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Comments
Back when children could play unfettered and untethered
Definitely Oak Square
Agree
Where the oak square ymca is now
Looks like early '70s
That's all I got.
Early 80s
Could very well be late 70s to early 80s.
Looks like...
Garvey Park/Devine Rink in Neponset (Dorchester).
Ah, the days of splinters
and treated wood with arsenic. The only thing missing is the metal slide that burns the legs...
Damnit....
....it made us stronger! And the subsequent chromosomal damage never impaired me!
much.
Clothing
I want those plaid pants! In my size, of course.
I'm pretty sure I had those
I'm pretty sure I had those plaid pants.
I did
There is a picture of me holding my baby cousin in 1973 wearing similar plaid pants.
Wicked little critter by the rope climb with a banana seat.
Correction
Actually given the era (and the fashion errors) that would be "the old New Boston" not "old Boston," which of course is different from the "new New Boston" and the "Olde Boston." I think "old Boston" would still have Scollay Square and Jewish delis on Blue Hill Ave.
Strictly a guess
The suits on the far right have to be Pols, so a dedication of the playground.
On the left appears to be an early 80s Ford Bronco that the Mets (Metropolitan Police or MDC) used as cruisers.
Behind it appears to be a gas station type building. It reminds me of either Truman Parkway in Hyde Park or East Boston around Constitution beach, but just a wild-assed Guess.
That's a 70s Bronco
I've been digitizing family pictures recently - it looks just like the one that a neighbor of ours had in the early 70s. An 80s bronco had a more swept-back front window and a thicker B pillar. By the 80s they looked less like a land rover or land cruiser and more like a pickup with a canopy on the back.
I agree adults/suits & crowds
I agree adults/suits & crowds suggests ribbon-cutting.
I don't know about the truck and early 80s. The bike suggests late 60s or 70s. The stroller suggests 60s. The clothing suggest 70s.
Looking in the background - looks like a bit of a slope. Neighborhood at the edge of a slight hill?
Tall poles and possibly fences in the level ground in the more level middle ground - possibly around a sports field. Alternatively, around something like a T yard?
I may be imagining, but the
I may be imagining, but the building upper left in the photo looks familiar. Trying to figure out if it's just a house or it's something I've seen somewhere...
The Answer
Oak Square is correct! This is the Oak Sq Playground photographed on August 3, 1972. Thanks for playing!
Looks like the Oak Square
Looks like the Oak Square Playground got the high column wooden playground set later than Roxbury if this is indeed the dedication. I remember equipment like that from back in the late 1960s. There was a set where the Washington Heights apartments are now. It included a multiple platform single rope swing that when used from the highest platform was a lot like bungee jumping. Good times but tough on your school clothes.
Cool
Judging by clothes, hair styles, definitely 1970s.
Tar Park
The name we gave it because the playground was covered with tar. Officially known as Hardiman Playground. The ball field was a beat up mess until Ray Flynn became mayor. It was also a place for night-time, underage drinking and drug use. The brother of a guy I went to school with overdosed there. Part of it is now a dog park.