David Labonte, wearing a flag shirt, Alice Coody, in yellow, and Robert Richards in his Gable hat, enjoy a picnic with other residents on the new patio.
The William Schrades Sr. and Jr. man the grill.
The new patio has a shade tree, ornamental plantings and a new fence.
A large planter brings some green into the space.
Residents line up for picnic food.
The Schrades and Executive Director Jennifer Hohn.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority opened its new patio on Wednesday with a brief dedication and a cookout.
Named for longtime Housing Authority director William M. Boland, the fenced in area off the main lobby offers a benches and umbrella tables for residents who'd like to dine al fresco or just watch the world go by.
"It's great. We love it. We're proud to have it," said Alice Coody, sitting with friends at one of the umbrella tables to dine on hamburgers and hot dogs. "It's beautiful, it's classy looking. We have no complaints.
Coody and Robert Richards said they had been watching the work progress over the past weeks as the concrete patio doubled in size and were eager to try it out once the equipment was removed Wednesday morning.
"It was a special day so I wore my Clark Gable hat," joked Richards.
Executive Director Jennifer Hohn said the goal had been to better utilize the underused patio space and provide some curb appeal.
"They didn't use the space so we wanted to get it more inviting and more aesthetically pleasing and welcoming," she said. "And make it more pleasing from the street. It wasn't nice."
The area on the south side of the main lobby of the high-rise had been small and blocked by shrubbery. The shrubs are all gone and replaced by a new fence and gate. A circular stone flower garden is in the center with benches and tables with black umbrellas scattered about. New plantings along the edge are more colorful with ornamental bushes and flowers.
"The space is double what it was before," Hohn said. "In addition to the patio we did some aesthetic work in the front ... to tie it all in."
She said the building as a really good population that she feels will respect and take care of the area.
The new patio also gave the authority a chance to recognize the late William M. Boland, who had led the authority for 29 years. Boland retired in 2003.
Hohn said she's wanted to do something to memorialize her predecessor for some time.
"I've been like we need to do something big or something that Bill would have enjoyed," she said. "And Bill enjoyed the sun. He enjoyed being outside, he enjoyed wearing his big sunhat and his glasses.
"He would really really enjoy this space so I thought it would be appropriate."
A plaque with a picture of Boland wearing his sunglasses looks over the William M. Boland Ashland Park Patio. The plaque reads "To honor and recognize the dedication and commitment of William M. Boland to the North Adams Housing Authority for his 29 years of service as Executive Director. ... 1974-2003."
Hohn said a brief ceremony was held with Boland's son Michael, who was presented with a smaller plaque with the same sentiments.
Michael Boland, when reached Thursday, said he was impressed with the vision and commitment of Hohn and the board of directors in making it happen.
"I think my dad would enjoy something like that, naming after him made it very fitting," said Michael Boland, when reached Thursday. "And that plaque is always going to be there. ... It's appreciated."
Operations Manager Willliam Schrade Jr., with help from his father, William Sr., flipped hot dogs and hamburgers under a tent on the lawn. Residents lined up in the lobby for picnic food and drinks.
"They did a great job. They're doing a great job here," said David Labonte, squeezed in with his friends around one of the umbrella tables. "They take care of us here. They really do. They've done a lot of renovation on the building, upgrading everything."
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