A group of neighbors and volunteers from local schools and Blue Cross/Blue Shield combined efforts to spruce up the Dr. Loesch Family Park in Dorchester last Friday (Sept. 20). The Friends of Loesch Family Park and students from nearby Neighborhood House Charter School and BOLD Teens chipped in to plant Hosta along the edge of the park, clean up leaves, and make small improvements to the planting beds.

“Every year we try to put in more plants and maintain it,” said Cynthia Loesch-Johnson, president of the Friends group. “You are now part of the legacy of improving this park. The park has come a long way and has a lot of history and organizations that care a lot about it.”

Michelle Carter, a 30-year member of the Codman Square community and a Blue Cross/Blue Shield volunteer, said they planned to put in perennials so that it would be an effort that continues to help the park year after year.

With DJ Whysham providing the music, the crew of volunteers and students went to work throughout the day giving the park a facelift.

Loesch-Johnson also highlighted a campaign the Friends have embarked on to stop pets – particularly dogs – from peeing and pooping in the park. The issue has become a serious problem since the Parks Department took away the two dog refuse bag stations not long ago.

Now, the convergence of dogs and children using the same spaces has become a health issue. Volunteers and students helped by creating signs to be placed in the park urging dog owners to clean up after their pets.