EAST PROVIDENCE — Family, friends and officials gathered Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 18, for the formal unveiling of a sign dedicating the refurbished playground on the grounds of the Silver Spring Elementary School in the memory of the late Maria Pinheiro as well as to acknowledge completion of the project.
Initiated by At-Large Councilor Tracy Capobianco upon her first being elected late in 2012, the reveal brought the plan to a close. In the spring of this year, the Council approved a $142,856 bid from Beausoleil Brothers Inc. of Cranston to renovate the dilapidated Silver Spring basketball courts, swing area and baseball field fencing. The city had access to $150,000 for the project after receiving a $75,000 Recreation and Open Space grant from the State Department of Environmental Management, which required an equal match from East Providence.
“It was a long time coming, but well worth the wait,” Mrs. Capobianco said Wednesday. “Today we celebrate the official ribbon-cutting and dedication of the Silver Spring Playground. It has been just about three years to bring this project from ‘a wish’ to completion. I would like to take the time to thank everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition. From the current City Council, past City Council, the planning department, the engineering department, DEM, the PTA and former Mayor Bruce Rogers, who is responsible for informing me about the DEM grant when I was first elected and for taking the time to explain the process to me. I know families will enjoy this area for many years.”
In July, the Council approved a resolution naming the playground for Mrs. Pinheiro, a former School Committee member. Mrs. Pinheiro served on the Committee from 1992-1996, chairing the board during her final two years. In addition, she was active in the community, serving on the board of the Brightridge Club as well as being an active member at St. Martha’s Church. She also helped create academic scholarships for Portuguese and Luso-American students of the East Providence community and her family established a scholarship in her memory for students at East Providence High School. In September, the Council issued a proclamation to the family designating the playground’s new name.
Of her mother gaining this honor, Paula Francis said at the time, “She loved this city and she loved the children of this city. She wanted to do all she could to make their lives better. On behalf of my family I would like to say we’re extremely grateful she is being remembered in this way.”
— Photos by Tim Marshall
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