On Wednesday, April 24th, we planted a beautiful sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) in the Back Bay Fens, Fenway Victory Gardens central lawn.
Hooray for #1! Long may you thrive!
THANK YOU to those who made it possible:
Thank you, FCA members – your contributions fund this initiative.
And many thanks to the people and organizations who ‘got it done’!
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s Forestry team and Tree Warden Max Ford-Diamond
Jack Schleifer from the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and arborist Norm Helie
The Fenway Victory Gardens
The FCA is coordinating with Boston’s Urban Forestry division to present an in-person talk about street trees and the city’s Urban Forestry plan in May. We’ll also continue working with partners to provide street tree care and work days in Ramler Park. Dates to be announced soon!
This year, the FCA is focused on our “Year of the Tree” initiative. Behind the scenes, we’re working to get grants for street tree plantings and care, and support Boston’s Urban Forest Plan. On the streets, we’ll be organizing care teams, and hope you will join us. With the undeniable effects of climate change upon us, we can expect warmer and wetter weather, more frequent and potentially more dangerous floods. Trees can help absorb water, reduce runoff of potentially harmful chemicals into our waterways, act as air filters, create shade and lower our urban heat island temperatures, and increase the eco-health of multi-species. Watch for future events including talks and street tree care days this year! We’re counting on your help.
Trees can improve our lives by reducing heat island effects-among other benefits. The Fenway is a high priority zone for planting (see map of Boston below), as we have four overlapping prioritization indicators: Environmental Justice; Low existing canopy; High level of Heat Event Hours; Historically Marginalized Area. Read more in the Fenway/Longwood Plan.
The FCA is coordinating with Boston’s Urban Forestry division to present an in-person talk about street trees and the city’s Urban Forestry plan in May – details to come. We’ll also continue working with partners to provide street tree care and work days in Ramler Park – dates to come.
Environmental impacts from Spring cleaning? Make sure to recycle responsibly! Thanks to the City’s Waste Reduction team for their Recyling Presentation for Fenway. Take a moment and review the city’s recycling policies here. Did you realize that black plastic trays (the kind you get your takeout food in) are NOT recyclable? Do you have paint, mattresses or other problematic items to dispose of? Check the site for Zero Waste Day collections.
A WORD OF THANKS!
The FCA applied for and received a $5,000 Grant from the Red Sox Foundation for support of Fenway Cares. We thank the Red Sox Foundation for this significant gift which is funding for approximately one-week’s worth of food distribution to those in need in the East and West Fenway.
JoyWalk: A Fenway Cultural District Art Crawl is a new, FREE art initiative started by the Fenway Alliance in partnership with free admission to eight member institutions. Join the Fenway News’ “Urban Detective,” Ed Ballo on one of two hour-long walks through the Fenway. Learn about the public art, architecture, urban development and ecology of what is arguably Boston’s most culturally rich neighborhood. (visit the website for full details)
THE WEEK AHEAD
DEADLINE: Monday, April 22, Comment Period for 2 Charlesgate West project
The 2 Charlesgate West development proposal is currently under review. Comments are open through April 22. This large project abutting sensitive parkland and low-rise apartments is seeking considerable zoning relief from the City. A public meeting was held April 4th, where many citizens voiced concerns on the current proposal. The meeting was recorded, and is accessible here: Public Meeting Recording
Wednesday, April 24, Fenway Cares Food and Healthcare (see details below)
On Saturday, April 27, join Boston Bikes for a Family Bike Day in Franklin Park!
The event includes on-bike skill-building for children and adults, free bike checks, and a family-friendly bike ride. The event will take place at Franklin Park’s Shattuck Picnic Grove. The rain date is Sunday, April 28, 2024. Free lunch for those who register!
UPCOMING
Birds of the Back Bay Fens, Guided Bird Walk with Nature Man Mike
Sunday, May 12 at 7:30 a.m., Back Bay Fens – Meet at the Japanese Bell outside the Kelleher Rose Garden (by the footbridge across from the Museum of Fine Arts).
