Boston Battles Over Park Name

"A tree grows in Dorchester.

Actually, seven trees in this particular spot on Columbia Road: one hawthorn, two honey locusts, and four red maples.

All of them sit wistfully on a frumpy and faceless triangle of city land hard by the Southeast Expressway off-ramp.

They are joined there by a regal rose of Sharon bush, which residents planted several weeks ago, along with the trees, in honor of the late neighborhood activist Sharon Yokaitis .

Neighbors want to dress up the tiny swath with accessories like a dog run and a stone bearing a memorial plaque that would officially proclaim the space 'Sharon's Park.'

To do that, they must first win the approval of the city's Parks and Recreation Commission, a process that could get ticklish."