October 22, 2005
Five Wounds/Brookwood Terrace celebrates the grand opening of the new Selma Olinder Park
Residents of the surrounding area gatherd together at Selma Olinder Park for festivities and a ceremony hosted by Vice–Mayor Cindy Chavez and Five Wounds/Brookwood Terrace Neighborhood Advisory Committee president Joan Rivas–Cosby.

After years of planning, Selma Olinder Park opened on October 22nd. The park area, surrounding Selma Olinder Elementary School and the Olinder Community Center at 19th and William St., has been the focus of much attention in the past several years. Park neighbors and friends came out with their families, dogs, and bicycles to celebrate the grand opening. Park goers attended a ceremony hosted by Vice–Mayor Cindy Chavez and Five Wounds/ Brookwood Terrace neighborhood leader Joan Rivas–Cosby.

Having long been an eyesore of overgrown brush and weed, neighbors were eager to organize and push City officials to develop it as had been promised. Neighborhood residents took the initiative and jumped in to mobilize neighbors and bring focus to the need for a park. Maria Mustonen, resident and member of the CommUniverCity steering committee, and Grant Bentley of the Olinder Neighborhood Association organized “Music in the Weeds” in 2002 and 2003, a local concert to join neighbors and draw attention to the issue. Residents, literally sitting amongst weeds and litter, came together to witness the event and rally support for the movement to develop a City park on the land. Music was followed by a litter pick–up, tree and branch trimming, and other land improvement projects.

Finally, efforts from people in the neighborhood and City staff came to fruition on October 22nd when the construction fences were removed, clearing the way for eager residents to explore the new territory. The park, a friendly and safe place for families to gather and children to play, is a symbol of the power of a neighborhood. “I’m grateful to everyone who contributed to making this park a reality,” Maria explained, “every time I’m sitting on my front porch or looking out the window and see kids headed toward the park with baseball bats, tennis rackets, dogs, or simply a bunch of friends and family. It’s all good.”

The park isn’t just a piece of land, it’s a point of connection between the neighborhood’s residents, a common bond that they all share. Maria adds, “I read e–mails from residents near the park discussing issues, like a recent problem with the irrigation system, and am grateful to live with such responsible, generous neighbors.”