
Leather’s Grandson Returns To The Soil
Jorge Opens A Door
Word On The Street: Dad Awaits The Call
Word On The Street: Bridgette Beats The Sun
Word On The Street:​“Blessed,” & Ready For Busy Barber Season
The Word On Brownell Street: Call Luciano
Nana Readies Leaf Bag #32
Word On The Street: Groom Plans Hectic Holiday, Needs Car Back
The Word On Garden Street: Turkey Times Two
Dr. J Clears The Way
Estelita Makes The Journey Back Home
Butts, Burger King Wrappers Vanish At Wendy’s Drive-Thru
Skateboard J Does A 360
Word On The Street: The Banana Vote Emerges
Word On The Street: Sprinkler Heads
Word On Orchard Street: Cheap Gas
Word On The Street: Keep On Truckin’
Martin Readies 1 Last Bridge To Nature
Word on the Street: Call Her​“Queen”
Word on the Street: Coach Lance Called It
Word On Dixwell: Scooter Saves Gas
Budding Architect’s Word On The Street: New Haven’s More Laid Back Than Hong Kong
Word On Street:​“Smell Good In Your Hood”
Blood (Pressure) Talk Comes To Barber’s Chair
Word On Street: Rizzo Can Stand The Heat
The Tomato Plot Thickens
Without Illusions, Lamont Stewart Makes The Most Of His Morning Walk
Pro-Punk Poet Prof Starts Summer Stretch
Barista Soaks Up New Hometown Flavor
Word On The Street: Park Pre-Work Workout Sets The Tone
Homeless, & Working Exit 5 
Aldo Salazar Does The Circuit
Brisa Mendoza STEMs The Graduation Tide
Timmy Turner Takes The Long View
Bike To Work Week Pulls Up To State Street Station
He’s Making Sure Soldiers Won’t Be Forgotten
Legion Ave. Rite Aid Closing; Actor Bummed
Word On Church St.: Drugs Are Everywhere
Indoor​“Sunrise” Breakfasts Resume For The Hungry & The Homeless 
​“VillaFame” Has Designs On The World
Cherry Trees & NFTs Blossom In Wooster Square
9th Square Grows On New New Havener
Warbler Watcher Waits In The Woods
Reggie Gibson Makes A Clean Sweep
Sorry, Wooster Street: This New New Havener Has His Eye On Whalley Pie
Demons Stalk Methadone Run
Surveyor Bundles Up
Grandpa Boyd’s Toes Froze
Jay Jordan Shows Up Early For First Day At Mickey D’s
Track Champ Sets Sights On Firehouse
Can Collector Seeks Redemption
Reborn Stetson Library Opens Its Doors
Mom Prays To Pause Violence
Commuter Rolls With Switch To Train
Word on the Street: Math
Word At The Barber Shop: Ukraine Needs Our Help
Word On The Street: Pain At The Pump
Hamden’s Female Leadership Team Marks International Women’s Day
Taylor Picks Up Her Step
Wednesday’s Word on Grand:​“Survival”
Turbocharged Community Soup Kitchen Plans Return To Indoor Dining
Prof On Track To Put Pain Behind Him
Word on The Street: New Beginnings
Lyric Hall Goes With The Flow
1 Valentine’s Day Later, Love Survives
Budget Airline Celebrates 100 Days At Tweed
Bobby’s Not Snitching »Grill Goes Cold After Inspector’s Visit
(Waste)Water St. Report: Omicron Still Fading
Word On The Street: Love Rides On Metro-North
Strolls Keep Soulmates On Life’s Path
Word on the Street: Where’s There’s Smoke …
Dude, Where’s His Car?
Word On The Street:​“Level Up”
Word On The Street: Paying Rent, Staying Safe
Word On The Street: Brrrr!
Word On The Street: Caffeine
Word On The Street: 10 AM Georgia Hots