A section of the lower Highlands neighborhood of Lowell was recently designated “Cambodia Town” by the city the significance of which is explained as follows on the city of Lowell website:
The City of Lowell has designated the Cambodia Town area within the Lower Highlands neighborhood in order to elevate interest in the area’s stores and restaurants, attract new businesses, bring in tourists, and increase civic pride. The official designation of Cambodia Town comes after dozens of public meetings and presentations dating back to 2010. The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and the Lower Highlands Neighborhood Group played an important role in communicating with residents and generating ongoing interest and participation in the effort to create this designated area.
The preparation for the creation of Cambodia Town involved sign and facade improvements, the installation of “gateway signs,” and renovations and upgrades to Roberto Clemente Park, to include placing Cambodian artwork on the new concession stand and the dedication of the Pai-Lin Volleyball Courts.
Several local elected officials spoke at the ceremony on Sunday, including State Sen. Eileen Donoghue, State Rep. Kevin Murphy, Mayor Patrick Murphy, City Councilor Vesna Nuon, City Councilor Rita Mercier, and City Councilor Marty Lorrey. Along with Long Beach, CA, Lowell is now one of two cities in the United States with a Cambodia Town.
Howl-in-Lowell recently visited Cambodia Town and created the following video which explains the significance of the designation to the neighborhood’s residents.
I’ve lived within walking distance of the marathon for most of my life, going back to my childhood not far from the Commonwealth Avenue route in Brighton. I remember actually watching the legendary Johnny Kelley. Later, from spots in Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boston and at Channel 5’s studios I’ve marveled at the likes of Eino Oksanen, Bill Rodgers, Alberto Salazar, Ibrahim Hussein, Cosmos Ndeti, Bobbi Gibb, Joan Benoit, UtaPippig, Ernst Van Dyk and Jean Driscoll. I remember when women runners were forcibly pushed out of the race and when Rosie Ruiz “beat” Jacqueline Garreau by cheating.
Last year our grandson and some of his friends set up a table at the Quinobequin intersection of Routes 16 and 128 to sell cookies and lemonade to benefit breast cancer. This year, at that same place, we ran into UMass Boston Chancellor Keith Motley, there with his family to cheer on UMB folks running to benefit GoKids Boston: an initiative of the UMass Boston College of Nursing. Children’s Hospital and Dana Farber are always well represented among the runners. So many of the participants are doing the grueling run to remember a loved one or honor someone still in the struggle against disease.
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