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H 4259

Oath of office

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lucas Atkinson and 66 co-sponsors

Designates Weider Park tennis courts as the Kim O'Connell Tennis Courts and instructs DCR to install markers honoring Kim O'Connell (ceremonial, no funding).

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Kilmartin, White
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Bill Summary · H 4259

Summary of H.4259 (An Act designating the Weider Park tennis courts as the Kim O'Connell tennis courts)

Purpose and intent

This bill designates the tennis courts within Weider Park, Roslindale, Boston, as the Kim O’Connell Tennis Courts in recognition of Kim O’Connell’s many years of dedicated service to the neighborhood. The designation is a ceremonial naming intended to honor local community contribution and preserve the memory of a longtime local advocate.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: The tennis courts located in Weider Park (managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, located at the corner of Dale Street and Sherrin Street in Roslindale, Boston) shall be formally known as the Kim O’Connell Tennis Courts.
  • Section 2: The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) must erect and maintain suitable markers bearing the designation, in compliance with the department’s standards.

Who/what would be affected

  • The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR): Responsible for installing and maintaining the official markers/signage.
  • Weider Park tennis courts (Roslindale, Boston): The public-facing designation would apply to the courts, providing a formal naming for signage and potential references in maps and materials.
  • The local community and neighborhood: Gains a named tribute to a local figure (Kim O’Connell) recognizing her service.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced and filed: May 16–22, 2025 (House Docket No. 4715; primary sponsor Rob Consalvo; cosponsor Michael F. Rush)
  • House actions: Referred to House Rules (May 22, 2025); subsequent committee proceedings and reporting occurred in fall 2025.
  • Senate actions: Read; referred to the committee on Senate Rules (November 10, 2025); prior steps included passage and engrossment in the House, and concurrent or concurrent-referral actions earlier in the session.
  • Related activity: Related bill HD 4715 is noted as a replacement reference for this measure.

Sponsor and related bills

  • Primary sponsor: Rep. Rob Consalvo (with Rep. Michael F. Rush as cosponsor)
  • Related bill: HD 4715 (replaces the measure in some references)

Implementation notes

  • There is no appropriation or funding allocation specified in the text provided.
  • Any signage/marker installation would be handled by DCR under its existing standards and processes, per Section 2.
  • The designation is ceremonial and does not alter access, rules, or management of Weider Park or its tennis facilities beyond signage.

Bottom line

H.4259 seeks to honor Kim O’Connell by officially naming the Weider Park tennis courts after her and directing the DCR to install and maintain appropriate markers. The measure has progressed through committee actions and both chambers’ procedural steps, reflecting standard ceremonial naming procedures in Massachusetts law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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