The light is shining brighter on the North End’s Prado, known formally as the Paul Revere Mall, on the Freedom Trail between Hanover & Unity Street. Long overdue tree trimming and pruning is underway along the historic, red bricked open space that will not only give the trees some healthy breathing room, but also allow the sun to light and better dry out the shaded and often damp urban park.
Spearheaded by the Old North Church Foundation and a matching grant from Boston Parks and Recreation Department, the $22,000 project will prune 44 linden trees and 8 locust trees in the park.
The tree trimming will also restore sight lines between the Prado’s book end churches, showcasing Old North’s famous iconic spire on Salem Street and St. Stephen’s Bulfinch bell tower on Hanover Street. Also gaining some light from the tree pruning are Cyrus Dallin’s famous equestrian Paul Revere statue and the large circular fountain feature inside the Prado. It was one year ago when the community came together to celebrate the Prado and bring attention to its deteriorating condition.
The City’s grant was awarded as part of the competitive Beautify Boston program. Old North matched the grant with donations and proceeds from their annual gala held in March 2013.
Photos courtesy of Old North Church.
My comment is a little late, but having just walked through the Prado on this beautiful spring day, this pruning seemed a bit more like a butchering. Gone is the lovely canopy that hung over the area. The North End has very few healthy trees, and we are losing more and more every year. In this past winter, two large trees on Hanover fell victim to a truck and a storm. We need as much greenery as possible, and should not be buzz cutting an area simply to give a sight line to some churches, as historic as they may be.
I generally support the efforts of the many North End volunteers who beautify our neighborhood. In this instance, however, I think this was a real mistake, and went well beyond what would be considered healthy pruning.