Friends of the East Boston Greenway: Flooding to be discussed at Jan. 25 meeting

Thursday, January 25, 2018
6:30-8pm
Anna DeFronzo Center
395 Maverick Street, East Boston, MA

AGENDA

1. Police Report
2. Discussion of recent flooding. who experienced what, where?  Greenway impacts.
3. Recap of December mural grand opening event
4. Announcement & discussion of Barr Foundation Waterfront Initiative grant.  Friends of East Boston Greenway in partnership with the Mystic River Watershed Association and Boston Society of Landscape Architects
5. New Business.

2018 meeting dates:

In general, the fourth Thursday of the month, including:

January 25, February 22, March 22, April 26, May 24, June 28, July 26, (no meeting in August), September 27, October 25, November 15* (earlier in month), December 27

Please save the date and help spread the word!  All are welcome.

September 28: Friends of East Boston Greenway with the Greenway Council

Friends of the East Boston Greenway
With the East Boston Greenway Council

Thursday, September 28, 2017
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Anna DeFronzo Center
395 Maverick Street, East Boston
Near the corner of Jeffries Street


AGENDA


1.  Introductions

2.  Greenway Safety and Security Update
Boston Police Dept. District A-7
 Community Services Sergeant Martin and Officer Simons

3.  Heidi Schork, The Mural Crew
    Greenway Mural Update

4.  Linton Harrington, The Trustees (invited)
    Final Report on summer youth work

5.  Kannan Thiru
    Climate Ready Boston:  The Role of the Greenway in Preparing East Boston for    Flooding Due to Sea Level Rise

6.  Barr Foundation Waterfront Initiative RFP
    Update and discussion of opportunity
   
7.  New Business / Old Business


CALENDAR OF MEETINGS
All meetings on 4th Thurs at 6:30 PM

Upcoming meetings: 2017:    Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 16 (note change), Dec. TBD








       

May 25: Friends of the East Boston Greenway and the Greenway Council meet

Thursday, May 25, 2017
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Anna DeFronzo Center
395 Maverick Street, East Boston
Near the corner of Jeffries Street


AGENDA

1.  Introductions 

2.  Greenway Safety and Security Update 
Boston Police Dept. District A-7
 Community Services Sergeant Martin and Officer Simons

3.  Greenway Murals
Heidi Schork, The Mayor’s Mural Crew

4.  Climate Ready East Boston
Workshop held May 23

5.  New Business / Old Business


CALENDAR OF MEETINGS
All meetings on 4th Thurs at 6:30 PM

Upcoming meetings: 2017: May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 16 (note change), Dec. TBD     

April 27: Friends of the East Boston Greenway with the East Boston Greenway Council

Meeting Notice

Thursday, Apr. 27, 2017
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Anna DeFronzo Center
395 Maverick Street, East Boston
Near the corner of Jeffries Street

AGENDA

1.  Introductions
2.  Greenway Safety and Security Update  Boston Police Dept. District A-7 Community Services Sergeant Martin and Officer Simons

3.  Greenway Flooding
Update from Robert Rottenbucher, City of Boston, Parks Dept. Chief  Engineer
Update from Kannan:  Flooding Exacerbation (Editorial note: Rottenbucher, will give a brief presentations about the flooding on the Greenway causes and solutions.)

4.  Youth Conservation Corps
    Linton Harrington, The Trustees

5.  New Business / Old Business
Laura Jasinski and Vidya Tikku, The Trustees:  Waterfront Initiative Connection
    E-mail update from Massport
CALENDAR OF MEETINGS
All meetings on 4th Thurs at 6:30 PM

Upcoming meetings: 2017:    Apr, 27, May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 16 (note change), Dec. TBD  

 

Feb. 23 Meeting: Friends of the East Boston Greenway with the EB Greenway Council

Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Anna DeFronzo Center
395 Maverick Street, East Boston
Near the corner of Jeffries Street

AGENDA

1.  Introductions 

2.  Greenway Safety and Security Update 
Boston Police Dept. District A-7 Community Services Sergeant Martin and Officer Simons

3.  Greenway Flooding:  Galen’s proposal for elevated walkway; Galen was to discuss with Parks Dept.

4.  Greenway Extension to Belle Isle Marsh and Winthrop
Mark Warren
Gretchen Schneider Rabinkin

5.  New Business / Old Business

CALENDAR OF MEETINGS: All meetings on 4th Thurs at 6:30 PM

Upcoming meetings: 2017:
Feb. 23, 
Mar. 23, 
Apr, 27, 
May 25, 
June 22, 
July 27,       
Aug. 24, 
Sept. 28, 
Oct. 26, 
Nov. 16 (note change), 
Dec. TBD

May 26: Greenway ribbon cutting

Please join Mayor Walsh, local elected officials, Massport, state partners and community representatives for the East Boston Greenway ribbon cutting.
               
