Cheryl Dickinson’s Crite Park Journey: From Concept to Reality
Interviewed by Irwin Levy, Friends of Titus Sparrow Park Board Member
Welcome to Community Corner, where we spotlight neighbors whose vision, dedication, and steady leadership help transform shared spaces and strengthen our community.
I recently sat down with Cheryl Dickinson, the driving force behind Crite Park. Her story of transforming a forgotten City square into a gathering place honoring the late artist Allan Rohan Crite is a moving one.
The Spark Behind Crite Park
“I saw a sign on the ground that said Allan Rohan Crite Square, and I knew that something had to be done. Mr. Crite’s presence within his community and his impact on the greater art world warranted more than overgrown trees and a trash-laden lot. That was the spark that began this project.” So began Cheryl Dickinson, President of Friends of Crite Park, when asked what inspired her involvement.
The City of Boston erected the Square in 1986 to alleviate traffic issues at the intersection of Columbus, Appleton, and West Canton Streets.
It was 2016 when Cheryl and her husband, Roger, formed a small working group to chart a course to rethink and reimagine what Allan Rohan Crite Square could be. A few short blocks to the east was Childe Hassam Park, a similarly sized space that rose from the ashes of a torn-down row house. A dialogue with Hassam Park’s landscape architect proved fruitful, and with the firm’s hiring, one piece of the Crite Park puzzle was complete. The heavier lifts were still to come, namely financing the park through fundraising and grant writing.
Cheryl put together a strong team of residents with different skill sets, seeking people who were strategic, collaborative, and hard-working. Cheryl wrote the grants herself, and the five that were successful yielded nearly $1,000,000. An additional $300,000 was secured through neighborhood foundations and a state earmark.
Further challenges arose in navigating the City, and without hesitation, Cheryl cited the tireless efforts of State Representatives John Moran and Aaron Michlewitz, along with City Councilor Ed Flynn. The South End community supported Crite Park not only financially. Neighbors shared their wish list for the park, namely shade, a place to gather, and an acknowledgment of Allan Rohan Crite.
A Long-Awaited Milestone
Fast forward nine years from when Cheryl first saw the sign on the ground. On October 19, 2025, Crite Park celebrated its soft opening. While still surrounded by fencing, the seating and pergolas were clearly visible. Speaking to the large crowd that gathered, Cheryl expressed hope that the park will officially open in 2026, with planned events including Storytelling by Twilight as a main feature. The Friends of Crite Park envision a welcoming space that reflects the feeling of an outdoor living room, reminiscent of what Allan Rohan Crite observed from his window on Columbus Avenue. For Cheryl, it mirrors what she herself sees in Crite’s work: scenes of optimism.
Photo by Brooks Payne
Honoring Allan Rohan Crite
No story of Crite Park would be complete without a brief background on the artist Allan Rohan Crite (1910–2007). A comprehensive exploration of his work is currently underway through two exhibitions, Allan Rohan Crite: Urban Gloryand Allan Rohan Crite: Griot of Boston, at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Boston Athenaeum, through January 19 and January 24, 2026, respectively. For more information about Mr. Crite, please visit https://critepark.org/#allanrohancrite.
Speaking with Cheryl reinforces the recurring theme of Community Corner. The South End and Saint Botolph neighborhoods are filled with people who honor the past while working for its future. We hope these stories inspire you not only to support your community, but to get personally involved. We are better together.
This is the fourth installment of Community Corner, and I look forward to sharing more inspiring stories of South End and St. Botolph residents who help our community thrive. Stay tuned. There are many more voices, memories, and ideas to celebrate.
— Irwin Levy, Board Member, Friends of Titus Sparrow Park
