The Boston Parks Department is sponsoring a guided local hike on December 27 at 3:30 pm, beginning at the Arlington Street Entrance of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Learn about the important role therapy and facility dogs have. Healthy, licensed, well behaved, non-reactive, and leashed dogs are welcome. For more information visit https://www.boston.gov/calendar/hike-boston-therapy-dog-holiday-stroll
The Boston Parks Department is sponsoring a guided local hike on December 21 at 4 pm, titled “A Christmas Gift from the City of Trees,” exploring the significance of why Boston receives a tree from Halifax each year. The walk begins on the Boston Common, 139 Tremont Street. For more information visit https://www.boston.gov/calendar/hike-boston-park-ranger-holiday-program-bc-0
On February 10, 1983, Michael Connor, then Superintendent of Horticulture in the Boston Parks Department, was our guest, speaking on the topic of Perennials for the Library Courtyard. At the time, our Club maintained the garden at the main branch on Boylston Street. He outlined what perennials could be started from seed, and the various methods of propagation. He volunteered greenhouse space at Franklin Park. The consensus was that annual begonias would be planted in the spring, and perennials could be started the following year. Mr. Connor then offered the Club a tour of the Franklin Park Greenhouses in May. Notes indicate the tour took place, with only four Club members attending. Ultimately, perennials, most notably hosta and pachysandra, were planted in the library beds. with many of the plants coming from past President Margaret Pokorny’s gardens in New Hampshire, and these plants were divided and redivided over the years. Having greenhouse space offered by the City was a special tribute to our Club’s energy in pursuing neighborhood beautification projects, which continue today.
On Saturday, May 17, bike to the Franklin Park Playstead Ballfields, Pierpont Road, Boston, or you can get a free bike “rental†of any size to ride on paved park paths. Kites that are easy to fly will be for sale starting at just a few dollars up to big, fancy ones. Bring a picnic lunch or enjoy fare from local food trucks. Sponsored by the Franklin Park Coalition, Discover Roxbury, the Boston Parks Department, and Boston Bikes. The event runs from 11 – 4, and you can find directions and more information at www.franklinparkcoalition.org.
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.
Join Boston Park Advocates for the third Capacity Building Workshop in the 2011-12 series! On January 17th Derek Lumpkins from Discover Roxbury & Lauren Patrick from the Boston Parks Department will lead a workshop on How to build your Social Media Fan Base (facebook & twitter). Find out how to build your fan base, how to keep them engaged, and how often you should be communicating with them! Socializing and pizza at 5:30; workshop starts promptly at 6:00pm. RSVP: Ivett@bostonparks.org or 617-442-4141. The event will take place at BNAN offices, 62 Summer Street, 2nd Floor, in downtown Boston.
The Boston Parks Department and Art Commission are presenting free winter photography workshops December-February. The next event will take place Sunday, January 8, from 10 – 12 at Christopher Columbus Park.
Participants in the scavenger hunt will be asked to search for unique features in specific Boston Parks based on clues. The clues for the scavenger hunt will be emailed and posted on www.facebook.com/bostonparksdepartment and www.twitter.com/bostonparksdept. For those who take the best photos of these specific one-of-a-kind landmarks, there’s an opportunity to win cool prizes!! Register via email: lauren.patrick@cityofboston.gov.
The Friends of the Public Garden, in association with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and Boston Parks Commissioner Antonia Pollak, will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of construction of the Brewer Plaza and surrounding green space near the Brewer Fountain by Tremont Street on Wednesday, March 23, at noon.
Organizing your group and keeping it energized can be challenging for both new and experienced advocates. Join other park/open space advocates in this workshop with Paul Sutton, Urban Wilds Initiative Program Manager, Boston Parks and Recreation; Conrad Crawford, Director of Partnerships, DCR; and leaders from established park friends groups in Boston. Presenters will share advice and experience about creating and building an effective friends group. There will be opportunities to ask questions, and following the workshop there will be a networking lunch at a restaurant in Chinatown for those interested.
Where: The Metropolitan Community Room, 38 Oak Street, Chinatown (pictured below)
When: Saturday January 29, 2011
Time: 9:15am Coffee
9:30am -12:00pm Workshop
12:30pm Networking lunch
RSVP: nina@bostonparks.org
The Metropolitan is two blocks from the Orange Line’s New England Medical Center station, and a 10 minute walk from the Boylston Station on the Green Line.
Hourly parking is available in the Metropolitan’s public garage.
The workshop will cover topics relevant to newer groups and more established groups:
* How to structure your friends group
* Whether or not to incorporate
* Recruiting key stakeholders in your community: individuals, youth, churches, businesses
* Putting volunteers to work
* Organizing activities and events
* Relationships with park agencies
* Advocating for your park
