“What about neighborhood parks?” is my response to the The Boston Globe article, “Call it the Emptyway” by Andrew Ryan (October 2, 2009). The article raised a myriad of issues regarding the use of the parks and something “just not right” with Boston’s newest parkland. I was quoted once again (wow, 2x in a week), Read More…
Due to the inclement weather forecasted for Saturday, the Greenway Conservancy has announced that its “Try Something New” Fall Festival has been expanded to Sunday, October 4th. The full announcement is shown below. Sunday schedule of events and activities All-day Sun. activities (12-4 pm): · Ice Skating (Plaza) · Carnival Ride (Green) · Greenway Treasure Read More…
Patrick Gookin sends in this photo showing one of the new Greenway signs in the middle of the North End Parks that has lost its way on the way to Chinatown. Watch the tourists turns their maps upside down as they look for the Chinatown arch on the corner of Salem & Cross Streets!
In a public meeting at City Hall, the Boston Redevelopment Authority presented scenarios for substantial North End development along the Greenway, filling in most of Cross Street including structures well over the established 55 foot height limit. The slides were released as part of its Greenway District Planning Study. (Click here for a PDF file Read More…
Browsing through the pages of the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy’s Annual Report reveals some interesting facts about how the Conservancy is managing the parks. On the revenue side, State is providing nearly half of the funding being used for the burgeoning Conservancy. But the most surprising element that pops out from the numbers is on the expense side. Read More…
From the Greenway Conservancy: Revised drafts of the Design Protocols for Capital Improvements within the Greenway Parks and Open Spaces and the Protocols for Reviewing Proposed Development Projects Impacting the Greenway that were discussed at the public hearing on September 1 are now posted on the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy website. Comments on the original Read More…
The long awaited Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway is now expected to be open in the Fall of 2010. Don Tellalian, architect for the project, gave a detailed update on the progress and challenges they have had to overcome. The location will be on parcel 13 between Quincy Market and Mercantile Wharf, on the Read More…
Excessive noise complaints rolled in today about last night’s movie showing of Good Will Hunting on the Greenway’s North End parks. One residential abutter said the sound level around 10 pm was “blaring … robbing my entire building of quality of life.” Another resident said her windows were rattling. A passerby reported that it was Read More…
In the public comment period of the September 1st Annual Meeting of the Greenway Conservancy, I summarized my comments on their proposed improvement and development protocols, imploring the Conservancy to incorporate basic conflict of interest language in their guidelines to stop a slippery slope that has already raised ire in the community. As a private Read More…
The following is a guest contribution from Bob Skole with his submitted comment letter regarding the Greenway Conservancy’s Guidelines. Let the Greenway remain a park and a green way. Otherwise, change the name of the Conservancy. Is the Working Draft a belated April Fool’s Day joke? Many thanks for offering the opportunity to comment on Read More…
I’ve been pretty outspoken regarding the potential for large-scale events on the Greenway and why the draft guidelines need to have some protection against the “renting-out” of the parks. But I wanted to give the Conservancy credit for also offering some very nice, community-based activities. Check out their schedule on this flyer (pdf) or go Read More…
Our new Greenway parks are at risk of being “rented-out”. As discussed in a previous post, the Greenway Leadership Council (GLC) is reviewing draft guidelines for the Greenway’s Public Programming, Special Events and General Use. Approving these “rules & regulations” is one of the most important functions of the GLC as assigned per State legislation. Chapter 306 of the Acts of 2008 created the GLC as a governing body over the private, non-profit Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. A list of current GLC members can be accessed here.
Are large, sponsored events the future of the Greenway Parks?My comment letter strongly opposes the “renting out” of the Greenway parks for large, semi-private events that could destroy the parks and the hurt the character of the North End/Waterfront neighborhood. Turning the Greenway into an outdoor convention center goes against the desired public use nature of these long-awaited parks. Click here for a PDF version of my comments.
The GLC is accepting public comments through July 15, 2009 before considering the final version of the guidelines at their next private meeting. I hope you will take a minute and submit your own comments via email to: comments@rosekennedygreenway.org.
It is a good idea to cc/copy your comments to public officials. Their emails can be found on our Resources/Links page.
Anyone is welcome to copy/paste parts of my letter at the link below.