The state's plan to install 18 small "cottages" on the Shattuck campus to house homeless individuals living in the Mass and Cass area will be discussed at a virtual public meeting held by the Franklin Park Coalition on Dec. 20. Each cottage will have two beds, which would allow for couples to stay together, and plumbing and heating. The site will have 24/7 security in a security cabin. Occupancy of the cottages is scheduled to begin Dec.
This year's Franklin Park Coalition Turkey Trot is going to be different this year because you know... This year's trot will be done at participants' pace, anything from Halloween through November 30. First off, register on the Coalition's website for $10 (but you can donate more) by clicking here (scroll to the bottom of the page). website for $10, then run the Turkey Trot at your own pace and on your own schedule from October 31st through November 30th. All entrants will be eligible for raffle prizes. You can also win additional prizes by sharing your photos of your costume or of an interesting routes (can you form a turkey??) within the park on social media by using #FPTurkeytrot (tag @FranklinParkBos on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook)) or by email (turkeytrot@franklinparkcoalition.org).
The city's continuing its 18-month planning process to create a master plan for Franklin Park, and would like your help during upcoming online public meetings. The city has earmarked $28 million to update Franklin Park, and is creating a master plan. The plan is looking at a long list of elements to Franklin Park, including accessibility, arboriculture, ecology, equity, implementation strategy, inclusion, master plan document, soil science, urban planning, wayfinding, and more. There will be two online workshops on July 14, 12 pm and 6:30 pm. The Franklin Park Coalition also released a mini-poll seeking people's opinions on the poll.
Untangle those kites and pump up your bicycle tires because the Franklin Park Kite & Bike Festival is on May 18. The annual tradition gathers hundreds of people for kite flying, bicycling, picnicking, music, food trucks and more. There will also be bicycle advocates and local nonprofits. "It’s a great community event! It’s a place where many neighbors come together and enjoy being in the park and enjoy spring.
The Landscape Design Council (LDC) of Massachusetts has recognized Jamaica Plain's Christine Poff, the director of Boston's Community Preservation Committee, as a 2018 awardee for excellence in the field of landscape design. Poff is the 2018 recipient of the Landscape Design Council Award for Excellence, given in recognition of outstanding civic accomplishment. “Throughout her career, Christine has worked in many ways to make life better for citizens,” said LDC chairman George Papavasiliou, via press release. “We particularly applaud her efforts on behalf of Boston’s Franklin Park and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, which stand out as supportive of the Landscape Design Council’s mission.”
As political director of the National Association of Social Workers, Poff advocated for economic and social justice bills at the Massachusetts State House, but she is likely better known for her 14 years’ service as executive director of the Franklin Park Coalition, a nonprofit organization that gives a community voice to Boston’s Franklin Park. She worked to bring back such beloved park institutions as the Elma Lewis Playhouse, the FPC Youth Crew, and the annual Kite and Bike Festival.
