Community Corner

Ginn Playground Could Be Renamed

The Stone family would like to have the park named in honor of Charlotte Mortimer, Finn Mortimer, Laura Stone Mortimer and Ragna Stone.

While the playground at lacks a name, most residents refer to it as Ginn Playground because of how close it is to the field.

The Beginn Again Foundation, which is trying to restore the park, was approached by the Stone family to name the playground after the deceased Stone-Mortimer family members.

The four family members – Charlotte Mortimer, Finn Mortimer, Laura Stone Mortimer and Ragna Stone – Thomas Mortimer, IV, is

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According to Mary Ellen Rourke-Falvey, project chair, the family will contribute $80,000 to the restoration fund for the naming rights, which is approximately 1/3 of the total cost to renovate the park. Rourke-Falvey said that amount would allow the organization to finish the playground and begin a maintenance fund for the park.

“The committee is strongly in favor of naming the playground in their honor,” Rourke-Falvey said. “Charlotte Mortimer, Finn Mortimer, Laura Stone Mortimer and Ragna Stone were four long-time residents of Winchester who use the playground at Ginn Field extensively.”

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The name being proposed for the playground is the Stone Family Playground.

While the Board of Selectmen supported the decision to name the park after the family, Selectman Doug Marmon said that he did not fell comfortable taking money for the right to name a piece of town property.

“I have trouble selling the naming rights,” Marmon said. “We get lots of donations, I just don’t want to be put into an uncomfortable position. It’s a slippery slope.”

But overall the board endorsed the decision.

“We’re trying to remember people in the community,” Selectman Thomas Howley said. “It was a terrible thing that took place, and the idea to connect the playground to them is a good thing. Someone is trying to find a lasting way to rememebr these people.”

The name-change will go to the Committee of Names and ultimately will need to be voted on and approved by Town Meeting before it becomes official

“Naming the playground in their honor would be a great way to memorialize these Winchester residents,” Rourke-Falvey said.


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