Thrill to the sight and sound of the array of birds that inhabit the Back Bay Fens each spring. All levels welcome. Bring binoculars
Date changed from Wednesday, April 24, to new date:
Monday, May 13, 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM, Wentworth Institute of Technology IMP 2024-2034, Public Meeting | Virtual Meeting
The BPDA is hosting a virtual Public Meeting to discuss the recently filed 2024-2034 Wentworth Institute of Technology Institutional Master Plan (“IMP”). The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the IMP, the potential projects listed within the IMP, and discuss potential impacts and mitigation. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public.
How to Participate Please register for the meeting using the following Zoom link: bit.ly/3vomgMU
We are delighted that Northeastern University will continue this event as a longstanding tradition and partnership that provides Fenway residents flowers to beautify window boxes and gardens.
The FCA Flowershare for members in good standing.
Please renew your membership in order to participate. Details were emailed.
ONGOING
Every Other Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.until supplies last, Fenway Cares – Food Distribution Next date: 4/24
Fenway Cares takes place at 2 locations on the same day:
West Fenway – Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston (enter-Jersey)
East Fenway – Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road
Volunteers are welcome to sign up for all dates and both locations! Volunteer
MGH/MBG Community Care Health Clinic – 2-5 p.m. on Fenway Cares dates, East Fenway, in Morville House, 100 Norway Street. Offerings may include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia vaccines.
Thanks for attending the FCA Annual Meeting on Wed Apr 10th!!!
It was great to gather with neighbors and elected officials to review our many successes, and to announce our “Year of the Tree” initiative. Thanks to the City’s Waste Reduction team for a presentation on recycling in Boston, view it here: Recyling Presentation for Fenway.
Nehal Munshi’s bib number is 30645. Follow Nehal on the BAA site or with the BAA app which can be downloaded from this site:Boston Marathon
UPCOMING
2024 FCA/NEU Annual Flower Share, Saturday, May 18th
We are delighted that Northeastern University will continue this event as a longstanding tradition and partnership that provides Fenway residents flowers to beautify window boxes and gardens.
The FCA Flowershare for members in good standing.
Please renew your membership in order to participate. Details were emailed.
Monday, April 22, Comment Period closes for 2 Charlesgate West project
The 2 Charlesgate West development proposal is currently under review. Comments are open through April 22. This large project abutting sensitive parkland and low-rise apartments is seeking considerable zoning relief from the City. A public meeting was held April 4th, where many citizens voiced concerns on the current proposal. The meeting was recorded, and is accessible here: Public Meeting Recording
Wednesday, April 24, 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM, Wentworth Institute of Technology IMP 2024-2034, Public Meeting | Virtual Meeting
The BPDA is hosting a virtual Public Meeting to discuss the recently filed 2024-2034 Wentworth Institute of Technology Institutional Master Plan (“IMP”). The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the IMP, the potential projects listed within the IMP, and discuss potential impacts and mitigation. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public.
How to Participate Please register for the meeting using the following Zoom link: bit.ly/3vomgMU
SAVE THE DATE
Birds of the Back Bay Fens, Guided Bird Walk with Nature Man Mike
Saturday, May 12 at 7:30 a.m., Back Bay Fens – Meet at the Japanese Bell outside the Kelleher Rose Garden (by the footbridge across from the Museum of Fine Arts).
Thrill to the sight and sound of the array of birds that inhabit the Back Bay Fens each spring. All levels welcome. Bring binoculars
ONGOING
Every Other Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.until supplies last, Fenway Cares – Food Distribution Next date: 4/24
Fenway Cares takes place at 2 locations on the same day:
West Fenway – Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston (enter-Jersey)
East Fenway – Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road
Volunteers are welcome to sign up for all dates and both locations! Volunteer
MGH/MBG Community Care Health Clinic – 2-5 p.m. on Fenway Cares dates, East Fenway, in Morville House, 100 Norway Street. Offerings may include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia vaccines.
We are thrilled to continue our longstanding tradition of partnership with Northeastern University to bring flowers to Fenway residents. To help access for East and West Fenway residents, this event will provide pick ups at two locations on May 18, 2024.
Flowers are available to all FCA members – if you have not yet returned your membership dues, we hope you will do so soon.
Please complete the flower sign-up below by May 3rd to ensure your flowers will be ready!
