NorthEndWaterfront.com » Parks

Richmond Street Dog Run and Park Opens After Renovation

Matt Conti — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:09:37 +0000

North End dog owners are rejoicing at the opening of the renovated dog run and park on Richmond Street adjacent to the Callahan Tunnel ramp. The new layout was designed to be easier to maintain without all the mud, trash and blight issues of the park’s former condition. Owned by the State, the Massachusetts Department [...]

Neighborhood View of the Day: Wisteria Blooms in Christopher Columbus Park

NorthEndWaterfront.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:40:03 +0000

Wisteria does not necessarily bloom every year so we’re lucky to see it hanging in all its glory this year from the trellis at Christopher Columbus Park. The FOCCP Horticulture “Hotties” Volunteers trim and take care of the winding vines including the bark knots that have their own intricate patterns. The ladies also are actively [...]

Photos: Mayor’s 2013 Coffee Hour at Christopher Columbus Park

Matt Conti — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:20:31 +0000

Mayor Thomas M. Menino could not make last week’s Mayor’s Coffee Hour at Christopher Columbus Park, but that did stop the friendly community gathering. Helping stand in for the Mayor were Property Chief Michael Galvin, Parks Commissioner Antonia Pollak, City Councilors Sal LaMattina, Felix Arroyo and Rob Consalvo along with State Representatives Aaron Michlewitz and [...]

Public Meeting & Workshop on the Greenway’s Wharf District Parks – June 4, 2013

NorthEndWaterfront.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:09:35 +0000

The Rose Kennedy Greenway Community and Wharf District Council invite you to a public meeting and workshop to discuss seasonal plans for the Wharf District Parks and to obtain community input on park use and interests. This is the first joint public meeting of the Wharf District Council and the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and a great opportunity [...]

Coffee Hour (Sans Mayor) Brings Out Neighbors to Christopher Columbus Park

NorthEndWaterfront.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:15:14 +0000

It was a great morning for the Mayor’s annual coffee hour at Christopher Columbus Park on Tuesday. Unfortunately, Mayor Menino could not make it this year so Councilor Sal LaMattina and other city officials stepped in to talk to residents about the parks and neighborhood issues. The kids from the Eliot School made a “Thank [...]

Homeless Problem Addressed by City Councilors at Annual Meeting of Friends of Christopher Columbus Park [Video]

Matt Conti — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:06:17 +0000

The annual meeting of Friends of Christopher Columbus Park was the forum for a lengthy discussion regarding increasing homeless problems in the park, including a recent death. One of the most troubled areas is the tot lot that often becomes an encampment for homeless people to sleep at night. Parents have found blood in the [...]

Downtown View: City Gardening Opportunities Everywhere

Karen Cord Taylor — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:01:17 +0000

Spring is definitely here so downtown residents’ inclinations turn to gardening. Digging in dirt, planting flowers, doing a bit of pruning and scooping up the winter’s detritus, all on a sunny day, is satisfying after hugging the fire all winter. Back Bay’s magnolias and Beacon Hill’s pears are gone, but they provided weeks of enjoyment [...]

Councilors LaMattina and Linehan File for Hearing to Increase Parks Budget With Development Funding

Matt Conti — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:00:04 +0000

City Councilors Sal LaMattina and Bill Linehan have proposed using the current Boston building boom to increase funding for the city’s ailing parks system. The program would work similar to the Inclusionary Development Program (IDP). The IDP sets aside 13% of units for affordable housing in new developments or builders contribute 15% of the total [...]

Friends of the North End Parks Plant 1000 Pansies on Cross Street Plaza Along Greenway

FOTNEP — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:52:35 +0000

The Friends of the North End Parks were busy last week planting 1000 pansies along the Cross Street Plaza planters, around the Tony DeMarco statue and in the Prado (Paul Revere Mall). Jorge Mendoza of Monica’s made a generous contribution to support the volunteer efforts of FOTNEP. FOTNEP continues the beautify the Parks in The [...]

