Boston will bloom, this next early Spring along its Greenway resplendent in Daffodils and Crocuses, later a cornucopia of perennials and their colors thanks to the efforts of Mayor Thomas Menino, his “Boston Blooms” program and hundreds of volunteers and funding from the North End “Friends of North End Parks” (FOTNEP).
City Parks throughout Boston are the true beneficiaries as are local residents and visitors.
At its weekly meeting Wednesday night, hosted at the Mariner House, North Street, and open to the public, the “Friends” group, Friends of the North End Parks, received the letter they had awaited and negotiated from Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy Chair, Georgia Murray.
Clearance and the go ahead allowing the Friends to fund from its own resources upwards of 10,000 daffodil bulbs, for planting this season for early Spring bloom received the green light from Murray and her staff horticulturist Stu Schillaber shortly after 6 pm.
A lengthy Permit Application process had inhibited a pre-established collaborative process set in motion months ago between the Friends group and Greenway Executive Director Nancy Brennan.
Fortuitously the immediacy of the October-November planting season, as well as the “Boston Blooms” initiative by Mayor Menino, the City Parks Department, and the urging of Friends of the North End Parks, which is prepared to self-fund and provide free professional horticultural guidance, allowed for the setting of the near-term planting dates: Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3 (rain date November 7).
What appeared to be a developing contentious, ill-timed seasonal beautification process, devolving from a collaborative start was concluded collaboratively when RKGC Chair, Murray acquiesced in Brennan’s absence and cleared the permitting hurdles to speed the process.
The Friends of the North End Parks (FOTNEP) immediately commenced final planning and staging for the November 2nd and 3rd planting programs, in co-operation and co-collaboration with Greenway Conservancy staff and volunteers.
Ken Rowland
Friends of the North End Parks
The successful collaboration between Fotnep and the Green Way Conservancy is a huge win for the North End residents and the City of Boston.
This Good Will gesture, on the part of the Conservancy will result in a vibrant blast of color this Spring, on Parcels 8 & 10.
We look forward to a huge turnout for the Community Planting days on Friday, November 2nd and Saturday, November 3rd. from 9AM to Noon. Tools and refreshments will be provided. Gloves are encouraged.
The revitalization of these Parcels will be a visible testimony and source of Civic pride.
A place to rest, reflect and share the beauty of this incredible area.
Looking forward to a more beautiful North End future.
Hi Ken, just a catch up re your important LONG Letter to Editor in Regional Review newspaper 12/24/12 — I’d like to be in touch with you and share information with you, inasmuch as I have had similar impressions of the “unsuscessful” RKGreenway since the NoEndParcels designs were first being proposed (dismal designs) followed by several letters, tv interview, etc.etc.
— pls reply to my email address if possible — thanks terri email: quiltingmagic@yahoo.com thanks…