The following is an open letter to elected and appointed officials and park friends with numerous originators who wrote the letter, followed by organizations that signed onto support the letter. Representatives for the Arborway Coalition, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Southwest Corridor Park Management Advisory Committee, and more signed the letter. Massachusetts state parks are in crisis. More than a decade of funding and staffing cuts have eviscerated the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) ability to meet its mission “to protect, promote and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources for the well-being of all,” while digging a $1.0 billion deferred
maintenance hole. The December 2021 Legislative Special Commission report on DCR (p.51) found that Massachusetts, one of the wealthiest states in the nation, nevertheless ranks last in per capita spending on state and municipal parks.
"Olmsted"/Gerry Wright will be conducting "Stars & Stripes Forever" this Sun., 7/29 at 6 PM, when the Metropolitan Wind Symphony plays at Pinebank Promontory as part of the Summer on the Emerald Necklace series of events. https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/events/summer-on-the-emerald-necklace/
Thank you to all who helped with the Arborway Hillside Volunteer Woodland Care Day on July 14. We had a great turnout and cleared a large amount of invasive plants from the path and trees (two truckloads!). We met new neighbors and volunteers from JP and beyond, distributed Arborway Coalition reusable bags and enjoyed "BYO Bag" cupcakes! Special thanks to:
Arnold Arboretum & Sue Pfeiffer;
Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Ellen Arnstein & Richard Stroshane;
Our Arborway Hillside steering committee, who handled logistics and outreach: Ann & Jim Stillman, Clay Harper, Sue Pfeiffer
Celeste Walker for help with outreach
Everyone who helped: many hands truly made light work. The Arborway Hillside is across the main Arborway from the Arnold Arboretum, between the main parkway and the residential road, with entrances to a footpath across from St.
Volunteers are wanted for this Saturday to cleanup the Arborway Hillside by clearing the path and removing invasive species, and in exchange you'll be given an Arborway Coalition reusable bag. It's a win-win! Volunteers are wanted for this Saturday, July 14 at 9:30 am. Please meet at Upper Arborway and St. Rose Street.
It's a beautiful morning, neighborhood. Here's your Morning Memo for all things JP. Eat Tapas, Buy Books, Snag Records for a Cause: Starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, 10 percent of sales at Tres Gatos goes to JP Centre/South Main Streets. That means whether you get dinner, pick up a new novel or buy some fresh-pressed vinyl, you'll be helping an organization that supports local businesses. Concerned About Biking and Walking Safely on the Arborway?: As we mentioned in Monday's Morning Memo, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Arborway Coalition are hosting a meeting about pedestrian and bicycle safety on the Arborway near the main entrance to the Arboretum.
Recommendations for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety at the Upper Arborway crossing at the main entrance of the Arboretum will be presented. This public meeting is co-hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Arborway Coalition and partners.
