Sports

Half Half Half Half Half Marathon at Jamaica Pond on April 11 to Support Free Youth Literacy Programs

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One of the shortest marathons will be ran at Jamaica Pond on April 11 -- and it'll be for a very good cause -- supporting free youth literacy programs.

Nonprofit 826 Boston's Half Half Half Half Half Marathon is an (almost) .826-mile marathon to raise money for its free writing, after-school tutoring, and publishing programs offered to Boston K-12 students. Last year, 826 Boston worked with nearly 3,000 students, provided a total of 20,622 program hours, and published 19 books that featured 505 student authors. "As someone who visits the pond regularly, I find it’s a real treat to be able to participate in the 826 Boston Halfx5 Marathon together with neighbors and friends, all while supporting a uniquely important organization," said Jamaica Plain resident Jill Berg, an 826 Boston board member. "I love participating alongside student authors, learning about their writing projects, and having a chance to purchase their publications in the spot." The marathon is family-friendly so kids of all ages are welcome to run/walk/jog/piggyback to the finish line.

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Sports

Johnson Baseball Field Closing April 15 Thru June 30 for Renovations

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The Johnson Baseball Field on Lamartine Street by Green Street will be closed for renovation work on the field starting April 15 and going through June. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close the baseball field and the adjacent walking path connecting Lamartine Street and Oakdale Street at Johnson Park to perform renovation to the field, infield, and site. The playground, spray deck, basketball courts, seating areas, and associated walking paths nearest Green Street in Johnson Park will remain open for use.  

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Jamaica Plain People

Jamaica Plain’s Sadecki Running Boston Marathon to Support Braille Literacy

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Jamaica Plain's Mark Sadecki's support of Braille initiatives has grown through the years -- from running in the Blindfold Challenge, to serving as a sighted running guide for his brother, and this year he's running the Boston Marathon in support of the National Braille Press. Sadecki is a web accessibility engineer and has worked with people with disabilities the majority of his life. "One thing that became clear to me is the direct relationship between braille literacy, independence, confidence, and career success. Fact: 90% of employed blind people are braille readers," said Sadecki. His first competitive running experience was with National Braille Press in 2010, running in the Blindfold Challenge 5K, which supports vision related charities.

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City Services

Presentation and Q&A: Learn About White Stadium Rehabilitation on Jan. 11

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The proposal to rehabilitate Franklin Park's White Stadium to turn into the home field of a new women's soccer league team, better serve Boston Public Schools and community events, will be discussed in a virtual public meeting on Jan. 11. The city. Boston Public Schools, and Boston Unity Soccer Partners are partnering together to make renovations that would include adding spectator viewing areas, a concourse, bathrooms,  space for retail, space for food/beverage area, entertainment amenities, locker rooms, press/media space, and more. The unnamed as of yet National Women's Soccer League team is planning to start playing at the site in 2026.

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Sports

Brookline-Jamaica Plain Cheerleading Team Needs Help Getting to Nationals

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The Brookline-Jamaica Plain Patriots cheerleading team qualified for the Cheer & Dance Nationals in Florida in December -- and they need help to get there. There are eight girls on the team, many of who have been with the program since they were 5-years-old, said the cheerleading team's coach Gail Flattes. Along with the eight cheerleaders, there are also four coaches and four support staff who are headed to Nationals in Orlando, Florida from Dec. 4-8. To help out the team please click here for its GoFundMe page.

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Sports

National Women’s Soccer League Announces Boston Franchise to Play at White Stadium

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Boston has been awarded a new National Women's Soccer League expansion franchise that will play at Franklin Park's White Stadium starting in 2026. The ownership team, Boston Unity Soccer Partners, plans to unveil the club’s team name as it moves closer to play in 2026. Ownership plans to invest significant resources to transform White Stadium into a top-tier facility, and is working with the city's leadership to do so, according to a press release. The transformation of White Stadium fits well with the city's goals for the stadium and Franklin Park. In July, city officials held a public meeting to discuss revitalizing the stadium to make it the "centerpiece of Boston Public Schools athletics."

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City Services

City & Boston Schools Discussing ‘A Reimagined White Stadium’ in July 13 Virtual Meeting

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City officials are hosting a meeting to discuss revitalizing Franklin Park's White Stadium to be the "centerpiece of Boston Public Schools athletics" on July 13. White Stadium was constructed in 1945 in the Playstead area of Franklin Park, and since then it has held many sporting events -- football games, track meets, and a lot more. Sadly, the stadium is in disrepair, isn't up to code and doesn't meet accessibility requirements, said the city. But the city is planning a signifiant investment in the stadium and athletics facilities. After a recent assessment, desired improvements will include an expanded staff office, a modern press box, improved locker rooms, and an 8-lane track, according to the city's website.

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Neighborhood Life

Photos: Half Half Half Half Half Marathon at Jamaica Pond

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There was more than one very important marathon this month. More than 70 serious and casual runners gathered at the Jamaica Pond Boathouse for this year’s Half Half Half Half Half Marathon, hosted by 826 Boston at Jamaica Pond on April 13. All photos by Deborah Karson Photography

The event raised more than $18,000 for 826 Boston’s writing and tutoring programs, offered free to thousands of Boston students and their families every year. “We’re so grateful to everyone—friends, babies, college students, grandparents, dogs—who joined us for Boston’s greatest shortest race,” said Loni Zelfon, 826 Boston’s Development and Events Manager. “We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to walk, wheel, and run around Jamaica Pond to support 826 Boston’s incredible student authors."

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Government

ICYMI: Curtis Hall Gym Spiffed Up Thanks to Celtics

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Curtis Hall Community Center's gym is looking better than ever thanks to the Boston Celtics, who led a project to refurbish the gym. The gym was closed from late January to the first week of March. The refurbished gym was also done with the support of TD Bank. The work to the gym included

Gym floor work/refurbishing (repairs, sanding, coating, lines/logos/designs, finish sealing)

Wall painting and repairs on both lower and upper walls

Wall graphics on select areas

Repairs to all four backboards and hoops

The Celtics have partnered with Boston Center for Youth & Families to renovate more than 10 spaces in BCYF centers including gyms, computer labs, and multi-purpose rooms.

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