What:
The completion of the Narrow Gauge link project represents the final portion of the East Boston Greenway, which will join the East Boston Greenway Connector that Massport completed in 2014 with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's Constitution Beach. Now that this segment is completed, it is possible for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel from Boston Harbor, through Bremen Street Park and the new East Boston Library, to Wood Island Marsh, and finally to Constitution Beach with only two roadway crossings.

When:
Thursday, May 26th at 12:45 p.m.

Where:
East Boston Greenway, Constitution Beach

Friends of East Boston Greenway Meeting Nov 20; Plus lots of related news

Reminder: Friends of East Boston Greenway Meeting
Thursday, November 20, 2014, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
East Boston YMCA, 215 Bremen Street
Meeting is the 3rd Thursday due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Agenda attached.
Please plan to attend. A developer planning a new large building at 135 Bremen Street abutting the Greenway will be presenting the project and seeking feedback regarding its interface with the Greenway path.

East Boston Programs of Interest

Birds of Belle Isle Marsh Presentation
Monday, November 17, 7:00 p.m.
Orient Heights Yacht Club 61 Bayswater St., East Boston 
Soheil Zendeh is a founding member of The Friends of Belle Isle Marsh. He is a lifelong birder and nature enthusiast. His passion and knowledge have long been an inspiration. Free and Open to the Public. Sponsored by the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh.

Tastes of the Season:  Fall Harvest Cooking Class
Tuesday, November 18, 6:00 - 8:00pm
East Boston YMCA, Teaching Kitchen at 54 Ashley Street
The East Boston YMCA Cooking For Life programs is wrapping up is free fall community cooking classes on Tuesdays that teach basic cooking skills and emphasize healthy cooking on a budget. All of the classes are taught by the Y’s Director of Kitchen Services, Chef Meg Tallon. November 18 is the last free Tuesday this fall. Cooking with seasonal ingredients ensures maximum freshness and helps you get the most for your food dollars. This class uses the fruits and vegetables of the fall harvest season to create a fall feast on a budget. Classes are held at the Y Teaching Kitchen at 54 Ashley Street on Tuesday evenings, 6:00-8:00 pm. Free on-site childcare is available to participants. Advance registration is required. Please call Meg Tallon at 617-418-7331, ext. 203, to reserve your spot.

In addition to the free community cooking classes, the East Boston Y also offers a wide array of cooking master classes --- including Decadent Desserts, Easy Italian and Extreme Holiday Meal Makeovers. Master classes are $40 for members and $50 for non-members. The proceeds from the master classes support the Y’s free community cooking and nutritional education programming. To find out more about the master classes, visit www.ymcaboston.org/eastboston/kitchen.

Zumix Jazz at the Firehouse
ZUMIX is pleased to present the Winter Jazz at the Firehouse Concert Series, featuring two nights of incredible jazz music in ZUMIX’s beautifully renovated Firehouse, just a couple blocks from East Boston’s Maverick Square. All proceeds support ZUMIX’s award-winning work using music as a tool to empower youth and build community. Each evening will open with emerging artists from ZUMIX youth programs. Beer, wine, and light refreshments available for sale. Visit www.zumix.org/community/events or call 617-568-9777 for more information.Tickets $15.
• November 23, 5pm: Nick Grondin Group, Opening Act: ZUMIX’s Jazz Ensemble
• December 7, 3pm: Jim Porcella & Steve Marvin (Vocals) featuring Jim Rice (Piano), Guest MC: Ed Gardella, Radio Host of WICN's Jazz Matinee

--
Candice Cook
Program Manager
Boston Natural Areas Network 
617-542-7696 x16
ccook@ttor.org *Note new email
www.bostonnatural.org

Massport Celebrates Opening of Greenway Connector in East Boston

Bicyclists and pedestrians invited to experience airport in new way

(BOSTON- AUGUST 21) – Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) officials and area residents celebrated the completion of a project to transform a congested wooded area adjacent to Logan International Airport and the MBTA’s Blue Line into a glistening mixed-use bicycle/pedestrian pathway.  

Known as the Boston Greenway Connector (Greenway) for its abundance of plants, trees, shrubbery, and green space, bicyclists and pedestrians in East Boston now have access to a safe and inviting pathway from Piers Park along the Wood Island Bay Marsh to a lookout area near Constitution Beach. The City of Boston, which owns the next parcel of the property, has plans to continue the thruway to Constitution Beach. 

“The new Greenway extension is another addition of open space that is helping make East Boston one of the most desirable urban communities in our state to live in and raise a family,” said State Senator Anthony Petruccelli.  “Our community activists, led by Chris Marchi, have done a remarkable job with this project and I am excited to continue to work with them on future project.”

