Boston Flora

Tag: Liz Vizza

  • Gene Bollinger Named Interim President of The Friends of the Public Garden

    Leslie Singleton Adam, Chair of the Board of The Friends of the Public Garden, is pleased to introduce Gene Bolinger as Interim President.

    “Gene’s long-standing connection with our organization and his profound understanding of our mission and values will ensure the continuity of our efforts to enhance our community’s greenspaces into the new year. We are fortunate to have Gene’s decades of experience enhancing Boston’s open spaces, which will welcome an inspiring new chapter for the Friends.

    The staff’s dedication and professionalism have allowed for an incredibly smooth leadership transition over a busy holiday season, demonstrating the stability and strength of our organization. Gene’s background in open space and landscapes, coupled with 38 years of working and advocating for improvements to Boston’s park system make him a valuable addition to our team.

    Gene was appointed to the Boston Parks Commission in 2023 and has served as a volunteer on the Friends Common Committee and Council, becoming Council Co-chair this year. As Vice President and head of the landscape architecture practice of Weston & Sampson for decades, he participated in completing the recent Master Plan for Boston Common. Gene enjoys exploring our downtown parks through the lens of a park user, identifying ways to better the park experience.

    Gene will work alongside Liz Vizza as she prepares to part with the organization on December 31, 2024. We are immensely grateful to Liz for her unwavering dedication, inspiring leadership, and countless contributions to the Friends over the last 15 years. Liz, your impact on our organization will be felt for years to come.

    Please join me in welcoming our newest Friend, Gene. We are excited to harness his expertise and look towards the future as he supports us during this transition and sets the Friends up for success in our next chapter, which will begin with the appointment of a new President in the first quarter of the new year.”

  • Wednesday, September 25, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Revealing a Deeper History: Intervention at The Founders Monument

    Join The Friends of the Public Garden at The Founders Monument on Boston Common on September 25, 6 pm – 8 pm – for the opening of Revealing a Deeper History, an engaging public art intervention. This free event will feature collaborative storytelling, movement, and film, revealing marginalized voices and hidden histories. There will be a special presentation that includes remarks from FOPG President Liz Vizza, and film producer and storyteller Shanda Foster, a choreographed translation of the deeper story of the Founders Monument by educator, dancer, and choreographer Jenny Oliver, and a talkback session where the audience will have a chance to engage with the artists. Register today, and please indicate on your registration if you require accessible seating. https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/founders-register/

  • Friday, April 30, 6:30 pm – 50 Years of Friends: Memories, Moments & Milestones, Online

    Friday, April 30, 6:30 pm – 50 Years of Friends: Memories, Moments & Milestones, Online

    Friends of the Public Garden will virtually celebrate 50 Years of Friends: Memories Moments & Milestones, on April 30 aty 5:30 pm. This 50th Anniversary program, hosted by WCVB’s Rhondella Richardson, will feature Friends Board Chair Leslie Adam, President Liz Vizza and cameos of just some of the many local residents who help keep the parks so special. This event will also serve as the single largest source of revenue to support the Friends’ critical parks care. Sponsorships and tickets are still available. Call Amanda McGuire at 617-959-1900 for more information, or visit https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/events/50th-anniversary-virtual-celebration/

  • Thursday, August 6, 6:00 pm – Friends of the Public Garden Virtual Annual Meeting

    Please join us for The Friends of the Public Garden’s 50th Annual Meeting, held virtually this year on August 6 at 6 pm on Zoom. The meeting will feature welcoming remarks by Board Chair Leslie Adam, reports from Governance chair Kate Enroth and Treasurer Bill Clendaniel, and a presentation on 2019 Friends activities in the parks from Executive Director Liz Vizza. We will have a Q&A segment to answer questions you might have about our recent work and life in the parks this year.

    Please RSVP using the form found at https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/2020/07/17/august-6-2020-virtual-annual-meeting/ by August 5. Link will be sent after registration.

  • Sunday, May 13, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm – Duckling Day

    The Friends of the Public Garden, in association with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, celebrates Mother’s Day with Boston-area families during its annual Duckling Day event.

    A beloved tradition for more than 30 years, Duckling Day celebrates the children’s classic book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. Every year, over 1,000 people meet up and parade through Boston’s most picturesque parks, dressed like characters from the story. Led by the Harvard Marching Band, the parade will begin on the Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand and end in the Public Garden near the famous Make Way for Ducklings sculpture. Bring your camera – the parade is possibly the most adorable thing you’ll ever see!

    Prior to the parade will be Playtime on the Common, a vibrant array of family entertainment including crafts, face painters, a magician, circus games with Esh Circus Arts, and climbing and jumping with the Knucklebones crew. All families are welcome to decorate their wagons or strollers, bring a picnic, and enjoy springtime in Boston’s most beloved parks!

    10:00 a.m. – Registration/check-in begins
    10:00 a.m. – Playtime on the Common begins
    11:45 a.m. – Executive Director Liz Vizza greets families
    12:00 p.m. – Parade begins

    Registration fee: $35 per family in advance (before May 11th); $40 per family at the event.

