NEWS FROM THE NETWORK

Thank You for a Great Year!

A walk along American Legion Parkway. (Photo: Liana Genito)

2017 was a wonderful year for the Emerald Network, all thanks to our partners and funders. We are happy to report that over 15 miles of proposed greenways were moved to ‘built’ or ‘in-progress’ status this year. Here are just a few of the highlights:

• We successfully wrapped up the first year of our Greenway Partners program and recognized all of our greenway champions at Tour de Streets.

• We partnered with the BSA and BSA Foundation on the ‘Fulfilling the Promise’ series, focusing on Columbia Road as a connector in the community instead of a divider. The series was generously funded by the Chleck Family Foundation.
• Thanks to the generosity of our funders and supporters, we had a very successful year of giving, including annual events Tour de Streets and Giving Tuesday.
• We took the Emerald Network to conferences in Seattle, Washington; Springfield, Missouri; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and connected with many other sister initiatives around the country.

As we look ahead into 2018, we're excited to ramp up efforts around several key priority projects, and continue to advance the work of our Greenway Partners. We look forward to celebrating some big wins together!

Community Path Extension is Coming to East Somerville

Community Path Extension, full vision. (Photo: Friends of the Community Path)

Thanks to MassDOT and the tireless advocacy of our partners ‘Friends of the Community Path’, the Green Line Extension project is officially on its way to implementation, including an extension of the Community Path connecting East Somerville to Lechmere Station in Cambridge. The chosen design-build team - GLX Constructors put forth a competitive bid that includes all six additive options to the proposal well within the budget set by MassDOT. Next up -- making sure the Path links to a rail-with-trail Grand Junction all the way to Allston!

Check out the official press release here.

Governor Baker Sets the Stage for 150 More Miles of Trails Statewide

On December 20th, 2017, the Governor's office released a progress report on their commitment to invest in building new trails and filling critical gaps in existing trail networks. According to the video, MassDOT and the State Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs are currently advancing 150 miles in trail projects throughout the state. Click here to explore maps highlighting these ongoing projects. We are excited to note that several sections of the Emerald Network appear on these maps!

Funding Opportunities

The Shangri-La Rock Garden in Mattapan. (Photo: Shangri-La Community Garden Group)

• Commonwealth Places - An innovative funding program created by MassDevelopment, in partnership with Patronicity, is providing matching funds (up to $50,000) for new and revitalized public spaces. The application is short and open to local governments and nonprofits. Patronicity provides coaching through the process of applications to crowdfunding. Check out the application here, and apply by February 1st for prompt consideration. If you have any questions or would like to talk more about the program, please email Michelle Moon at [email protected].
• Love your Block mini-grants - The City of Boston’s Office of Civic Engagement encourages you to revitalize your neighborhood one block at a time, and for that, the mini-grants are here to help! Apply by January 22nd for the Spring 2018 cycle.

NEW: Emerald Network Resource Library

Check out the new resources page on the Emerald Network website. These maps, guides, and presentations highlight some of the specific work we are doing to advance neighborhood greenways. Learn about our big picture goals and best practices for greenway paths. Feel free to use and share widely!

GREENWAY STORIES

Biking in Chicago, America's Leading Bicycling City

A guest post by Jim O'Connell.

In 2016, Bicycling Magazine named Chicago #1 of America’s Best Bike Cities (Cambridge was #8 and Boston #17). On a recent visit, my wife Ann Marie and I set out to see what set Chicago at the top when it came to bicycling.

Continue reading to learn more about Chicago's past and present urban planning for trails. (Photo: Jim O'Connell)

Watertown-Cambridge Greenway

When completed, the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway will be one of the most central and important links in Metro Boston’s expanding greenway network.

Continue reading to learn more about the development phases and advocacy for this trail built along the former tracks of a B&M Railroad line. (Photo: Jacob Meunier)

GET INVOLVED

• Interested in better greenway connectivity in Allston and Brighton? Attend any (or all) of the scheduled Allston I-90 interchange project meetings in January and advocate for more open space and connectivity through the redesign. More details are available on the LivableStreets calendar.
• Curious about what the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization has been up to? Attend office hours scheduled for the second Monday each month at the State transportation Building or the MPO meeting scheduled for January 18th, 2017.
• Participate in a public workshop for Plan Dudley Square intended to think strategically about the types of uses, public realm, and the scale of development with the community.
• Friends of Mystic to Charles Connector - a new group whose mission is to connect two of the most prominent riversheds in metro-Boston via a proposed rail-trail, is seeking members and supporters. For more information email [email protected].

THANK YOU

		The Emerald Network is a community and a social network and we greatly value our supporters. Find out more about our network of people by visiting the website. Help make the Emerald Network a reality by donating today. You can also sign up to be a volunteer with LivableStreets. Your dollars and your time keep us going!