Emerald Network — a vision for 250 miles of seamless shared-use greenway paths connecting Boston and adjacent cities.

May 2023 Vol. 6 Issue 2

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NEWS FROM THE NETWORK

What Has the Emerald Network Been Up To?

Photo credit: Neponset River Watershed Association

DOT Greenway

The DOT Greenway is a proposed .75-mile long park in Dorchester. The DOT Greenway would be a new community park built on top of a red line MBTA tunnel. The Dorchester community has been at the forefront of this project for over 7 years. The City of Boston applied for a grant to fund the first step to making the DOT Greenway. We hope to hear back about the grant by late summer. While we wait for news on the grant, we continue to connect with community members and collect feedback. For more information on the project visit our DOT Greenway webpage.

Charles River Area Project 

There are several large transportation planning projects taking place along the Charles River. These projects focus on updating nearby parks, roads, bridges, and public transit routes. We're working with urban planners, government agencies, advocacy groups, and community members to unite projects. In summer 2023, the Emerald Network will talk to community groups who are impacted by these projects to learn more about their needs. This will help identify “asks” for planning teams and what information projects are missing.

Columbia Road 

Columbia Road is a 2.2 mile stretch of road that runs between Franklin Park and Moakley Park. Residents have called for street safety improvements for many years. In 2023, after 4+ years of advocacy, the City of Boston hired a full time corridor planner for Columbia Road! LivableStreets is excited to work with the city to support the community's goals for Columbia Road.

South West Corridor

The Department of Conservation and Recreation selected LivableStreets to serve as the Community Engagement Team for an update to the South West Corridor Master Plan. LivableStreets will be working with Toole Design and Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture on the project. Be on the lookout for us on the Corridor this summer.

Partners Doing Amazing Work

Photo credit: Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

A New Park Along the Neponset River Greenway 

Doyle Park is a park in Hyde Park that had been sitting unused for many decades. Since 2020, the Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation, East River Street Neighborhood Association, Solomon Foundation, and Neponset River Watershed Association have listened to community members who want to see the space turned into a park. These organizations have asked the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to build a park and add a river path. The park is planned to be completed this summer! It will have native trees, playground spaces, benches, and a river outlook over the Neponset.

Come celebrate Doyle Park’s improvements and learn more about the Superfund clean up. Join your neighbors for Doyle Park Day on Sunday, May 6th from 11am - 2pm. This free event will have music, food, and kids’ activities. 

Overnight Camping on Peddock’s Island is Open!

Boston Harbor Islands is opening Peddock’s Island for overnight reservations. Campers can reserve a tent or a yurt with bunk beds and electricity. Visit ReserveAmerica to book your tent site or click here for more information.

Lend Your Voice to the City of Boston’s Open Space Plan

An open space plan is a guidebook for parks, green spaces, and outdoor gathering spaces. It is a map for how and when to change and fund these spaces. The new draft needs your input! View the document and add what you think by May 21st. What changes to parks do you want to see in your neighborhood?

We recommend starting at Section 6 “Community Vision,” on page 135.

Events + Art

Photo credit: Julia Swanson

Greenways + Art = Our Favorite Things!

Local artist, Julia Swanson, has created a series of walks that explores neighborhood art. The Art Walk Project highlights murals, sculptures, installation and other forms of art. Download a PDF map to guide you. Neighborhoods include Chinatown, Central Square, the Seaport and many more. Explore here!

Photo credit: Town of Winthrop, Bike Winthrop, Friends of the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway

• Tues, May 16 – Mary Ellen Welch - Winthrop Greenway Community Meeting
• Sat, May 20 – Neponset River Watershed Association Paddle Event
• Sun, May 21 –  27th Annual Mystic River Herring Run + Paddle
  (5k run, 3,6, and 9 mile paddle races)

Opportunities

Check out all of these amazing organization who are hiring and apply now to be a part of their team!

• BikesNotBombs — Multiple positions available!
• CultureHouse — Operations Position due May 15th
• Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition — Program Manager of Youth Development & Transportation Advocacy 

As a policy, LivableStreets will only advertise opportunities that include salary or compensation information.

THANK YOU