Conversation with NEWRA’s Greenway Conservancy Board Member

Matt Conti — Sun, 12 May 2013 21:11:36 +0000

At the May 9, 2013 meeting of the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA), Robyn Reed, NEWRA’s representative on the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy Board of Directors, discussed the Conservancy’s recent Public Meeting and North End Parks Community Workshop. Residents then joined in a discussion with Robyn about recent issues on the Greenway [...]

Copp’s Hill Burying Ground Ironwork Fence Restoration Underway

Matt Conti — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:43:41 +0000

Boston Parks Department has started repairs at Copp’s Hill Burying Ground including the restoration of the ornamental ironwork fencing along Charter Street. In addition, deteriorated cast- and wrought-iron plot fences and an old cast-iron drinking fountain in the center of the site are part of the project. Copp’s Hill Burying Ground is Boston’s second oldest [...]

Parks Meeting Addresses Deteriorating Condition of North End Parks & Open Spaces

Matt Conti — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:50:52 +0000

A large crowd of North End residents gathered on Tuesday night to discuss how to improve the neighborhood’s parks and playgrounds. The meeting was chaired by Anne M. Pistorio of the NEWRA Parks and Open Spaces Committee. Special guest speakers were Parks Commissioner Antonia Pollak and City Councilor Sal LaMattina. Commissioner Pollak thanks North End [...]

Friends of Christopher Columbus Park & Sunstone Investors Plant New Dwarf Crabapple Trees [Slideshow]

FOCCP — Tue, 07 May 2013 01:27:09 +0000

The all-volunteer Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) hosted a Monday morning ceremony to plant two new dwarf crabapple trees in the park. The trees were planted at the southwest entrance of the park, close to Quincy Market, replacing trees lost during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The new trees are fully funded by Sunstone Hotel [...]

“Doc’s Long Wharf” Case Returns to Superior Court; City Argues Dismissal; North End Ten Add New Complaints

Matt Conti — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:03:31 +0000

The Long Wharf legal case comes back to Superior Court this week. The action follows a March 2013 Supreme Judicial Court ruling against a North End citizens group arguing for open space protection, under Article 97. The ruling supported a 2007 Boston Redevelopment Authority lease for “Doc’s Long Wharf,” a proposed 4,655 square-foot waterfront restaurant [...]

Tot Lot Cleanup and Party Brings Out Families to Christopher Columbus Park

Matt Conti — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:43:03 +0000

Hundreds of parents and neighbors pitched in at the annual Friends of Christopher Columbus Park tot lot cleanup. This year’s event was expanded to a full blown family social for kids of all ages. Boston Fire brought out Engine 8 and let the kids shoot water from the fire hose into Boston Harbor. Big Joe [...]

Volunteers Needed for Spring Planting by the Friends of the North End Parks

Matt Conti — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:34:31 +0000

If you enjoyed the daffodils, help Friends of the North End Parks continue neighborhood floral color into the next season. Volunteers* needed to help plant spring flowers in the North End. Join your neighbors on: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Meet on Cross Street Plaza, corner of Salem and Cross streets [...]

Parks Commissioner Antonia Pollak and City Councilor Sal LaMattina to Speak at NEWRA’s May 7th Parks Committee Meeting

NEWRA — Sun, 05 May 2013 18:41:51 +0000

Parks Commissioner Antonia Pollack and City Councilor Salvatore LaMattina “North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Parks” Tuesday, May 7, 2013 Nazzaro Center, 7:00 PM. Antonia Pollak, Commissioner of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, will join City Councilor Sal LaMattina in a discussion about our neighborhood parks at the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association’s (NEWRA) Parks and Open Space [...]

