Boston Flora

Tag: boston common

  • Saturday, August 4, 12:00 noon – Sparrow

    In her newest book, Sparrow, science author Kim Todd explores the complex history, biology, and literary tradition of the sparrow. From the Sparrow War of the late 1800s in the United States (a battle over the sparrow’s introduction which climaxed at Boston Common), to the recent mysterious decline of house sparrows globally, the sparrow has been at the center of the invasive species debate for over 150 years.  Kim will appear at The Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, on Saturday, August 4, at 12 noon.  For directions and parking information, visit www.hmnh.harvard.edu.  Regular admission rates apply. Free for members.

  • Wednesday, July 11, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Summer Tree Stroll

    The Boston Urban Forest Council presents a Summer Tree Stroll on Wednesday, July 11, from 6:30 – 8.  Meet at the Brewer Fountain on the Boston Common (behind the Park Street T-Station.)  Summer evenings are the perfect time to notice the shapes of trees.  Come and learn to distinguish between the upright ginkgo, the spreading oak, and the vase shaped elm.  You will also learn to identify leaves and find historic trees as you walk the Common and the Public Garden, enjoying the beauty of a summer evening.  Sponsored by Boston Natural Areas Network in partnership with the Friends of the Public Garden and the Boston Parks & Recreation department.  Please register for this free event by calling 617-542-7696, or emailing info@bostonnatural.org.  Photo from www.joenesgarden.com.

  • Sunday, May 13, 10:30 am – Annual Duckling Day Parade

    The Friends of the Public Garden will celebrate Mother’s Day with Boston-area families during its annual Duckling Day parade on Sunday May 13th. Registration will begin at 10:30am and the parade will begin at noon.

    Based on the children’s classic Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, Duckling Day is an annual event where children and their families retrace the steps of the beloved characters Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their family of eight ducklings. The parade will begin at the Boston Common on the corner of Beacon and Park Street. Children will parade through Beacon Hill dressed like characters from the story and end in the Public Garden near the famous duckling sculptures.

    Prior to the parade there will be plenty of family entertainment including a face painter, balloon artist and a magician. Mayor Menino will greet families at the end of the parade and actors from the Wheelock Family Theater will do a dramatic reading from the book.

    The registration fee is $35 per family in advance and $40 per family the day of the event. Each family that registers will receive a special goodie bag filled with Duckling Day toys and treats.  For more information visit www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org.  Photo courtesy of www.universalhub.com – don’t you just love the feathers?

  • Tuesday, March 13, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Boston Flower & Garden Show Preview Party

    The 2012 Boston Flower & Garden Show will kick off with an elegant fundraising Preview Party at The Seaport World Trade Center chaired by Fox 25′s Maria Stephanos and hosted by Mayor and Mrs. Thomas Menino. Proceeds from the Preview Party will help restore Boston Parks Department’s Greenhouses, where plants are propagated for the Public Garden, Boston Common, and dozens of neighborhood parks. Special guests, entertainment, delightful food and beverage and a silent auction make this an exclusive and enjoyable opportunity to view the show’s gardens and exhibits before the show opens to the general public the following day. Tickets are $100 each before February 14, $125 per person thereafter.  You may also purchase a $500 Friend ticket, and your company name or patron name will be displayed in the program.  Ticket includes admission to the private party, exclusive viewing of the Flower Show’s gardens and the chance to meet the designers, open bar, complimentary hor d’oeuvres reception, live music, and one ticket to return to the Flower Show later in the week.  You may download a ticket order form by visiting www.bostonflowershow.com/preview-party/.  Pictured below is the original Olmsted greenhouse in Franklin Park.

  • Saturday, December 31 – First Night on the Common

    The Friends of the Public Garden have announced the top reasons to spend New Year’s Eve on the Boston Common:

    1. The Boston Common is the nation’s oldest public park! It’s a wonderful, historic place to welcome the New Year.

    2. “The Looking Glass”: Don Chapelle will be carving an ice sculpture so large that you will actually be able to walk through it (weather permitting)! This fantastic piece will be on display on the Common from 6 p.m. until 6:45

    3. Master ice carver Steve Ross pays tribute to the island of Puerto Rico with his piece that will be on display near the Frog Pond from 6 p.m. until 6:45

    4. The TADpole play ground will be home to several First Night Frogs, also in ice! Take a chance to walk around and see each of these incredible sculptures.