    Each registered family will gain free access to all the activities in the Playtime on the Common, and they will receive a special goody bag filled with Duckling Day themed items for each child in their party. Event will be held rain or shine, and there are no refunds. To register visit http://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/2018/02/05/13may2018-ducklingday/

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  • Call for Volunteers – Friends of the Public Garden Docent Program

    The Friends of the Public Garden has just completed a Strategic Plan to guide its growth over the next five years. Executive Director Liz Vizza spoke to the Garden Club of the Back Bay at our Annual Meeting in May, introducing a new initiative. As part of FOPG’s goal to build a strong base of support for the three parks, they want to create a docent program to deepen the public’s connections with these greenspaces. People have a great interest in learning about park history, horticulture and sculpture. Better understanding can also lead to more effective citizen advocates for their care and protection.

    They plan to begin this year with a pilot program of tours of the Public Garden, and are seeking volunteers with an interest in the parks to be trained to lead tours. They anticipate training to be some time in August, and a modest pilot program to be launched in September. They are not expecting people to be able to lead a tour without notes, so no concern about that!

    Please contact Communications and Outreach Director Eileen Scafidi with any questions anyone may have about the program. Image from www.tripadvisor.com.

    E-MAIL FOR EILEEN – eileen@friendsofthepublicgarden.org

  • Tuesday, May 20, 5:00 pm – Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of the Back Bay, Inc.

    Tuesday, May 20, 5:00 pm – Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of the Back Bay, Inc.

    The Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of the Back Bay, Inc. will take place Tuesday, May 20, beginning at 5 pm, at The College Club of Boston, 44 Commonwealth Avenue.  Following the business meeting, Liz Vizza, Executive Director of The Friends of the Public Garden, will speak on the Friends’ new Docent Program.  Garden Club of the Back Bay members will receive written notice.  If you are interested in attending, please email info@bostonflora.com by May 13.

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  • Thursday, August 1, 4:00 pm – Brewer Fountain Tour

    Join Friends Executive Director Elizabeth Vizza at 4 pm on Thursday, August 1st at Brewer Fountain Plaza on the Common, near Park Street station to tour the site of the Friends $4 million renovation project in this corner of the park. Learn about the fountain, see how Phase I of the Friends’ renovation of the surrounding plaza and parkland has transformed this busy inner city crossroads, and hear about our plans to complete the project. The tour will conclude just in time for the weekly 5 p.m. jazz concert at the plaza, sponsored by the Friends and performed by students from Berklee College of Music.

    Please RSVP at (617)723-8144 or via info@friendsofthepublicgarden.org.

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  • Thursday, August 15, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Boston Park Advocates Mayoral Candidates’ Forum

    We have received a letter from our good friends at Boston Park Advocates which we wish to share with our readers:

    Help make parks and open spaces a priority for Boston’s candidates. The Boston Park Advocates is a network of people and organizations who champion our city’s parks and open spaces. You may have been involved in the past, attending a workshop, as sponsor of a candidates’ forum, or by testifying at a city budget hearing.

    We’re jumping into this exciting campaign season. Will you join us? Here’s what’s happening:

    Mayoral Candidates’ Forum on Thursday, August 15th 7-9pm at the Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse.
    Survey on parks & open space sent to all the candidates.
    Updated www.bostonparks.org – check it out!
    Follow Twitter and facebook activity to get the candidates talking about greenspace.
    Calendar of events so park advocates can make sure candidates hear about open space issues.

    What can you do?

    First, join. Go to the sponsorship link on the website to add your organization to the growing list of groups that care about parks and open space. Let’s show candidates that Boston park advocates are from many disciplines: youth, sports, public safety, arts, bikes, health, CDC, and more.

    Second, link to www.bostonparks.org from your organization’s website to get more people educated about parks and open space.

    Third, get involved, go to candidate events, ask about their experiences with parks and let them know what you think is needed from a new mayor to make our greenspace even more spectacular. There are lots of ways to get involved, look at www.bostonparks.org to learn how.

    We’re not supporting a candidate, we’re supporting parks! Please join us.

    For Boston Park Advocates,

    Christine Poff, Franklin Park Coalition
    Valerie Burns, Boston Natural Areas Network
    Julie Crockford, Emerald Necklace Conservancy
    Liz Vizza, Friends of the Public Garden

    http://www.bostonparks.org//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MayorCollageforWebsiteSlider1.png

  • Wednesday, February 23, 10:00 am – The Brewer Fountain Restoration

    Liz Vizza, Executive Director of the Friends of the Public Garden, will be the featured speaker at the February meeting of The Garden Club of the Back Bay. She will talk about the history of The Brewer Fountain on the Boston Common, and the recent undertaking to restore this Boston monument. Prior to joining the Friends in March, 2009, Liz, a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and the Conway School of Landscape Design, ran a consulting firm focused on revitalization of urban open space and cultural landscapes, and facilitated master planning and organizational development for cultural and environmental institutions.  Program free and open to the public, but reservations are required. An optional lunch will follow the presentation ($20). Email info@bostonflora.com to reserve.  Garden Club members will receive written notification in the mail.