Food Truck Throwdown Brings Thousands to Greenway; Boston Takes the Win Over NYC [Photos]

Matt Conti — Sun, 05 May 2013 18:34:15 +0000

It was a New York City “strEATs” versus Boston “Alliance” Food Truck Throwdown on Saturday on the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway’s Wharf District Parks. This was the 2nd annual “throwdown.” Nine food trucks from Boston competed with nine from New York City. The weather was perfect and the event moved from Dewey Square last year [...]

“Eye of the Tiger” Boxing at the Gassy [Video]

Matt Conti — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:16:07 +0000

On Thursday night about 9pm, two guys decided to get in some boxing training at the North End’s “Gassy” on Prince St. while blaring “Eye of the Tiger” on the boombox. Jason Aluia catches the “zunzies” in this video clip that many neighbors reported having heard from their windows. Sorry to have missed them running [...]

Friends of Christopher Columbus Park and Sunstone Hotel Investors Plant Three Trees at Park

FOCCP — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:43:39 +0000

The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP), the all-volunteer, donor-funded booster organization for the park, will host a ceremony to plant two new dwarf crabapple trees in the park on Monday, May 6 at 10AM. The trees will be planted at the southwest entrance of the park, close to Quincy Market, replacing trees lost during [...]

Spring 2013 Daffodils at Copp’s Hill Burying Ground [Photo Gallery]

Matt Conti — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:51:53 +0000

It finally feels like Spring and the daffodils are blooming in all their yellow glory. Every year, a neighbor reminds me to take photos of the daffodils at Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. This gallery is the result. Enjoy! Photos by Matt Conti More daffodils!

Neighborhood View of the Day: Boston Shines in the North End

Matt Conti — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 18:42:08 +0000

A large group of North Enders came out on Saturday morning for the annual Boston Shines community cleanup. Neighbors met on the Prado and enjoyed coffee provided by the Lions Club before heading out with brooms and shovels to different streets and parks around the North End / Waterfront. The City’s Public Works Department provided [...]

Walk as One on World Labyrinth Day – May 4, 2013

Matt Conti — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:53:48 +0000

World Labyrinth Day: Walk as One at 1pm on Saturday, May 4, 2013 as people from all over the world walk a labyrinth in solidarity and peace. Countries participating include the United States, Canada, Ireland, England, the Bahamas, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, China, South Africa and Australia. World Labyrinth Day, annually held on the first Saturday of [...]

Blanca Batteau Fincham Honored at Greenway Tree Planting Ceremony

Joanne Hayes-Rines — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 02:22:12 +0000

Blanca Batteau Fincham, one of the Waterfront’s loveliest ladies, passed away on March 17 at the age of 91 years young. Together with her husband Chris, Blanca gave much of her time and energy supporting the North End and Waterfront. The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy honored her on April 26 with a special tree planting ceremony on [...]

Man Dies After Pulled From Boston Harbor at Christopher Columbus Park; Perhaps After Being Pushed in a Fight

Matt Conti — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:08:36 +0000

A man died after being pulled from Boston Harbor on Wednesday morning at Christopher Columbus Park. The man may have been pushed over the seawall in a fight. The area around the spray fountains near the Marriott Long Wharf was closed off in the park by yellow police tape into the afternoon. The incident may [...]

Video: 1st Annual Daffodil Day on the Greenway’s North End Parks

Matt Conti — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 02:55:20 +0000

Video: 1st Annual Daffodil Day on Sunday, April 14, 2013 hosted by the Friends of the North End Parks, Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and North End Beautification Committee. Highlights: Ribbon cutting by City Councilor Sal LaMattina Musical performances by the Boston String Academy Spring daffodil poem, read by Grace Abbott See the article and daffodil photos from this [...]

Greenway Mural Replacement, Public Art, Gala, Rings Fountain Maintenance & Carousel Progress Updates [Video]

Matt Conti — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:45:44 +0000

Video: Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy Staff Updates from the April 9, 2013 Board of Directors Meeting. Timeline Index: 00:00 – Jesse Brackenbury, COO and Acting Executive Director Replacement of Dewey Square Mural Public Art RFQ Update Gala on the Greenway – May 13 and 14, 2013 03:30 Rings Fountain Maintenance - Robert Stigberg, Superintendent of Maintenance [...]

Programs on the Greenway – 2012 Review and Schedule for 2013 [Video]

Matt Conti — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:36:13 +0000

Video: Review of 2012 Greenway Programs and Schedule for 2013 presented by Charlie McCabe, Greenway Conservancy Director of Programs (April 9, 2013 Board of Directors Meeting) Have a program idea or want to run an event on the Greenway? Contact info@rosekennedygreenway.org for more information.

New Trial Denied for Louis Costa in 1986 North End Murders

Matt Conti — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 01:17:03 +0000

Louis Costa will not receive a third trial in the 1986 double murder case where the bodies of Frank Chiuchiolo and Joseph Bottari were found in the North End’s Slye Park (now known as Copp’s Hill Terrace Park), according to a ruling Thursday by Massachusetts Supreme Court Judicial Court Judge Robert Mulligan. Last year, the the double [...]

Brainstorming on the Future of the Greenway [Video]

Matt Conti — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:40:24 +0000

Brainstorming was on the agenda at the most recent Greenway Conservancy Board of Directors meeting held on April 9, 2013. Starting with the Board Members and then opening the discussion to the public, Chair Georgia Murray, explained that several realities have changed on the Greenway in the past few years such as the withdrawal of [...]

Playground Pizza Party and Tot-Lot Clean-up at Christopher Columbus Park on May 4, 2013

FOCCP — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 22:21:56 +0000

Join the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) at the May 4, 2013 Park Playground Pizza Party & Tot-Lot Cleanup. The fun gets started at 12 noon and runs through 2:00 pm. Big Joe the Storyteller will be on hand along with free children’s activities including face painting, pizza and games. Spring is in the [...]

RUFF and MassDOT Team Up to Give a Facelift to Richmond Street “Dog Park”

Responsible Urbanites For Fido — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:26:09 +0000

As part of the Mayor’s Boston Shines event, the Mass Department of Transportation is teaming with RUFF and the Mayor’s office to give the Richmond Street park a facelift. The Mass DOT will be putting down all new ground cover in the park, as well as adding new plantings and fences within the park. Work [...]

1st Annual Daffodil Day on the North End Parks Celebrates Spring [Photos]

Matt Conti — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:46:24 +0000

The Friends of the North End Parks joined with the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and North End Beautification Committee for the 1st Annual Daffodil Day on Sunday, April 14, 2013. The event celebrated the beauty of Spring on the Greenway with daffodils, music, poetry and fun. City Councilor Sal LaMattina led the ribbon cutting [...]

Jigsaw Picture Puzzle: Labyrinth Fountain and Abstract Sculpture

Matt Conti — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:28:59 +0000

Walking past the Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway, I noticed that the vertical fountain in the center labyrinth has been turned on for the season. Also in full display is the new configuration of the dodecahedron abstract sculpture. This jigsaw picture puzzle has 50 pieces, enjoy! (Photo by Matt Conti)

Skateboarder Assaults Greenway Staff on North End Parks

Matt Conti — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 15:53:49 +0000

Amy Dwyer of the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy spoke to the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) about an incident involving skateboarders on the North End Parks. According to the report, the incident occurred this week on Parcel 10 in the North End Parks when staff confronted skateboarders that were damaging the park’s [...]

Shade Umbrellas Coming to North End Greenway Parks This Spring

Matt Conti — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 23:53:43 +0000

As the better weather arrives, a recurring issue on the North End Greenway Parks is the lack of shade. In response to feedback including the recent community workshop, the Greenway Conservancy has approved a $15,000 expenditure for 11 new shade umbrellas on the hardscape surface under the pergola area. At the workshop, the type of [...]