Friends of Christopher Columbus Park

This all-volunteer non-profit group was founded in July 2001 by a small group of North End and Waterfront business people and neighbors. Founding members were William Lee, Chris Fincham, Christopher Carbone, Victor Brogna, Francine Gannon, Ileen Gladstone, Susanne Lavoie, Arlene Lowenstein, Deborrah Calcagno, Danny Nuzzo, Anne Devlin Tagliaferro, and Dr. Selma Rutenburg.

The purpose of FOCCP shall be to encourage, promote, enhance, and coordinate efforts of residents, neighbors, area businesses and institutions, and the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City of Boston (Park Landlord) in promoting, improving, maintaining, and utilizing Boston's Christopher Columbus Park.

Christopher Columbus Park is truly a neighborhood Park. It was created in 1974, as a result of the determined efforts of a united North End/Waterfront community. In 1999, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s Office began working with the North End/Waterfront community on a multimillion-dollar park renovation project. This project renewed the fading lawns and made major improvements in several areas of the Park, including expanding the lawn areas, adding a dual-purpose, circular performance area and enlarging the playground.