Banis Park is a small park located on the corner of Dorchester and Houghton Streets. At just under a half acre, 2,500 square feet, this park is much needed green space in a neighborhood crowded with three deckers.

Banis Park was acquired by the city in 1947.The park is named for its location, as it is situated in ‘Banis Square’. Both the park and the square memorialize S/Sgt. Joseph J. Banis and T/Sgt. Paul P. Banis, brothers who fought and lost their lives in World War II.

This park features a playground, ample seating, and picnic tables. Over the years, a number of groups have contributed to make substantial improvements to Banis Park. In 1999, $60,000 was donated by Maurice and Ben Bailin in loving memory of Harold ‘Mickey’ Balin. If you remember my post from Duffy Field/Wetherell Estate, these are the same individuals who originally funded the playground there! More recently, in 2009, volunteers from the Home Depots, the Oak Hill Community Development Corp., Dismas house, the city, and from the nonprofit organization KaBOOM! rebuilt the playground and made the park safer, costing about $100,000. They installed picnic tables and moved the playground closer to the street to increase visibility. Neighborhood children helped to pick out the playground equipment, colors and layout. This project was funded by a $65,000 grant from the Home Depot Foundation as well as a contribution of $7,500 from the Oak Hill CDC, the Dismas House, and the city of Worcester.

Even more recently, in 2014, Working For Worcester augmented the playground equipment by adding a jungle gym playground, rebuilding and repainting park benches, and adding to the park’s plant life.