Oak Hill Park

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Oak Hill Park (OHP) is part of the Oak Hill, village of Newton, Massachusetts and borders the West Roxbury section of Boston. It is currently bordered by Mount Ida College to its North-West and Mt. Lebanon Cemetery to its South-East.

[edit] History

In the late 1940's, what was once an isolated sand and gravel pit became an attractive development of 412 homes - Oak Hill Park. Built originally to accommodate returning Newton World War II veterans and their young families, one-story, three bedroom houses (which cost $7,820) were constructed on concrete slabs with radiant heating - construction atypical of New England and initially viewed with suspicion by some. This suspicion was apparently unwarranted since the market value of some of the original houses is now over $450,000.

Shortly after the veterans moved in, they formed the Oak Hill Park Association, which dealt with the city and developers, published a monthly newsletter and became the dominant social and political force in the community. The new residents built a playground, planted trees and helped each other build additions to their homes. They put on shows, plays, had block parties and barbecues and would always be available to help one another. Because of the many children in the area, the Memorial School (now Solomon Schechter Day School) was built.

The shopping center was later added to OHP and became a vital place to gather for both shopping and socializing. During the period of the 1950's-1960's most mothers were "at home" and most families had one car, if any. On any day of the week, one could see many moms and children walking, playing, visiting, shopping, etc,- a real neighborhood atmosphere and a wonderful place to raise a family. Needless to say, the location was most convenient to downtown Boston, while the feeling of the Park was very suburban. Today, OHP still remains a "neighborhood" in an age when many have disappeared. Its residents comprise a congenial mixture of ethnic and economic backgrounds, ages, vocations, interests and talents.

[edit] Neighborhood Preservation and Development

OHP bought up park land along the Charles River to protect it from development, as well as building the Shuman Centre, a small house-like building close to the shopping center. This served as a community center and home for the now closed branch library. OHP also succesfully stopped development on an extension of Saw Mill Brook Parkway that would have connected with the Wells Office Park and sent rush hour traffic zipping through the heart of OHP.

With further development of the areas over the years, the OHPA has embraced the later developed streets located between Wiswall Rd. and Spiers Rd., including the south side of Dedham St. The OHPA now includes 650 families.

While the shopping center no longer has a grocery store or a gas station, a pizza parlor which delivers, a hair salon and a plumber call the OHP Shopping center home as well as Condominiums. The western end of Saw Mill Brook Parkway leads to walking trails along the Charles River eventually leading South to West Roxbury's Millennium Park.

[edit] Street and Path Names

Oak Hill Park is a living memorial to World War II veterans. The streets and paths were named for Newton veterans who gave their lives in World War II. From 261 servicemen, the 33 names now identified with this area were drawn impartially. The Memorial School was dedicated in honor of the remaining "unsung heroes".

From 261 servicemen, the 33 names now identified with this area were drawn impartially:

Joseph T. Antonellis (1916-1944) Corporal, US Army Chemical Warfare

George L. Avery (1925-1945)

Peter A. Bontempo (1922-1945) Pfc., US Army

Albert T. Caldon (1918-1944) Corporal, US Army

William F. Callahan, Jr. (1920-1942) 2nd Lieut., 85th Mt. Infantry Reg.

John L. Caulfield (1917-1944) 1st Lieut., US Army

Paul R. Cavanaugh (1921-1944)

Sarkis Chinian (1924-1945) PFC., US Marine Corp.

Harvey J. Cibel (1918-1943) 2nd Lieut., USAAF

Russell C. Colella (1913-1944)

Wilfred B. Considine (1920-1944) Tech Sgt.

Lawrence Early (1896-1944) Capt., US Army

Francis A. Fredette (1906-1944) CM 1/c US Navy

Robert M. Hanson (1922-1944) 1st Lieut', USMC Aviation (Congressional Medal of Honor)

John S. Hay (1921-1943) AAF

Mainolph Valen Pappius (1899-1945) Cmdr, MC USNR (Flight Surg.)

H. Russell Keller, Jr. (1916-1942) Lieut., US Naval Aviation

William J. Kerr (1921-1942) Electrician's Mate, 3/c US Navy

Francis P. McCarthy (1917-1942) Capt., USMC Aviation (Dist. Fly. Crs)

William E. Nightingale (1924-1945) Flight Officer RCAF

Frederick P.O'Connell (1921-1944) Corp., VMCR Class III-C

John J. O'Rourke (1908-1942) Pfc., Specialist 5/c

William H. Osborne (1913-1945) Sgt., USAAF

Robert Shumaker (1924-1944) Ensign, US Naval Aviation - 2nd Lt. USMC (NAVC)

George B. Shute (1923-1945) Private, US Army

William A. Spiers (1924-1944) Co. C 101st

Frederick H. Timson, Jr. (1906-1945) Pvt. USAAF

Nicholas Tocci (1920-1945) Private US Army

Hugh Van Roosen (1922-1943) Grad. Annapolis- Lt. JG USN ([[Purple Heart]] and Navy Cross)

Paul H. Van Wart (1922-1945) Sgt., USAAF

George E. Walsh (1906-1945) Private, US Army

Frank W. Young, Jr. (1912-1944) Sgt., US Army {Massachusetts-geo-stub}}