EAST PROVIDENCE — Former City Councilor Joe Larisa defended the accuracy of his late mother's contribution to the acquisition of what was formerly called "Rose Larisa Park" at the Riverside waterfront, which the current incarnation of the Council last month rechristened as "Crescent Park."

Larisa, who served multiple terms on the Council in the 1990s and 2000s, spoke during the public comments section of the most recent meeting of the body Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Nearly a month prior to the day, July 18, the Council voted unanimously to call the 10.0-acre parcel situated between the historic Looff Carousel and Providence River "Crescent Park."

Larisa opined some have said the name change was done "unfairly...but it's done."

He continued saying his appearance Tuesday was his attempt to clarify the historical record as he remembered it.

He acknowledged the acts of the "Carousel Five" — Riverside residents at the time Dr. Richard Lund, Gail Durfee, Linda McEntee, Jobelle Tracy Aguiar and Robin Peacock — who efforts in the 1980s led to the preservation of the historic ride.

However, he stressed it was his mother, Rose Larisa, who led the attempt to procure the actual land across the street from the carousel.

He recollected Rose Larisa, along with the late Durfee whom he referred to as her "sidekick," approached him upon being elected to the Council in 1992 with the idea of trying to purchase the land from then owners, Kelly & Picerne, Inc./Picerne Properties.

Larisa said, and it was also discussed at the previous Council meeting, the real estate firm wanted to at one point build condominiums and later single family homes at the location, which was being referred to as "Bayside Park" at the time.

Rose Larisa, her son recalled, said "If we can get the carousel, why can't we get all the land."

He said the trio — himself, his mother and Durfee — spent the next 10 years working to source the necessary support, both financial and communal, for the endeavor.

They finally completed their aim in the late 1990s, leading to the city becoming owners of the property and keeping the green space the public enjoys now 20 years later.

Larisa said the park was ultimately renamed Rose Larisa Memorial Park in 2002 for two reasons: most involved understood it was her idea to acquire the land and because of her untimely death at the age of 61 while serving as a State Representative in the Rhode Island General Assembly.

Rose Larisa passed away in 1999. Durfee passed in 2013.

Larisa said there was "no opposition" to the naming at the time, in fact he claimed their was "overwhelming community support" as well as from consecutive Councils.

It should be noted, members of the Council sitting in 2013 also attempted to change the name to "Crescent Park," but were unsuccessful.

Then, as he did Tuesday, Larisa offered up similar remarks, even referencing a letter Durfee wrote in 2002 supporting the original dedication.

Last week, he once again referred to the same Durfee letter. Back in 2013, though, her daughter, Karen Bodell, said, "Speaking on behalf of my mother, she wanted it to be named Crescent Park."

Larisa continued last Tuesday, noting he had great concern about the future of the memorial stone laid at the site some two decades ago. He reminded the Council it was paid for by a private donor with a caveat attached requiring it to remain at the location in its original state.

Larisa, though, said it would be consistent with the intention of the benefactor to "enhance" the back side of the stone, which is blank. He suggested adding proper recognition of the "Carousel Five."

"Otherwise," he continued, "30 years of history will be erased."

The sponsor of the recent name change, current Ward 4 Councilor Rick Lawson, briefly responded to Larisa saying no discussions, never mind decisions, have been had on the topic.

Lawson told Larisa whatever is done and in what manner "will be respectful...and we do want your input and from surviving members of the 'Carousel Five.'"

He added, "We will absolutely work with everyone for those six people to be properly honored."