BOSTON - Tuesday,
June 22, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today joined Chief of Housing and
Director of Neighborhood Development Sheila Dillon, Chief of Environment,
Energy and Open Space Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Boston Parks and
Recreation Commissioner Ryan Woods, the Boston Planning & Development
Agency, the Friends of West 2nd Street Park, the South Boston
Neighborhood Development Corporation, local residents, and urban
gardeners to celebrate the grand opening of West 2nd Street Park and
Community Garden, located at 175 West 2nd Street in South Boston.
Formerly a vacant
lot, the 16,000 square feet of new park and community garden space
includes both active and passive areas along with design features such as
a patio area, trees, benches, flower containers, and 21 community garden
plots providing shared amenities like compost bins and a tool shed. Three
of the plots are raised beds, reserved for gardeners with accessibility
needs. A total of 31 new trees have been added to Boston’s urban canopy
as a result of the project.
“Creating
community green spaces provides great physical activity, increases access
to affordable healthy fresh produce, and brings the residents of our
neighborhoods closer together,” said Mayor Janey. “I want to thank our
partners here today for helping us create this beautiful new community
space in the heart of South Boston.”
The celebration
marked the completion of the new park and community garden funded by a
community benefits contribution from Breakthrough Properties as part of
Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) project approval for the 105 West 1st Street development, as well as a joint contract
between the Parks and Recreation Department and Department of
Neighborhood Development for the design phase of the project.
The community
engagement process began in 2015, when the Public Works Department
transferred the property to the Department of Neighborhood Development
(DND) to discuss development options for the parcel. South Boston
residents voiced a strong preference for the site to be a public green
space. The South Boston community, the Department of Neighborhood Development,
and the Parks Department partnered to hold community design workshops,
eventually producing a project plan and scope of work for the site. With
neighborhood support, the Parks Commission voted on June 7 to add the
property to its inventory for long-term ownership, with the provision
that the Friends of West 2nd Street Park and the South Boston
Neighborhood Development Corporation would be responsible for site
maintenance.
"It's been a
long journey to get here that required the effort of many people, elected
officials, City of Boston staff, and South Boston residents," said
South Boston Activist Gary Murad. "We are so excited to be reaching
the finish line and adding a piece to what we consider our own little
emerald necklace connecting this new park with Flaherty Park and A Street
Park. Hopefully, we will get additional open space as community benefits
connected with future development projects in the area that add to our
South Boston Necklace."
“All of us at
the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation are thrilled to see
the community's enthusiasm for gardening these new plots in this
beautiful park,” said Donna Brown, Executive Director. “We look forward
to working with new and experienced gardeners to grow food and enjoy this
beautiful park. Our team is grateful to the City of Boston and
Breakthrough Properties for making this incredible green space possible
for our neighbors in South Boston.”
Today's ribbon
cutting at the West 2nd Street Park and Community Garden aligns with
DND's Grassroots Open Space Program, which helps communities start
community gardens, urban farms, food forests, and other open spaces on
public and private land. The project is also part of the Parks
Department’s Open Space and Recreation Plan, focusing on access, equity,
and excellence—so that every neighborhood is home to beautiful spaces
that serve both people and the environment.Additionally, the City’s Food
Access Agenda supports the creation of community gardens to advance
equitable access to nutritious food with respect to affordability,
physical accessibility, and cultural connectedness. |
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