From the Community

Dukakis Sends Gov. Baker Letter Urging Leadership for Franklin Park

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Former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis recently delivered a letter to Governor Charlie Baker calling for leadership and a coordinated vision as it relates to the redevelopment of the Shattuck Hospital site in Franklin Park. In the letter, he outlined how the Commonwealth’s decision to redevelop the site contradicts the Baker administration’s stated priorities “for open space, climate resilience, and natural resource conservation.”
Governor Dukakis states that, “rather than engaging community members and thinking holistically for the neighborhood and Greater Boston’s needs, the Commonwealth has decided to move forward with a plan to demolish the outdated building, which sits on parkland, and lease the land to a private developer.”
Shattuck Hospital, now slated for demolition, currently occupies 13 acres of parkland, a site that was taken from the community in 1949 and, over the years, has joined other sites that reduced Franklin Park’s free and public green space by roughly 200 acres. Now, the Commonwealth proposes a new plan: a 99-year lease for a private developer to build housing for the formerly homeless. Housing for the formerly homeless is extremely important; however, the Commonwealth did not evaluate alternative sites, conduct a feasibility study, involve the many of the communities around the park, nor provide any state funding for the new facilities. This new plan requires numerous legal waivers, and the housing, if all goes according to plan, may take five years to build and does not include supportive services in the latest proposal.

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From the Community

Starting Monday: Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s Winter Clothing Drive

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The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is launching its first Winter Clothing Drive this coming Monday, November 8, to help our neighbors stay warm as the weather cools so that everyone can continue to enjoy the outdoors and our parks. We welcome new or gently used winter gear such as coats, jackets, boots, sweaters, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, blankets, snow pants and warm socks. The items will be donated to Action for Boston Community Development and will continue until Friday, December 17. Where to donate:

Shattuck Visitor Center
125 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
Monday – Friday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

James Michael Curley House
350 Jamaicaway, Boston, MA 02130
Monday – Friday 10:00 AM – 4:00PM

Full details on Emerald Necklace Conservancy's Winter Clothing Drive are available online: emeraldnecklace.org/events/winter-clothing-drive. Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) is a nonprofit human services organization that each year provides more than 100,000 low-income residents in the Greater Boston region with the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success.

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Opinion

Letter: Redevelopment of the Shattuck Campus Urgently Needed

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We are a group of concerned Boston residents and housing, homeless, public health, climate justice, faith-based leaders and activists writing to urge you to support the Commonwealth’s Preliminary Project Proposal for the redevelopment of the Shattuck Campus as presented in April 2021. When the state conducted a comprehensive planning process in 2019, stakeholders from the surrounding neighborhoods, community groups, greenspace advocates, housing, and health care groups came to consensus on a Vision Plan. The Vision Plan includes behavioral health services, the shelter, and 75-100 units of supportive housing. The Plan also includes integrating the campus with Franklin Park and including components that will be accessible to the community, such as a public restroom, community garden or a child care center. In the six months since the Shattuck Campus Redevelopment was approved by the state, the city’s desperate need for supportive housing has only become more dire.

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From the Community

Outdoor Class: Introduction to Animal Tracking in Franklin Park on Oct. 23

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Wonder what marks and signs are left behind by wild animals in the Emerald Necklace? What animals live in the parks we share with? Now you'll learn how to track them! On Saturday, October 23 from 10 am to noon, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy presents an "Introduction to Animal Tracking" class. In this fun guided walk through Franklin Park, we will look at animal tracks, scat and other signs they leave behind, and learn how to identify which animal left them.

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From the Community

Emerald Necklace Conservancy Planted Trees in Franklin Park in Honor of Arbor Day

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In honor of Arbor Day the Emerald Necklace Conservancy planted 10 trees in Franklin Park. Arbor Day is the last Friday of April, and the Conservancy got ahead and planted the trees one day earlier. Joining Erica Holm, Field Operations Coordinator at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, was Boston's Tree Warden Max Ford-Diamond, Andy Balon from Bartlett Tree Experts, and Mango, their furry helper! A total of 10 trees in the under-treed area between White Stadium and the Overlook Ruins in Franklin Park were planted: a Princeton elm, two black tupelo, two red maple, two eastern hophornbeam, two swamp white oak, and a tuliptree. Please visit emeraldnecklace.org/ylp-plants-trees for more information.