First and foremost, it’s time for our FCA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 10. And no joke, though started on April 1st, street sweeping has resumed– make sure to move your car to avoid ticketing and towing. In sports news: the RED SOX opener is Tuesday, April 9 at 2:10 pm v. the Orioles, and The Boston Marathon is Monday, April 15th. To round out the fun, your Federal and State taxes are due Wednesday, April 17thCurrent Tax Filing Season Overview | Mass.gov.
FENWAY CIVIC ANNUAL MEETING — APRIL 10TH
We look forward to spending an evening with you, please join us!
Fenway Civic Association Annual Meeting
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 6:00 p.m.
at the
School of the Museum of Fine Arts
at Tufts University
230 The Fenway
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Social Time
Meet & Greet with light refreshments
The program begins at 6:30 p.m.
with a recap of FCA civic projects over the past year,
and neighborhood goals for 2024 and beyond.
Dennis Roache will present the evening’s featured discussion on:
“Waste Reduction: Where do You Fit In”
ways we can improve the Fenway’s environmental impact.
STREET SWEEPING HAS RESUMED! Be in the know, don’t get a tow!!!
https://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping/ Please be aware that street sweeping has resumed. You can check your street and cleaning dates to ensure you don’t get ticketed and towed, it can really ruin your day! The city does offer a great automated reminder service, so you get notified the day before your neighborhood or street is swept. Log in and register to get notified.
RED SOX opener – Tuesday, April 9 at 2:10 pm v. the Orioles. Go Sox!
Congrats, Nehal Munshi on reaching your $5,000 fundraising goal for your Boston Marathon Run to support FENWAY CARES – The need is great, and pledges are still being accepted! bit.ly/FenwayCaresRun
State and Federal Tax filing is due! WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Maggie Van Scoy – best wishes on your new endeavors, as you move on from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services liaison position. We extend our heartfelt thanks for all your work in our neighborhood!
THE WEEK AHEAD
Wednesday, April 10, Fenway Cares (see detail below)
Wednesday, April 10, 6 pm, Fenway Civic Association Annual Meeting, we look forward to seeing you. Flyer below.
ONGOING
Every Other Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.until supplies last, Fenway Cares – Food Distribution Next date: 4/10
Fenway Cares takes place at 2 locations on the same day:
West Fenway – Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston (enter-Jersey)
East Fenway – Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road
Volunteers are welcome to sign up for all dates and both locations! Volunteer
MGH/MBG Community Care Health Clinic – 2-5 p.m. on Fenway Cares dates, East Fenway, inside Morville House, 100 Norway Street. Offerings include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, COVID-19, flu, and a limited number of pneumonia vaccines.
MBTA Current Service Alerts: Thankfully, it seems all the Green Lines are running – with some elevator work going on at select stations. The Orange line from Ruggles to Forest Hills will see weekend closures this month for maintenance, with free commuter rail service to cover this. Click here to see CURRENT service alerts. And remember, the Boston Marathon will cause major transportation disruptions.
Monday, April 22, Comment Period closes for 2 Charlesgate West project
The 2 Charlesgate West development proposal is currently under review. Comments are open through April 22. This large project abutting sensitive parkland and low-rise apartments is seeking considerable zoning relief from the City. A public meeting was held April 4th, where many citizens voiced concerns on the current proposal. The meeting was recorded, and is accessible here: Public Meeting Recording
Wednesday, April 24, 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM, Wentworth Institute of Technology IMP 2024-2034, Public Meeting | Virtual Meeting
The BPDA is hosting a virtual Public Meeting to discuss the recently filed 2024-2034 Wentworth Institute of Technology Institutional Master Plan (“IMP”). The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the IMP, the potential projects listed within the IMP, and discuss potential impacts and mitigation. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public.
How to Participate Please register for the meeting using the following Zoom link: bit.ly/3vomgMU
ARTS & RECREATION
Kaji Aso Studio. The 35th International Haiku Contest submissions are due on April 15, 2024 Please check their site for details.
DEVELOPMENT – BPDA Changes
On March 27, the City Council passed the Planning Department Ordinance to create a City of Boston Planning Department, with a vote of 8 approved – 3 opposed – and 2 abstained. Closely related, the Home Rule Petition will soon be heard in the Statehouse. It was over 60 years ago that Planning functions were taken out of the City to form the BRA to focus on urban blight. Questions now center on the structure and oversight of a new Department.
Fenway Civic Association 