Climate Art on the Greenway! – Friends of the East Boston Greenway

More here. 

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

Latest News Round-up from the Friends of the East Boston Greenway: Next meeting set for 9/25

Friends of East Boston Greenway Meeting
Thursday, September 25, 2014, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
East Boston YMCA, 215 Bremen Street

Announcements & Things Happening In the NeighborhoodWood Island Vista
Photo Slideshow of East Boston Greenway Connector
See beautiful pictures of the new trail and opening celebration from the end of summer. Thanks to Janet Knott, the Chief of Staff to Councilor Sal LaMattina, for her wonderful pictures and slideshow. Share this virtual tour with family and friends to show what the community has accomplished!
Slideshow posted to YouTube here: http://youtu.be/-vm8fxH0SzQ

Zumix Run to the Beat 5K - Race on the Greenway!
Sunday, Septmber 21, 2014 - Race at 9am, Registration starts 8am

Meet at Piers Park, Marginal Street, East Boston
Massport and East Boston Neighborhood Health Center present ZUMIX's RUN 2 the BEAT, Boston’s most scenic, musical, and fun 5K! Starting in Piers Park with incredible skyline views, our flat and fast race course takes you through Eastie’s incredible green spaces with live music along the route to help you push your pace and have fun! We invite you to run in costume, dressed as your favorite musical icon – either as a soloist or in a SUPERGROUP of four or more runners! You’ll be joined by over 400 runners of all ages and fitness levels. Together, we’ll raise over $25,000 to support ZUMIX’s work empowering youth and building community through music and the arts. Check in begins at 8am, race starts at 9am. After the race, join us for a post-run celebration, with performances from ZUMIX youth, food, games, and more! Prizes awarded to the fastest runners and best costumes! This year, we're improving our race timing by using chip timing so that you can be sure your time is 100% accurate! Low registration fee of $35 for solo adults, and $30 for adults in supergroups. Youth (under 18) are only $15! Register here: http://zumixrun2thebeat.eventbrite.com/ For more information visit http://www.zumix.org/community/events/run-2-beat-5k

Watercolor Painting Workshop at Belle Isle Urban Wild
Sunday, September 21, 2014 12:00 - 2:00pm

And also Sunday, September 28, 2014 12:00 - 2:00pm
12:00 - 2:00pm Belle Isle Urban Wild, 1150 Saratoga Street, East Boston (Behind CVS & Excel Academy)
The watercolor painting workshops enable artist of all skill levels to create their own green-space inspired masterpiece. Learn how to capture Boston's landscape with tips and techniques provided by local artists. Materials provided. Presented by Boston Parks and recreation. 617-961.3051 http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks Flyer Attached.

Belle Isle Harvest Festival
Sunday October 5, 2014 1:00 - 3:00pm
Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, 1298 Bennington Street, East Boston
The Friends of Belle Isle Marsh present this annual family friendly event complete with horse-drawn hayrides, live music, arts, animals, pumpkin decorating and information tables representing local environmental advocacy organizations. http://www.friendsofbelleislemarsh.org/

NEW East Boston Open Space Map & Guide Available!  
A brand new edition of the East Boston Open Space Map & Guide, produced by Boston Natural Areas Network is now available! This popular map was last issued several years ago, and since then a number of new parks, gardens and pathways have been added to East Boston's landscape- including the new Greenway Connector. Maps will be available at the Greenway meeting Thursday night, and soon at public locations throughout the neighborhood as well as online download. Maps are available in both English and Spanish. Volunteers are needed to help with map distribution. Please contact candice@bostonnatural.org if you are available to help deliver maps to public places and organizations. Thank you to those who made this second printing possible: The East Boston Foundation, Councilor Sal LaMattina, Representative Carlo Basile, The Boston Foundation - East Boston/Chelsea Environmental Fund and New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.

East Boston Farmers Market
Thursdays 3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. through October 16 (Rain or shine)
Lewis Mall, behind the Maverick T station on Sumner Street
Every Thursday afternoon during the summer and fall, the Farmers Market brings together farmers and neighbors to shop, enjoy performances by local musicians, and find information on healthy eating. The Farmers Market is the place to see friends, meet your neighbors, and celebrate being a member of our diverse and vibrant community. For more information visit http://ebnhc.org/en/food-access/farmers-market.html or contact Sam or Katie at 617-568-4028 at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center.

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.

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

Community Update: Improvements to Bremen Street and Piers Park