City to Dedicate Public Park, Memorial Sculpture in Honor of Tom Lopes

In June of 2015, in support of the family of Tom Lopes, Mayor Jon Mitchell formally proposed that New Bedford name a vacant City-owned parcel at One Washington Square, “Tom Lopes Park,” to honor the first Cape-Verdean American elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, publisher of Cape Verdean News and longtime New Bedford neighborhood advocate and mentor.

The New Bedford City Council voted in support of the proposal and on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 10:00 A.M., city officials along with family and friends of Tom Lopes will gather at the at the corner of County and Sixth Streets to dedicate the new public park and memorial sculpture in honor of Tom Lopes.

The Community Leadership Team of NeighborWorks has worked with Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE), local artist Erik Durant and the family and friends of Tom Lopes to design, build, and fundraise for the memorial sculpture.

“We honor Tom Lopes for many reasons, but primarily because he was a pioneer—a trailblazer, courageous, with eyes fixed on the horizon. The park and sculpture at a prominent gateway in our city will stand as a permanent reminder to present and future residents that one person can truly make a difference,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.