Trying to keep peace quietly

The city was all for Donovan Walker's "No Violence Zone" in Roxbury's Ramsay Park back when he proposed it in 2004, after a brazen daylight shooting of a 23-year-old basketball coach in the park.

At the time, police and the mayor were reeling from escalating summer violence and criticism that the city was not doing enough to stop it. And Democrats were starting to arrive for their national convention. Walker's program, with activities for young people in the neighborhood, got ringing endorsements and help from the city, which gave him a pass on permits and other red tape that year.

"If there's a way to expand the program," the mayor's spokesman said about a year ago, "the mayor would be very interested in seeing that happen."

But now Walker says the city has changed its tune.

The city Parks and Recreation Department is requiring several permits, which they won't give him without a note of endorsement from the police. Police so far have refused, citing complaints in the neighborhood about noise and the number of youths gathered in the park.

Walker says the program has widespread support from longtime residents in the neighborhood. But more affluent people have moved into a new development of pricey condos in the gentrifying neighborhood, and Walker suspects they are the source of the complaints.

"You've got the haves over there, and over here you've got the have-nots," he said. "Now they have those people complaining. And they are constituents who vote, have money, and call friends in power."

Police and parks officials say they are more than happy to let Walker's program go forward, but that he must find a way to address complaints about noise that can go late into the summer nights.

"He just needs to establish a safe and efficient plan for his program," said police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll. "We'll welcome that discussion if he wants that discussion. And he has to file the appropriate paperwork for the appropriate permits."

Ramsay Park is a 5.5-acre parcel on the border of the South End and Roxbury, an area that condominium developers have recently targeted.

Park officials say they provided permits for Walker's program in 2005 and 2006. Those permits allowed him to use the park, but prohibited him from playing music or distributing food. Walker went ahead with those activities anyway, in part, he says, because he was told it was OK.

The complex where Walker says most of the complaints over the park are coming from, the Statuary Lofts and the Caproni Lofts, were renovated several years ago. The units, which are across the street from the park, include stainless steel kitchen appliances, hardwood floors, and sweeping views of the city. Some units were marketed at $350,000 and came with a wine rack, not the kind of amenities typically marketed to lower-income residents historically living in that part of the city.

Police declined to provide specifics about sources of the complaints. Walker says he believes they come from some residents of the condo complex, as do some who work and live in the area.

"I really don't agree with" the residents who are complaining, said Nader Tehrani, principal of Office dA, an architecture and design firm that has offices on the first floor of the complex. "Kids are designed to make noise. What do you want them to do, tiptoe?"

For two weeks, Walker says he has placed his business card and a letter in the mailboxes of everyone in the condominium complex. No one has responded. Police say they are now trying to organize a meeting with Walker to discuss the issues raised by the residents.

Walker, founder and president of the Showdown Youth Development Organization, is hoping to hold an opening rally on May 1, before the program kicks into full gear from June 1 to Sept. 8.

Mary Hines, spokeswoman for the Parks and Recreation Department, said city officials support programs like Walker's and have tried to work with him to obtain the necessary permits, which include one to use the park, another to use a disc jockey, and a third to provide food.

"You have to be sensitive to the people that live around there, as well," she said. "It can work. It can work very well. It's a wonderful place for people to come together. But if they feel threatened and afraid, you don't go in."

At Walker's camp, there is typically a high school basketball clinic during the day. From about 4 to 11 p.m. each night, there are board games for children and basketball and tennis for teenagers. They grill steak tips, chicken, and hot dogs. Music is played over two 4-foot-tall speakers.

"It's like a block party," said John Sol, a 44-year-old Roxbury resident. "The whole community comes out. It's a good atmosphere. And for the kids, it's a way for them to stay off the streets."

Some residents say Walker's camp has instilled a sense of safety at the park that they fear will go away if it is disbanded.

"If the Violence Free Zone doesn't come here, the shootings will not go way up," said Reggie Clagon, who has started helping organize the program.

Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.