The Week Ahead

April 28, 2025 by fenwaycivic

Dear Members and Friends:

As spring rolls along, we hope to see you on Sundays starting at 1pm at the Edgerly Plaza concert series, running through May. And starting in May, join us in Symphony Park for free fitness classes thanks to Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series – there will be Tai Chi on Wednesdays, and Chair Yoga on Thursdays, details below. Also, please make sure you’re up early on Sunday May 11th to join in on the guided bird walk with Nature Man Mike! There’s a lot to see here, and a great event for beginners or pros!

This Wednesday, April 30th there is an important public meeting on the LONGWOOD PLACE DEVELOPMENT (current location of Simmons dorms, located at 305 Brookline Ave in the Fenway/Longwood Medical Area) Follow this link to the Project Page for full details. At the request of Fenway Civic the comment date for Phase One was extended to May 14. Please join the meeting to see the current plans, and to have the opportunity to comment. This will be a multi-year, multi-phase project that will have a large impact on our community; now is the time for the community to review and comment before construction begins.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, April 30, 6 – 8 pm, Longwood Place Phase One Public Meeting (Virtual meeting). This public (virtual) meeting on Longwood Place (current location of Simmons dorms, located at 305 Brookline Ave in the Fenway/Longwood Medical Area) is detailed below in the DEVELOPMENT SECTION. Given the size and large scope of this project, the Fenway will be irreversibly changed and fully impacted for years to come. The last portion of the meeting will allow for public comments.

FCA ANNUAL FLOWER SHARE – for members

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

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, rain or shine, on May 17, 2025. Flowers are available to all FCA current members. To renew your membership or become a new member, please send your annual dues and membership form to us this week. Members: Click on this link to the Flower Share sign-up which must be completed by May 1st

Flower Share pick-up details: Saturday, May 17, 2025

Click here for flowershare map and times

East Fenway: Fenway Center (68 St. Stephen Street) parking lot, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. West Fenway: Exterior of Fenway Victory Gardens (1200 Boylston Street), 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Special thanks to Northeastern University City & Community Engagement

Thursday, May 1, 6-8 pm, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Institutional Master Plan (IMP) and Draft Project Impact Report (DPIR) – virtual public meeting. See DEVELOPMENT info below for links to this meeting and to project plans. Note: the public comment period end date is May 09, 2025.

UPCOMING

Wednesday, May 7, 10 – 11 am, 1st class of 8 – Tai Chi with Sifu Huan Zhang

8 Wednesdays starting May 7 through June 25, 10 -11 am

Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road

Join neighbors for this gentle introductory tai chi class, taught by Sifu Huan Zhang

In event of rain, classes will be held indoors at Morville House, 100 Norway Street

Classes are made possible through a grant from Berklee College of Music and the City of Boston.

Wednesday, May 7, 5:00pm., Boston Police Community Meeting at Morville House, 100 Norway Street Boston, MA 02115. Please stop by and find out what’s happening from our Boston Police community officer. A great way to stay current on what’s going on and to meet your community officer and bring any questions or concerns you may have. Open to all Fenway residents.

Thursday, May 8, 10 – 11 am, 1st class – Chair Yoga with Michelle

Thursdays starting May 8 through August 28th, 10 – 11 am

Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road

Join Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series for energizing chair yoga, taught by Michelle Coleman. This class prioritizes breathing, feeling, and dropping into the body and is designed for those who do not want to practice on the floor. The practice is intended to improve body awareness, strength and flexibility. For more information, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boston-parks-summer-fitness-series-chair-yoga-tickets-1310318280249?aff=oddtdtcreator

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: 5/7

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 5/21, 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.

Boston’s 250th Anniversary celebrations are taking place all around town, with many venues. Check out some events and get into the Revolutionary Spirit!

DEVELOPMENTS – MAJOR PROJECTS:

LONGWOOD PLACE (current location of Simmons dorms, located at 305 Brookline Ave in the Fenway/Longwood Medical Area) NEW DATES POSTED *** At the request of Fenway Civic the comment date for Phase One was extended to May 14**

Next Public meeting April 30. Follow this link to the Project Page for full details.

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: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 are due by May 14. Follow this link to submit comments.

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Institutional Master Plan (IMP) and Draft Project Impact Report (DPIR)

PUBLIC MEETING – MAY 1 Northeastern University IMP & 262 St Botolph Street

Thursday, May 01, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Please register for the meeting using the following Zoom link:

bosplans.org/NUPublicMeeting525

Meeting ID: 161 258 4680

Toll-Free Call-in Number: 833.568.8864

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.