Boston Flora

Tag: Justine Liff

  • Thursday, November 30 – Holiday Lights on the Mall

    The Friends is excited to once again steward the annual Holiday Lights on the Mall. For the first time, the Holiday Lights will extend all the way to Kenmore Square! Join us at the Mayors lighting ceremony on the first block of the Mall on November 30, beginning immediately after the Boston Common Tree Lighting.

    The iconic holiday light display along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall was the vision of Parks Commissioner Justine Liff and philanthropists Joan and Ted Bernard Cutler, inspired by the illuminated tree-lined boulevards of Paris. Their sense of civic pride inspired others in the neighborhood to support the cause and the all-volunteer Committee to Light the Commonwealth Avenue Mall was born.

    In 2022, the Committee joined with the Friends, creating a new committee to work with the Friends staff to raise the funds necessary to make this annual light display possible and to support the ongoing care of the park. 

    The Friends is proud to be stewards of this special holiday tradition and excited to work with our community to increase support for the Mall year round.

    Today, the lights illuminate the park from early December to April each year and, beginning in 2023, stretch from Arlington Street to Kenmore Square. To donate, and for more information on times, visit https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/holiday-lights/

  • Introducing Christopher Cook, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation

    Introducing Christopher Cook, Commissioner of Parks & Recreation

    Christopher Cook, 37, is Boston’s new Commissioner of Parks & Recreation.  A native of Plymouth, he now lives in West Roxbury, and will be in charge of more than 200 City parks and playgrounds.  Although he is new to the field of parks administration, he can count on the support of the multitude of not for profit Friends groups and park advocates throughout the City.  He studied at Suffolk University and previously served as Arts Commissioner under former Mayor Menino.  Lawrence Harmon of The Boston Globe wrote an interesting article about the new Commissioner which may be found at http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/09/13/cook-good-choice-for-parks-head/2NN0K3Ki7Ru6texgrZAxzI/story.html

    We look forward to meeting Chris Cook in the coming months.  Our hands-on work with the trees of the Back Bay demands a close working relationship with the Parks Department, and our public-private partnership with the City is of paramount importance. Both previous Parks Commissioners, Justine Liff and Antonia Pollak, created a positive cooperative environment for our organization, and we anticipate that spirit of friendship and shared goals will continue under the new administration.

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  • Sunday, February 13, 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Children’s Tea and Fashion Show

    The Friends of the Boston Park Ranger Mounted Unit invites you to a Children’s Tea and Fashion Show on Sunday, February 13 at the Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston Street, Boston, from 2:30 – 5. Mrs. Angela Menino is Honorary Chair, and the event MC is J.C. Monahan of Channel %.  Enjoy coloring and stickers, cookie decorating, adopt-a-stuffed-pony, photo opportunities with a Boston Park Ranger, an auction, and a raffle.  Fashion presentation by Pollywogs.   $85 adults, $45 child, $850/table. Children 2 and younger are free. Contact Ashley at 617-522-2700.  Checks may be made out to Justine Mee Liff Fund for Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit and mailed to the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit, c/o The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, 125 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115.  Names will be held at the door.