Mayor Wu’s Coffee Hour series returned to Walker Playground on Wed., May 1. Though a bit raw weatherwise, neighbors came out to get their potted plants and chat with the mayor and other city officials.

“Our job as an administration every day is to make sure we are making Boston a home for everyone – every generation, every walk of life, and we don’t just mean a place to go to sleep at night though housing affordability is the first step in that,” Wu said.

“Home for me is where you have everything you need. Home is where your dreams can grow. And home is where you’re with the people you love.”

She also noted that public safety has been successful lately, with fewer acts of violence reported.

“We’ve been getting a lot of attention over the past couple years around the country; we are known as the safest major city in America,” she said.

Patricia Whitehead had a question about trash that is left in the street by rubbish collection companies on trash day, known generally as “spillage” and Dennis Roache of Public Works offered a response.

“By contract, our trash contractor is supposed to be picking up those materials,” he said. “We go out there and see them and most of the time they do it. On occasion it may not happen…If this is happening in your neighborhood, please report it on 311. We’ll send an inspector immediately and get it taken care of.”

Other elected officials in attendance included District 5 Councillor Enrique Pepen, Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, and state Rep. Russell Holmes. Wu’s liaison to Mattapan Eric James was the host of the event.

Other upcoming coffee hours stops include Dorchester’s McConnell Park on Denny Street on May 23 and Mother’s Rest in Four Corners on June 26. Both will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., weather permitting.

Anne Marie Kennedy Horton with Police Commissioner Michael Cox.

Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods welcomed everyone to Walker Playground. The Coffee Hour was last at the playground in 2022.

Firefighter Michael Searcy and Mick Brunache, president of the Mattapan Patriots youth football and cheer program.

Hans Bastien, of the City’s Small Business Development division, and Shavel’le Olivier, executive director of the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition. Seth Daniel photos