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:
- Sign the petition immediately on https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sunlight2. The survey will be available until May 23.
- 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.
- 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!