    5. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. Viva Viva will thrill audiences with a sound that is equal parts infectious-pop and dark-stomping-blues combined with their own blend of hope, disappointment, grit and wit.

    6. Next up, Vanzetti will perform with their unique style of jazz, grunge and psychedelia- culminating in a post apocalyptic folk sound.

    7. Count down to midnight with Amos Blood! Playing from 10:45 right up until midnight for your enjoyment.

    8. Connect with neighbors and friends as you countdown to midnight in this great public space! Boston has a really wonderful community! See it first hand!

    9. Enjoy an incredible view of the fireworks that will signify the beginning of a new year!  Photo below from www.bostonist.com.

     

  • Thursday, December 1, 6:00 pm – Boston Common Tree Lighting

    Join Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Province of Nova Scotia, WCVB-TV Channel 5, and MAGIC 106.7 FM for the lighting of Boston Common, the Public Garden, and the City of Boston’s Official Christmas Tree. Acts to be announced, check  at www.cityofboston.gov/parks for updates.

  • Wednesday, October 5, 6:00 pm – The Future of Trees in the Public Garden, Boston Common and Commonwealth Avenue Mall

    The Friends of the Public Garden invites all members to a Members Reception on Wednesday, October 5, beginning at 6 pm at the Union Club, 8 Park Street, Boston.  There will be time to socialize and to celebrate Henry Davis, a distinguished arborist who has spent over four decades working with the Friends to care for the trees in our three parks.  Hear Henry’s insights on The Future of Trees in the Public Garden, Boston Common and Commonwealth Avenue Mall.  The event is free to members, but please rsvp, as space is limited.  Email by Friday, September 30 at fopg@gis.net, or call 617-723-8144 for information (or to join, if you have not already done so.)  Membership can be renewed at this event as well.

  • Friends of the Public Garden Doggy Survey

    The Friends of the Public Garden is working to put together a snap shot of how people utilize the Public Garden, Boston Common and Commonwealth Avenue Mall for their pets. The Friends is asking dog owners to participate in the discussion by taking a brief survey regarding their use of the parks. Questions are designed to gauge how often dogs use each space and which spaces are used most often. Friends is also interested in hearing what dog owners have to say about an off-leash pilot program. The survey is available online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/KKSQFJ9.  For a printed copy, call the Friends at 617-723-8144.  Provide your email address at the end of the survey to be entered into a drawing to win a $20 gift certificate for Fish & Bone- Urban Pet Essentials.

  • Thursday, December 2, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Boston Common Tree Lighting Ceremony

    The City of Boston’s Official Tree Lighting hosted by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, title sponsor the Province of Nova Scotia, and media sponsors WCVB-TV Channel 5 and MAGIC 106.7 FM comes to Boston Common on Thursday, December 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This will be the 69th annual Tree Lighting on Boston Common. Chronicle’s Anthony Everett and NewsCenter Five’s JC Monahan will host Channel 5’s live broadcast of the event beginning at 7 p.m. The celebration will feature the Radio City Rockettes, 2006 American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee, Grammy-winning R&B singer Patti Austin and the Boston Pops Gospel Choir, among many others.

    Boston Common Christmas Tree

  • Tuesday, July 13, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Friends of the Public Garden All-Star Softball Game

    The Friends of the Public Garden is holding a softball game fundraiser recognizing the role of recreation in the Boston Common, beginning with the Essex Base Ball Organization demonstrating a 19th Century ball game.  You may play for $250, sponsor for $100, or come watch free.  The July 13 event, beginning at 5:30 pm, will take place on the Boston Common Ball Field, Charles and Boylston Streets.  For more information, log on to www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org.

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