The Week Ahead

April 13, 2025 by fenwaycivic

Dear Members and Friends:

Lots of action this spring, with a new concert series at Edgerly Plaza (weather permitting), the Boston Marathon, FCA’s Annual Flower Share, and activities are ramping up to celebrate Boston’s 250th Anniversary! Mayor Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hour is coming to the Fenway on June 11th.

Boston City Council news: Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson has agreed to plead guilty to two of the six federal corruption charges against her, and the Boston Globe reports she will resign. A sentencing hearing is upcoming. There may be a special election to fill the seat, we are watching these developments.

THE WEEK AHEAD

*Rained out* Sunday, April 13th, 1 p.m., Sunday Concert Series at Edgerly Plaza. No concert due to rain in the forecast. Better luck next week!

Taxes due April 15th.

A new business initiative: Samuels & Associates is excited to announce The S&A Bulletin – to expand their network with minority, LGBTQ+, and women owned small businesses. They are looking for new talent and partners for the opportunities which include creative work, catering, web-based work, events and more with fair, industry-standard compensation. Check out their postings here.

UPCOMING

Sunday, April 20, 1 p.m., Sunday Concert Series at Edgerly Plaza.

Monday, April 21 – all day, Boston Marathon – Race Info | Boston Athletic Association

Note, there will be city-wide traffic implications and road closures. Check the Boston.gov site for full details! One of the best parts of this race is the crowd cheering on the runners – we’re cheering on Chelsea Lauder running to raise funds for Fenway Cares! Thanks to CITGO for extending this opportunity. Please consider supporting Chelsea and Fenway Cares by donating and sharing this fundraiser! Read her story and donate to the cause at: https://tinyurl.com/FenwayCares-Marathon2025

Saturday, April 26, 10am – noon, The 17th annual Muddy River Cleanup at various locations, sign up required, materials provided. Click the link for details.

Thursday, May 1 – last day to register for the FCA Flowershare (members, check your email – to become a member, email us at fenwaycivic@aol.com)

May 8th, 4-6 pm, Councillor Councilor Durkan Office hours at Phinista Cafe (96 Peterborough St.) – follow this link to book online Spring Office Hours. There are different dates and times for the Fenway, Kemore, and Audubon Circle neighborhoods to meet the demand seen in the past. Book a timeslot online, or drop in and say hello. (see flyer)

Sunday, May 11, 7:30am start, FCA Annual Birds of the Back Bay Fens 2025 Guided Bird Walk with Nature Man Mike. Meet in the Back Bay Fens 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 are welcome. Bring binoculars. This event is rain or shine. (see the flyer below)

Saturday, May 17, hours per location, Annual FCA Members Flower Share – East and West Fens locations, rain or shine! We are thrilled to continue our longstanding tradition of partnership with Northeastern University to bring flowers to Fenway residents. Flowers are available to FCA active members – if you have not yet sent your membership dues, we hope you will do so soon. Register via the link emailed to you by May 1st to ensure your flowers will be ready! If you would like to become a member, please email us at fenwaycivic@aol.com.

Wednesday, June 11, 10 – 11:00 a.m., Mayor Michelle Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours, Back Bay Fens – Kelleher Rose Garden (rain location: FCC) save the date!

ONGOING

FENWAY CARES Every Other Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. ’til done, Next date: 4/23

Fenway Cares Food Distribution at 2 locations:

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!

The MGH/MBG Community Care Health Clinic will now rotate locations between the West Fenway and East Fenway locations from 1-5 p.m. on Fenway Cares dates. Upcoming schedule: Fenway Community Center on 4/23, and at Morville House, 100 Norway Street on 5/7. Offerings may include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

RED SOX LINKS: Here’s the 2025 Boston Red Sox – Schedule. Go Sox!

Neighborhood 9s: The Boston Red Sox Neighborhood Nines program—open to residents of the Fenway, Kenmore Square, and Audubon Circle—gives each qualified registrant a code that opens the door to $9 tickets for home games. Buy up to four tickets per game for up to five non-playoff games during the season. Register at https://www.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/specials/neighborhood9s.

Follow this link to Concerts at Fenway Park.

SURVEYS AND ACTION PLANS

What do want to see at Edgerly Plaza? Take a quick survey to add your thoughts.

Fenway Transportation Action Plan

City of Boston’s Anti-Displacement Initiative

Community-Based Flood Resilience and Green Infrastructure

Boston Rodent Action Plan (BRAP)

ONGOING ARTS & RECREATION

New England Conservatory – offers free, open to the public performances

Boston Family Pass– Free admission to museums, zoo, aquarium and more!

Boston Parks and Recreation Fitness Series virtual and live events

ArtsBoston calendar a citywide listing of cultural events

Kaji Aso Studio fine arts & Japanese culture, classes, exhibits & special events

DEVELOPMENTS – MAJOR PROJECTS:

LONGWOOD PLACE (current location of Simmons dorms, located at 305 Brookline Ave in the Fenway/Longwood Medical Area) Given the size and large scope of this project, the Fenway will be fully impacted for years to come.

DUE THIS WEEK *** Comments on Phase One of the Longwood Place Project are currently due by April 18. Follow this link to submit your comments.

Rendering of Longwood Place, Phase I, from the developer’s March 18, 2025 filing.

On March 18, the developer, SKANSKA, posted the following Project Notification Form for the Initial Project Components of Longwood Place : click this link to see full details: Initial Project Components of Longwood Place.

This project was the subject of intense neighborhood discussions, a series of public meetings by both the BPDA and Fenway Civic, and is the central project in the Shadows on Parks study and discussion. This posting shows details of phase one. Comments on Phase One of the Longwood Place Project are currently due by April 18. Follow this link to submit your comments.

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Institutional Master Plan (IMP) and Draft Project Impact Report (DPIR) Comment End Date May 09, 2025

Below is a map showing NEU property holdings in proximity to the Back Bay Fens

Follow these links to review an electronic copy of the Institutional Master Plan (IMP) and Draft Project Impact Report (DPIR) for the proposed Northeastern University IMP 2025-2035 located in Fenway and Mission Hill and Roxbury which was received on March 07, 2025.

The filing kicks off the public review process for the proposed plan. Notice of upcoming public meetings will be posted on the plan website and sent out as soon as possible.

Click here to go to NEU comments page

Below is a rendering of the proposed athletic facility.