Cape Verdean Association Unveils New Island Park on Acushnet Avenue This Week

The Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford is doing its part for neighborhood revitalization in the City's Near North End, converting the historic Strand Theater into the Cape Verdean Association Cultural Community Center.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Cultural Center's adjacent Island Park at 1157 Acushnet Avenue is scheduled for June 5 at 4 p.m.

CVANB President Darlene Spencer and Vice President and Project Manager Jan Baptist stopped by Townsquare Sunday this week to discuss the park ribbon cutting and the progress made so far on the Cultural Center.

⬇️⬇️KEEP SCROLLING TO SEE MORE PHOTOS OF ISLAND PARK⬇️⬇️

The park site was purchased in 2019, right before the pandemic. After much planning and COVID delays, the actual development of the park started in 2023. "There have been many partners in the park project, and we want to thank all the partners and funders at the ribbon cutting," Baptist said.

A Unique Green Space for New Bedford's North End

"We think it's unique because it's one of the only venues in the city that has both an indoor and outdoor area, and that should enrich our future programming," Spencer said. That programming may be after-school programs for children and elderly in the park. It's also the only park in New Bedford with palm trees.

One of the goals of the CVANB is to promote and preserve Cape Verdean culture, and Spencer said the June 5 ceremony will reflect that. "We will have Cape Verdean music from a band called 'Spencer and Friends,' plus classical music from the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, which has partnered with us before," she said.

Both Spencer and Baptist agree that the park is helping to transform that Near North End neighborhood. "We could have gone with a parking lot, but that was not what the neighbors wanted when we spoke to them," Spencer said. "There are a lot of families with children in the neighborhood, and many older folks, too. We want the park to be enjoyed by all, rather than have an empty lot there."

Phase 2: Upgrades to New Bedford's Historic Strand Theater

Inside the Cultural Center, work is continuing in Phase 2 of the project. "We are securing the basement: upgrading boilers, and repairing stairways to the basement," Baptist said. "We are also repointing brick around the four sides of the building, and installing a new electrical system inside the structure."

There is still much work to be done. The CVANB has raised about $4 million so far for the project. It will be kicking off a $9 million capital campaign in the weeks ahead. "As the money comes in, we'll continue to work," Baptist said.

If you would like your nonprofit organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.