Fenway Civic Association

Fenway Civic Association will be hosting two important park events on Saturday, April 30, complementing the Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s Ribbon Cutting and Open House Weekend.

A perennial favorite is FCA’s guided bird walk led by noted professor Dr. Gwilym Jones beginning at 7:00 AM.  Then, an exciting “Arbor Day of Service” in the Back Bay Fens will follow. Led by professionals from Maltby and Co. tree service and the Boston Parks Department, a cadre of tree experts will spend the day donating their professional services for our historic trees in the Fens, pruning, fertilizing, and planting new trees. See below for details, and join in!

Birds of the Back Bay Fens:

Date:  Saturday morning, April 30th

Time:  7:00 a.m.

Location:  Back Bay Fens park in Boston’s West Fenway neighborhood. Meet at the Japanese Bell outside the Kelleher Rose Garden (by the footbridge across from the Museum of Fine Arts).

Guided birdwalk by Dr. Gwilym Jones, Professor of Biology, Northeastern University

Thrill to the sight and sound of the array of birds that inhabit the Back Bay Fens each spring. All levels welcome. Bring binoculars.

ONE LUCKY ATTENDEE will go home with a FREE BIRDING FIELD GUIDE!

Arbor Day of Service:

Date:  Saturday morning, April 30th

Time:  8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Location:  Fenway Victory Gardens

Come help Maltby and Co., Natural Tree and Lawn, the City of Boston Parks Department, and many other arbor companies as they donate a day of service to the Back Bay Fens. Join volunteers as we plant trees and help these generous arborists care for the oldest park in the Emerald Necklace. To learn more, read the attached press release. Volunteers are welcome! To join as a volunteer and for more information, contact Marie Fukuda at fresherfish@aol.com.  Come help the Fenway’s urban canopy grow!

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The FCA Board supports the passage of H. 1169, An Act Protecting Sunlight in Certain Public Parks, sponsored by Reps. Martha Walz and Byron Rushing. To read the bill, go to http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H01169.

This bill seeks to expand and clarify the current laws that protect the sunlight on the beloved Boston Public Garden and the Boston Common by limiting new shadows.

Specifically, the bill would prohibit any new construction or building remodeling from blocking sunlight and casting new shadows on six additional public parks.

The goal of the bill is to allow reasonably-scaled development near the parks while protecting sufficient sunlight for the health of the park environment and the enjoyment of its users.

The five Boston parks and one Cambridge park protected by the bill are:

• The Back Bay Fens
• Christopher Columbus Park
• The Commonwealth Avenue Mall
• Copley Square Park
• The Esplanade
• Magazine Beach Park

The goal is to collect 2,000+ signatures by May 30th. Three ways to help accomplish this are:

1. Sign the petition immediately on https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sunlight2. The survey will be available until May 23.
2. Download the attached petition and circulate as many copies as you can in your area, especially at any large events. Contact FCA with completed forms and we will arrange for submission.
3. Invite other organizations and interested parties in your area to participate and pass on a petition for them on to circulate.

Our neighboring civic association, Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (NABB) will collect the electronic signatures and coordinate with FCA to collect the completed paper petitions. Together we can ensure that sunlight continues to shine on our neighborhood parks. If you have any questions, please e-mail FCA (fenwaycivic@aol.com) or Sue Prindle of NABB (sprindl@verizon.net), who is helping to coordinate the effort.

Thank you for helping to protect our valuable natural resources!

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The Fenway Civic Association supports the efforts of the Friends of Jamaica Pond and others to share visions, reflections, ideas and concerns about the sale and development of Hellenic Hill that could threaten Jamaica Pond.  The Public Forum will happen on Wednesday, April 27th at 7 PM at the First Church in Jamaica Plain. 6 Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.

For more information, see below, visit the Friends of Jamaica Pond website, or sign the online petition.

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The Fenway Young Professionals, a group affiliated with the Fenway Civic Association, was recently featured on Boston.com in the Fenway/Kenmore section.   The article describes the origins of the group, its mission, and its vision for the future.

“This group is a good introduction to becoming more involved in an urban neighborhood,” said Matthew Brooks, a member of the Young Professionals steering committee and a board member of the Fenway Civic Association. “It gives people an opportunity to be introduced to issues and how to help improve your community. Since it’s aimed at young professionals, it’s a more relaxed group, a more relaxed introduction.”

Fenway Young Professionals has helped to boost the membership of the civic association, which focuses on promoting and sustaining a vibrant Fenway neighborhood. At any given association event, about 20 members of the group are in attendance. Over the course of the next year, the group is hoping to further expand.

Check out the full article here — and read more on the Fenway YP page!   To join, email fenwayyp@gmail.com.

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