History

Don’t Try to Harvest Ice from Jamaica Pond, Instead Learn About History of Harvesting Pond Ice

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Before modern refrigerators produced ice, people had to gather ice where it naturally formed -- like from Jamaica Pond. Jamaica Plain Historical Society (JPHS) member Charlie Rosenberg provided a presentation in 2023 about this fascinating industry and the over-sized role it played in Jamaica Plain’s economy. By 1880, the Jamaica Pond Ice Company had 22 icehouses on Jamaica Pond with a storage capacity of 30,000 tons, according to JPHS. It's important to keep in mind that ice was a commodity available only to the very rich and to those who could harvest it themselves. That changed as the ice harvesting industry became increasingly mechanized, and the new technologies allowed more people to enjoy the benefits of ice year-round.

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Arts

11th JP Music Festival on September 9

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This year's JP Music Festival being held on Saturday will feature seven hours of continuous music on two stages from 21 local artists and bands. Held at Pinebank Field by Jamaica Pond, the festival is always free to everyone, and there will be something for everyone -- food trucks, activities for kids, bike racks, and dogs (whether they like music or not) are welcome. This year performers include: Aaron and the Lord • The Alchemists • Merrie Amsterburg • Bob Bradshaw Band • Terry Borderline • The Buttercups • Crooked Mowth • DS Scrolls • Epileptic Disco • Evan Greer • Jesse and the Hogg Brothers • Lemonshiners • Ray Liriano •  Matt York and the Hassle-Free Roses • Mamadou • Muzzins • The Roland High life • Sado-Domestics • Sand Machine • The Smack Dabs • Swampanova

The festival starts at noon. Whether you're familiar with the musical acts or not, here's a playlist for you soundcloud.com/jpmusicfestival/sets/jp-music-festival-2023. You can also download a program at jpmusicfestival.com (and there will also be printed copies at the festival). 

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Neighborhood Life

Want to Do Yoga on Jamaica Pond?

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Iceskating on Jamaica Pond is not allowed, but doing yoga on the pond is a-okay. Yoga classes on the water using a paddle board are being offered on Sundays by local nonprofit Courageous Sailing. No experience is necessary (of water yoga, or yoga in general). The class starts low on the board (like belly on a paddle board), and they build from there, and do poses while standing up on the board. All equipment is provided.

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Neighborhood Life

‘Pictures of the Year’ Returns to Jamaica Pond

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If you're starting to spend more time outside, make sure you walk over to the Jamaica Pond. The Boston Press Photographers Association will showcase its annual outdoor exhibit at Jamaica Pond from May 31 to June 13. The public exhibit showcases 350 images from the BPPA's annual "Pictures of the Year" competition to recognize New England's best photojournalism. Local news organizations and independent photographers submit hundreds of photographs to the competition, and a team of independent judges selects winners across dozens of categories, including breaking news, feature stories, politics, portraiture, and more. See all of the 2022 award-winning images here.

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Animals

There’s A Lot More Fish in Jamaica Pond After Last Week

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One of the great benefits of being governor of Massachusetts means you have the option of participating in the annual stocking of Jamaica Pond -- and Governor Maura Healey didn't miss her first opportunity to do so. Healey was joined Boston Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ryan Woods, Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, students from John F. Kennedy Elementary and Curley K-8 schools, and MassWildlife staff on April 27. According to Boston Parks and Recreation, more than 1,000 trout were released into Jamaica Pond -- approximately 800 rainbow trout averaging 14 inches long, 25 brook trout and 65 brown trout averaging 18 inches long, and 170 tiger trout, a cross between a female brown trout and a male brook trout, averaging 14 inches long. The fish for the stocking event were raised at state hatcheries.

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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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Animals

Olmsted Park Spring Bird Walk This Sunday

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Do you see pretty birds and want to know their name? Or maybe you've already got a pair of binoculars and a keen eye for springtime warblers. This weekend's spring bird walk is for both beginner and more seasoned ornithological enthusiasts. The 90-minute free walk will be led by local birding expert Bob Mayor, and focus on migrating warblers and other spring species at Leverett, Willoe and Ward's ponds, as well as the woods of the Emerald Necklace Olmsted Park. Meet at the Olmsted Park Daisy Field parking lot on Willow Pond Road between Pond Avenue and the Jamaicaway.

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Arts

ICYMI: Moss Installation Made By Mayor’s Mural Crew Celebrated Olmsted’s 200th Birthday

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Frederick Law Olmsted's 200th birthday was April 26 and the Mayor's Mural Crew celebrated it in a very unique way -- with a moss graffiti installation on the Jamaica Pond Boathouse. The installation was part of the celebration of his birthday on April 26. The moss graffiti installation is an Olmsted quote: "Gradually and silently the charm comes over us; we know not exactly where or how." https://twitter.com/mayorsmuralcrew/status/1519329220392071170

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From the Community

Celebrate Frederick Law Olmsted’s 200th Birthday at Jamaica Pond on April 26

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America’s great place-maker Frederick Law Olmsted—who created the field of landscape architecture and the Emerald Necklace park system turns 200 in 2022-- and we're celebrating it at Jamaica Pond on April 26. The event will kickoff Olmsted’s bicentennial and honor his legacy values of shared use, shared health and shared power in parks and public space. This event is being presented by Olmsted Now, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site (Fairsted) and Friends of Fairsted partner with Olmsted 2022 and Friends of Jamaica Pond. There will be treats, toasts and local legend Gerry Wright, founder of Olmsted 2022, portraying the man himself. Olmsted 2022 will recognize and spotlight awardees for their leadership in parks access and advocacy.

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From the Community

Run For All Returns to Jamaica Pond to Support Community Servings on Sept. 12

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Run For All, the popular free community celebration, will return to Jamaica Pond and support local nonprofit Community Servings. The Run will be on Sept. 12 at 10 am. Community Servings' CEO David Waters will provide remarks and talk about the organization's mission to provide nourishment, connection and well being to chronically and clinically ill neighbors. The communal nature of the event will culminate in a unified and noncompetitive run/walk around Jamaica Pond.

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