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Emerald Necklace Conservancy

Forest Bathing Walk

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Experience the healing benefits of The Emerald Necklace on a “Forest Bathing Walk” through Franklin Park. Immerse yourself in the “Wilderness” of Franklin Park with Tam Willey, a forest therapy guide. Listen to the migrating birds and explore the textures of the puddingstone in this urban woodland as we slow down and awaken our senses. Forest Bathing, inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, is a restorative sensory exploration that supports health and healing for all beings. From increased cerebral blood flow to stronger immune defences, come discover for yourself what happens when we unplug, slow down and open our senses to notice more of our natural surroundings.

Opinion

Governors, Emerald Necklace Conservancy & More Support Using Arborway Bus Yard Instead of Redeveloping Shattuck Campus for Supportive Housing

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The state has proposed redeveloping the 13 acres of the Shattuck Hospital campus site into an integrated health care, behavioral health and supportive housing. A virtual meeting was held on Tuesday night in which numerous people testified, including former Governor William Weld and former Governor Michael Dukakis. Both preferred the MBTA Arborway Yard Bus Facility site on Washington Street for the services instead of redeveloping the Shattuck Hospital campus. Click here to review the proposed Shattuck Hospital campus redevelopment. The following statement is from Karen Mauney-Brodek is the President of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy
The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) hosted a virtual public hearing yesterday evening to present the draft request for proposals for the aging Shattuck Hospital site at Franklin Park. Approximately half of the members of public who spoke at the hearing felt that the proposed alternative 18-acre MBTA Arborway Yard Bus Facility site nearby would be the best location for the supportive housing and services needed, whereas many others agreed it would be great, but they didn’t think the Commonwealth was capable of working in the community’s best interest.

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From the Community

Check Out a Virtual Tour of the Curley House on March 23

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The Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s recently expanded offices at the former home of Boston Mayor James Michael Curley, one of Boston’s most notable (and notorious) mayors. And they're giving you the opportunity to check out it out -- virtually. Although the Conservancy’s staff have been working remotely for the past year, they can’t keep this historically rich landmark overlooking Jamaica Pond to themselves any longer. The Curley house, located at 350 Jamaicaway, is situated just across the street from Jamaica Pond, the largest standing body of water in the Emerald Necklace park system. The 21-room, neo-Georgian mansion is registered as a historical landmark in Boston, however, the conservancy has not made any notable changes.

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From the Community

Emerald Necklace Conservancy Calling for Art Submissions from Young Artists

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The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is calling all young artists to submit their best drawing, painting, collage or two-dimensional work of art for a chance to win a coloring book and be featured on the Conservancy notecards. The Emerald Necklace Children’s Drawing Contest is going through January 4, 2021. We are excited to announce our first-ever Children’s Drawing Contest. Park visitors ages 2 to 12 are invited to enter their best Emerald Necklace-inspired drawing, painting, collage or any two-dimensional work of art for a chance to win a printed copy of the new Emerald Necklace coloring book and have their art featured on exclusive Conservancy notecards

Click here to learn more.

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Environment

Emerald Necklace Conservancy Honoring Mayor Walsh with 2020 Olmsted Award of Excellence

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The Emerald Necklace Conservancy will host its biennial fundraiser virtually and honor Mayor Marty Walsh with its 2020 Olmsted Award of Excellence. The award will be honoring the Walsh administration’s significant capital investments in the Emerald Necklace, representing historic funding for parks according to a press release. The fundraiser is being hosted tonight (October 14). “Mayor Walsh’s tenure has seen unprecedented capital commitments to Boston’s parks – $114 million has been spent by the Boston Parks Department on 170 construction projects and $60 million allocated to the 1,100 acre Emerald Necklace, the largest-ever capital funding for Boston Parks. These projects include Improvements to Jamaica Pond Pathways and Perimeter, Liff Park restoration, Olmsted Park enhancements, projects funded by the Community Preservation Act and many more.

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