 “The Greenway Connector is another great example of the staunch activism of the East Boston community as well as the strong partnership between the neighborhood and Massport,” said State Representative Carlo Basile.  “While not yet fully complete, this extension is one more step in connecting one end of East Boston to the other via a beautiful park system. I’m happy to know that East Bostonians will be able to enjoy this wonderful asset for many years to come.”

“We worked very closely with Massport to get this Greenway connector built,” said City Councilor Sal LaMattina, “I would like to thank Massport for all of their hard work but also for their cooperation with the City and the residents of East Boston. They listened carefully to the concerns of the community and took the steps necessary to make sure that they were addressed. The Greenway is truly a jewel in the neighborhood and I couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out.”

Massport began discussions about the project with community members and the city in 2009 before Massport’s Board voted to approve the Greenway project in 2011.  Construction for the project, which cost approximately $7 million, began in July 2013 and was completed in July 2014.  

“At Massport we often say that our parks are our pride, and the Greenway project is a prime example of how community engagement can have beneficial and long-lasting results for our neighbors,” said Massport’s CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “I am proud that we were able to successfully accomplish this project with our community partners and provide this beautiful pathway for East Boston residents to use and enjoy.”

The Greenway is a well landscaped, multi-use pedestrian and bicycle path that is approximately 2,750 feet (approximately ½ mile) in length, with a paved path that is 12 feet wide.  The project included the removal of a dilapidated pedestrian structure over the MBTA Blue Line and the demolition of an abandoned brick MWRA combined sewer outflow building at Wood Island Marsh.  Due to the proximity to the MBTA tracks and the MBTA Wood Island station, close coordination between Massport and the MBTA was necessary to ensure that the construction did not disrupt normal operations.  The overall area of the project is approximately 5.22 acres.

You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/bostonlogan and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/bostonlogan and twitter.com/Massport.

###

About Massport:
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit www.massport.com.   

Source: Massport: Jennifer Mehigan

Save the date! Greenway Celebration, August 21

Save the Date!
East Boston Greenway Connector
Community Celebration
Thursday, August 21, 2014
5:30 p.m.

Friends of the East Boston Greenway With the East Boston Greenway Council Meets on July 24, Thursday

Thursday July 24, 2014
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
East Boston YMCA, 215 Bremen St.

1.  Introductions and Welcome  

2.  Greenway Safety and Security Update 
•  Boston Police Dept. –Community Service Officer Simons, District A-7

3.  Continuing the Greenway
•  Wood Island Link Section “Greenway Connector,” Massport (invited) 
-  Soft opening expected Wed. July 23
-  Community opening celebration – date and plans?
•  Narrow Gauge Section to Constitution Beach, BRA (invited)
- Permitting progress, project status and updated 2014 timeline

4.  Programs & Volunteers
•  Youth Conservation Corps – Teens working mornings on Greenway through 8/15
•  Seed Share open at EB Library, Seed Saving Workshop Sat 6/26 12:00pm
•  NEW! Cooking workshops with BNAN and EB Ashley St YMCA 
Tuesdays 8/5, 8/19, 9/9 5:30 – 7:00pm
•  Boston Parks Dept Open Space Plan Meeting: Wednesday, August 6, 6:30 p.m.
Paris Street Community Center, 12 Paris Street

5.  New Business

CALENDAR OF MEETINGS
All meetings on 4th Thurs at East Boston YMCA, 215 Bremen Street at 6:30 p.m.
Upcoming meetings: 

August T/B/A;  Thurs. Sept. 25;  Thurs. Oct. 23

Source: Candace Cook

June 26: EB Greenway meets

Friends of the East Boston Greenway
With the East Boston Greenway Council

Thursday June 26, 2014
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
East Boston Branch Library, 365 Bremen St.
*Note special start time & location*


AGENDA
We will move through normal meeting business
followed by a history slideshow celebrating the Greenway effort’s 20 years!

1.  Introductions and Welcome 

2.  Greenway Safety and Security Update
•  Boston Police Dept. –Community Service Officer Simons, District A-7

3.  Continuing the Greenway
•  Wood Island Link Section, Massport
    -  Construction completion update
    -  Community opening celebration – date?
•  Narrow Gauge Section to Constitution Beach, BRA
- Permitting progress, project status and updated 2014 timeline

4.  Programs & Volunteers
•  Youth Conservation Corps – Teens working mornings on Greenway 7/7 – 8/15
•  THIS SATURDAY! Sat. June 28, 10:30am: Greenspace Connections and Trees Walk in Jeffries Point. Meet at Piers Park entrance.
•  Seed Share open at EB Library

5.  New Business

6.  Greenway History Slideshow


CALENDAR OF MEETINGS
All meetings on 4th Thurs at East Boston YMCA, 215 Bremen Street at 6:30 p.m.
Upcoming meetings:
Thurs. July 24     August Mtg TBA     Thurs. Sept. 25
        Boston Natural Areas Network
        www.bostonnatural.org
        617-542-7696 • candice@bostonnatural.org