Walczak honored with naming of ball field at Szot Park

June 15, 2021 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

Stanley Walczak spoke after the unveiling of the new name in his honor of softball field number one at Szot Park.
Reminder Publishing photo by G. Michael Dobbs

CHICOPEE – City Councilor Stanley Walczak was honored on June 10 with the naming of one of the two softball diamonds at Szot Park in his honor.

For Walczak this was his career in public service coming full circle. It was at this diamond that he served as an umpire, he said during the naming ceremony.

A Chicopee native, Walczak worked 35 years for the Parks and Recreation Department with the last 20 years as superintendent. He was responsible for 32 parks, three cemeteries and other city properties.

He retired from the department in 2013 and has served as the Ward 9 City Councilor since 2016. He recently announced he is not running for re-election.

In 2005, the Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association recognized him as the Park Professional of the Year for his renovation of several Chicopee parks. One of the projects included the restoration of  the 1939 Szot Park colored spray fountain.    

Mayor John Vieau read a proclamation from the city at the ceremonies and state Sen. Eric Lesser and state Sen. Adam Gomez presented a proclamation from the state Senate.

Vieau noted that Walczak had successfully received a $1.2 million Gateway City grant that refurbished the Szot Park Sports Complex, including new stadium lighting and bleachers, an automatic irrigation system, new scoreboards and team dugouts, turf and drainage upgrades and handicap accessibility to the fields.

State Rep. Joseph Wagner noted he speaks at many of these kind of events, but said, “This one is very personal to me.”

Wagner recounted how he worked for Walczak in his youth as a baseball umpire in the Parks Department.

“He’s done a great job,” Wagner said, adding Walczak is the “quintessential public servant.”

Walczak said the success stories from his time in the Parks Department “are clearly a team effort.” He singled out former Mayor Richard Kos, who was in attendance,  and thanked him for “your inspiration and support.”

With the softball teams from Chicopee High and Chicopee Comp waiting to play a game, Walczak said, “I think it’s time to play ball.”

Share this: