NorthEndWaterfront.com
News & Views for Boston's North End & Waterfront Community
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)
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 [...]
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 [...]
The Friends of the North End Parks (FOTNEP) presented this week to the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy Board of Directors in support of their plan to enhance the plantings on the Greenway. FOTNEP President Nathan Swain described the group’s efforts in coordination with the Conservancy to plant 13,000 daffodils last fall. A Spring celebration [...]
Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) President, Joanne Hayes-Rines, presented to the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy Board of Directors on April 9, 2013 with an update on the neighboring city park in the North End / Waterfront. In particular, Ms. Hayes-Rines focused on a major project this year to irrigate and beautify the Crossroads Circle [...]
The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy Board of Directors has a scheduled public meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at Atlantic Wharf, 290 Congress Street. Of note to the North End / Waterfront area, there are two “Friends” groups presenting to the Conservancy Board, Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) & [...]
Photos: The Abstract Dodecahedron Sculpture, before and after its reconfiguration. The Abstract Sculpture, a split dodecahedron, at the Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway was reconfigured on Sunday morning, April 7, 2013. The reconfiguration is the first time the sculpture has been changed since the park was dedicated in May 2012. The sculpture and its [...]
New Greenway Conservancy (GC) Board Members from the North End, John Pregmon and Robyn Reed, along with several Conservancy staff members, hosted a well-attended community workshop. The goal, according to Pregmon was to help “serve as catapult and bridge” between the community and the non-profit that manages the North End Parks. The Greenway parks have [...]
During our monthly meeting on May 14, 2013 the annual election of FOCCP officers and two Directors-at-Large will take place. Officer positions include President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Clerk. Details on the roles and responsibilities of each of these positions can be found in the FOCCP By-Laws. Members in good standing who wish to run for [...]
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 [...]
Rehabilitation work is scheduled to start in mid-April at 201 North Street on the eight-story Vent Tunnel Building over the Callahan Tunnel. MassDOT and its contractor, GVW Inc., explained at a March 27, 2013 meeting that while the structure is sound, the bricks on the outside are literally falling off the building. All four sides [...]
The North End Egg Hunt was a huge hit with over 90 kids showing up at Langone Park, Puopolo Field and the Mirabella Pool area. Eggs were hidden on the ball fields, basketball court, around the bocce courts and the playground. The successful event was organized by Becca Griffin on Friday, March 29, 2013. A Parks [...]
The Greenway Conservancy staff along with Greenway Board members John Pregmon and Robyn Reed invite you to hear about seasonal plans for the North End Parks and provide input on park use and interests. When: Tuesday April 2, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT Where: Fairmount Battery Wharf Hotel Col. William Sturgis Room [...]
Most neighborhoods have iconic trees. The Back Bay has its magnolias. Beacon Hill blossoms with Callery pear trees in late April. The North End’s favorite trees are the lindens and locusts along the Prado, slated this spring for pruning. Charlestown has variety, with especially good gingkos. Downtown residents get pretty agitated about trees. When city [...]
The latest dog poop quagmire is at the North End baseball fields, shown in these photos by Stefan Modzelewski. Taken at Puopolo Field on Commercial St., he appropriately notes “the photos speak for themselves.” The fields are posted “No Dogs” but this is obviously not the case. A trash barrel or a big belly compacter [...]
A legal fight that started in 2007 over Long Wharf neared its conclusion on Friday as the Supreme Judicial Court rejected the open space and park protection arguments of a North End citizens group, paving the way for a restaurant or development at the site. The SJC supported the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and Mass. [...]
Video: Downtown Waterfront & Greenway District Zoning Planning Initiative – Project Overview, held at the New England Aquarium IMAX Theater on March 13, 2013 A large crowd attended the Wednesday night kickoff for the Downtown Waterfront and Greenway District Zoning Planning Initiative. Led the the Boston Redevelopment Authority with its consultant, Utile Inc., the Downtown [...]
Jesse Brackenbury, Acting Executive Director of the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, gave an operational and event update at the March 12, 2013 meeting of the North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC). On the horticulture front, 5 or 6 maple trees will be added this Spring to the North End parks, along the western [...]
A large group of North End and Downtown Boston residents showed up at Monday’s meeting of the North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) to lobby for keeping open the Steriti Rink beyond the winter season. State Representative Aaron Michlewitz has been working on behalf of the group with the Department of Conservation and Recreation [...]
Video: Bartlett Place Improvements Public Meeting held on February 28, 2013 at the Nazzaro Community Center. Note: The projector was not working so there was only a laptop available to view the presentation. The full presentation is available here as a pdf. Neighboring residents, businesses and city officials reached a broad consensus on how to [...]
Join the Boston Redevelopment Authority and their consultant Utile Inc., for the following series of events to learn about the Downtown Waterfront and Greenway District Zoning Planning Initiative and opportunities for participating in the planning process. Please reference the attached flyer for more details. Project Overview Wednesday, March 13th 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. New [...]
Looking for an out of the ordinary way to impress your valentine? Head to Faneuil Hall Marketplace and stroll through the red blinking love trees (video attached). Faneuil Hall Marketplace has many restaurants offering specials for lovers and singles alike. Anthem Kitchen & Wine Bar and Mija are just two hot spots that will ensure [...]
In many ways, it was a magical weekend in Boston’s North End / Waterfront as the Blizzard of 2013 had great timing to fall on a weekend, topped off by a sunny “Day After” Sunday. Sure, there were the expected problems from the 5th largest snowfall of all time, but most neighbors seemed to be [...]
As of mid-day on Sunday, February 10th, the clean-up and recovery efforts from the Blizzard of 2013 are continuing with the following headlines: Boston Public Schools will be closed on Monday, February 11th … read more Parking Ban & Snow Emergency remain in effect … read more Trash and recycling are on a normal schedule [...]
At this week’s meeting of the Friends of the North End Parks (FOTNEP), the mood was gloomy after their community-based horticulture plan for the North End Greenway parks was rejected by the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. Still, the volunteer group of neighbors re-committed themselves to upgrade the plantings in and around Parcels 8 and [...]
Mayor Thomas M. Menino has announced that the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) has been awarded a $20,000 Beautify Boston Grant, which will be used for improvements to the park’s southeast corner. FOCCP is the all-volunteer booster organization that funds the winter trellis lighting and other park activities. The grant allows FOCCP to [...]
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department has awarded the Old North Church an $11,000 grant to trim the trees in the Prado behind the church. The matching grant, from the competitive Beautify Boston program, will pay half of the cost of pruning the forty-four linden trees and eight locust trees in the park. The Old [...]
The trash cans at the small park on the corner of Richmond and Commercial Street are gone. Joy M. shares this news and wonders: Why did they take out their trash cans in the park? I know a lot of people eat at that park on the benches and it is nice to have trash [...]
Video: General Greenway Update – Board of Directors Meeting on January 29, 2013. The video shown is the third and final part of this board meeting. View the first part on Governance Revisions and/or second part on Carousel Contracts. 00:00 Acting Executive Director Jesse Brackenbury gives an update on the Winter Lights program and a [...]
Contracts related to the custom carousel by the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy were reviewed and approved at the January 29, 2013 Board of Directors meeting. Linda Jonash, Director of Planning & Design, presented a new contract to the Board for the surrounding park and tree grove as well as follow on contracts for the [...]
Video: Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy Board Meeting 1/29/13, Atlantic Wharf, 290 Congress St. – Part 1 of 3 – Governance Revisions The Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy revised its governance documents at the January 29, 2013 Board of Directors meeting. The Board also voted to bring on a new member, Robyn Reed, nominated by the [...]
The Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy has issued the agenda for this week’s meeting of the Board of Directors. The public meeting is on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, 5:30 pm at Atlantic Wharf, 290 Congress Street. More information can be found at RoseKennedyGreenway.org.
This week’s picture puzzle features a snowy scene at the Gassy playground. I found this one a bit harder because a lot of the jigsaw puzzle pieces look the same. But, I know you’ll be able to get it!
With 244 total votes, the Greenway Winter Lights poll results decisively show a preference for lighted trees and structures, as well as winter gardens and ice sculptures. Perhaps just as telling, the disco balls received the lowest number of votes, even less than leaving it empty. Read more in Greenway “Winter Lights” Turns to Plight. [...]
The Friends of the North End Parks (FOTNEP) issued the following news release today citing a potential cost savings opportunity for the State’s transportation department, MassDOT, by volunteering to partner with the largely taxpayer funded Greenway Conservancy to support and improve the horticulture on the North End Parks. Community Friends Group Seeks Greenway Approval on [...]
It’s the first significant snow of 2013! A few iPhone pics from me along Commercial Street, Denise Clancy captures the Gassy, Patricia Reddington on the waterfront, the Prado shared by Maria Shea and Christopher Columbus Park photos from Joanne Hayes-Rines. Email your photos to info@northendwaterfront.com and I will add them to the slideshow.