NEWS FROM THE NETWORK

Power of the Network. We have updates on a number of key links in the Emerald Network this month, as well as upcoming opportunities to experience and explore local greenways in person.

As the Emerald Network continues to open connections to transit, jobs, and open space, it has the power to transform how we get around our city and the region.

Upcoming Opportunities to Experience the Network

Deer Island, Winthrop, MA

• Explore points south of the Neponset trail on the 8th Annual Mattapan-on-Wheels Bike-a-thon on July 21st. Three routes accommodate riders of all ages and abilities.
• The MAPC Summer Greenway Ride and Walk Series lands in JP-Roslindale on July 24 with the Jamaica Pond, Casey Arborway, Roslindale Gateway Path Ride starting at 5:30pm.
• The Greenway Ride and Walk Series continues on Aug 23 in Brookline. Join the Beacon Street Bridle Path Tour starting at 5:00pm.
• Tour de Streets is less than eight weeks away! Join the Emerald Network Team today! The event will take place Saturday, September 8 at North Point Park.

Freshly Paved Paths Open Along Circuit Drive in Franklin Park

Franklin Park Pathway Improvements

We're excited to see freshly paved paths along Circuit Drive through the southern part of Franklin Park. This is part of Phase V of the Franklin Park Pathways Improvements. Some parts of Phase V will still be under construction through the end of 2018, and we look forward to seeing continued progress on the plans for improved accessibility into and around Franklin Park. In the meantime, get out and take a stroll or a ride on this fresh new path!

FY19 Capital Budget Includes Four Emerald Network Projects

Summer Street rendering

The upcoming FY19 Capital Budget for Boston transportation includes four projects that are key links within the Emerald Network. The first and largest of the capital projects is the reconstruction of Summer Street through Fort Point. Construction is already underway to narrow travel lanes, include protected bike lanes, and significantly increase the tree canopy.

Projects receiving funds to continue the design process include:

• Summer St $2.5 million
• Melnea Cass $350k
• Columbia Road $100k
• Cummins Highway $100k

South Bay Harbor Trail Construction Contract Awarded

Underground Ink Block

The construction of the South Bay Harbor Trail, a project that has been in the works for nearly 20 years, was awarded to a contractor in May. This summer, MassDOT and Newport Construction will be hosting a pre-construction meeting to reveal the final designs. They plan to break ground on the trail before the end of the year.

The South Bay Harbor Trail will provide a safe, off-road, east-west link between neighborhoods in South Boston, the South End, Roxbury, and beyond. It will also connect people to the exciting activation taking place at the Underground Ink Block space, recently designed and constructed for public art, fitness classes, beer garden, and more.

Celebrate the Emerald Necklace Conservancy's 20th Anniversary

Fog x FLO. (Photo: Emerald Necklace Conservancy)

The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is throwing a party, and you're invited! From tours to art, a new wayfinding app, and more, the Conservancy welcomes residents and visitors to discover and delight in the Emerald Necklace during this special 12 weeks of programming from August 11 to October 31.

The pinnacle of the celebration will be the installation of five fog sculptures, Fog x FLO, by renowned Japanese artist Fujiko Nakaya. LivableStreets will be helping to host a series of tours in and around the Emerald Necklace showcasing the sculptures as well as discussing future connectivity and accessibility projects as part of the Emerald Network. Don't miss the amazing fog sculptures -- we'll be sharing dates for guided tours soon!

Emerald Network Summer Intern

Photo: Maria de la Luz Lobos Martinez

Join us in welcoming Maria de la Luz Lobos Martinez to the LivableStreets team this summer! Maria is a landscape architecture student at Harvard Graduate School of Design. This summer, she’ll be focusing on the design for a proposed greenway between the Fairmount Commuter Rail Station and the shops at Riverwood in Hyde Park -- an important link in the Emerald Network, and part of our Greenway Partners program. Say hello and welcome to Maria at [email protected].

Blue Bikes at Tour de Streets

Tour de Streets. (Photo: TDM Photography)

Tour de Streets is your chance to experience our changing streets and be energized by the growing, passionate community around them! From walking to biking, BBQ and music, there's something for everyone at this family-friendly event-- register for Tour de Streets today!

No bike? No problem! This year, Blue Bikes will be providing a valet service at the station next to North Point Park to help people rent bikes during the event. Blue Bike membership is not required to rent. We also have a limited number of free passes for Tour de Streets participants.

Contact [email protected] if you or someone you know would benefit from this opportunity!

GREENWAY STORIES

Featured Greenway: Charlestown Lower Mystic Greenway

Charlestown Lower Mystic Open House, June 2018

We recently co-hosted an open house with the Mystic River Watershed Association and Stoss Landscape Urbanism. Our goal was to solicit feedback on the proposed Charlestown Lower Mystic Greenway which would connect existing sections of the Boston Harborwalk and provide increased open space and waterfront access.

Whether you attended the open house event or not, now is a great time to provide your feedback! Share your thoughts by completing this short survey, prepared by our friends at the Mystic River Watershed Association.

Continue reading to learn more about this exciting project.

The Other Emerald Necklace: Exploring Cleveland by Bike

Guest post by Jim O'Connell

Bostonians might be surprised to learn that we are not the only ones with an “Emerald Necklace”. The City of Cleveland, Ohio boasts a ring of parks with the same name. Intrigued, my wife Ann Marie and I set out to discover how Cleveland’s Emerald Necklace matched up with the original. Exploring Cleveland by bike seemed like the best way to go about it.

The Cleveland Metroparks were established in 1917 as an extension of a smaller number of central city parks. The Metroparks encircle the outskirts of the city in a circumference eight to twelve miles from downtown. By size, the Metroparks are more comparable to Charles Eliot’s Metropolitan Park System, which circles around Greater Boston, than they are to Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace.

Continue reading to learn more about Cleveland's Emerald Necklace.

GET INVOLVED

• The Roslindale Gateway Path is at 25% design! Come out and learn more about the project on July 25 at the Roslindale Community Center. RSVP here.
• Live, work, or play in Hyde Park? Join the 2nd Community Charrette for Doyle Park on July 26 at 6:30pm. The meeting will take place at the community center behind Perfect Dental (912 River Street, Hyde Park).

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 partners 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!