US park dedicated to former Rockwell College pupil
A public green space in Somerville, Massachusetts, has been officially named Ken Kelly Park, in memory of Ken Kelly, a Rockwell College past pupil (Class of 1989) who passed away in December 2015 following a courageous battle with cancer.
Ken Kelly, originally from Ireland, moved to the US shortly after finishing school and went on to become a transformative figure in the Somerville community.
He was the driving force behind several landmark hospitality venues including; The Independent, Brass Union, Foundry on Elm, Saloon, and River Bar.
His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to revitalising the Union Square area earned him the John W. Fitzgerald Lifetime Achievement Award from the Somerville Chamber of Commerce in 2014.
In recognition of his lasting impact on the local community, the city has renamed 217 Somerville Avenue as Ken Kelly Park, a tribute to his legacy of civic engagement, community building, and innovation.
The park includes trees from a local nursery to add beauty, shade, and ecological value to the space.
Ken’s ties to Ireland, and to Tipperary in particular, remain strong through his connection to Rockwell College.
The school continues to honour his memory through the Ken Kelly Fitness Suite, a dedicated facility on campus that bears his name and recognises his commitment to fostering community and wellbeing.
“It’s wonderful to see Ken’s legacy continuing to be honoured in Somerville,” said a spokesperson from Rockwell College.
“Just as it is here at Rockwell, his impact, both locally and abroad, remains a lasting inspiration.