THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022 Page 13 Retired New England Patriots football players and cheerleaders assist in Costa Park rebuild – the city’s most used play area KaBoom! Project Manager Lian Mah asked the participants to congratulate each other on their teamwork throughout the day. V Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky said it’s been wonderful seeing the progress. Volunteer Jan Dumas, who lives on the same street, thanked the community for coming together to rebuild Costa Park. By Tara Vocino olunteers from the City of Revere, United Healthcare, The Neighborhood Developers and Revere Community Committee gathered to construct a playground at Costa Park last Friday afternoon. The initiative was part of a nationwide eff ort by KaBoom! to end play space inequity, especially in communities of color. Since the fi rst community build eff ort in 2020, equipment exceeded the rate of wear and tear; thus, it was in need of replacement. According to the city’s Project Planner, Elle Baker, 140 people participated, and a rubber surface still has to be laid down before a ribbon-cutting ceremony can take place. Mayor Brian Arrigo said the park renovations will serve thousands of young people for decades to come. Shown from left to right: New England Patriots cheerleaders Molly Simmons, Kasey Sjostedt, Kayshauna Montano and Tiana Dyson, mascot Pat Patriot, United Healthcare Senior Director of Revenue Eileen Doyle and volunteer Pamela Bylakhman. New England Patriot cheerleaders came to Costa Park. Pictured from left to right are New England Patriots cheerleaders Molly Simmons, Kasey Sjostedt, Kayshauna Montano and Tiana Dyson and mascot Pat Patriot. (Advocat e photos by Tara Vocino) The city’s Project Planner, Elle Baker, thanked The Revere Advocate and other newspapers for their support. The Neighborhood Developers Community Building Director Sharon Fosbury said the children helped design the park through their input. United Healthcare Tier II Customer Service Lead Katie Barnes painted a basketball player onto a splash pad mural. Shown from left to right: New England Patriots cheerleaders Molly Simmons and Kasey Sjostedt, Disc Jockey Rick Freni, mascot Pat Patriot and cheerleaders Kayshauna Montano and Tiana Dyson. Former New England Patriots outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, who won two Super Bowls, and former New England Patriots running back Patrick Pass supported the renovation day. Former running back Jonas Gray was also in attendance. Former New England Patriots off ensive guard Joseph Andruzzi tightened a hook to latch onto a swing set during last Friday afternoon’s Costa Park renovation project. Volunteers – including from the Department of Public Works, City Council, KaBoom!, Revere Community Committee, United Healthcare and the New England Patriots (current cheerleaders and former players) – assembled for a group photograph at the end of the day.
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