Boston Flora

Tag: Park Rangers

  • Thursday, November 13, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – 18th Annual Boston International Fine Art Show Gala

    The 18th Annual Boston International Fine Art Show Gala Preview will be held Thursday November 13, 2014 at the Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street, Boston, to benefit the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit. The 18th Annual BIFAS will continue to feature the best in historic, modern, and contemporary fine art, with 40 galleries from the United States, India, Europe, and Canada. The Friends were established in 2008 in order to preserve the Mounted Unit. Boston was under fiscal pressure and the six horses that patrol the nine parks of the Emerald Necklace were going to be cut. Thanks to generous donations, the horses today still provide a safety net in our parks. This year the friends must raise $100,000 in donations to ensure continuation of the Mounted Unit. Your participation will help us achieve this goal! For more information on the horses or to purchase tickets (at $125 and $250 levels) please visit www.SaveBostonsHorses.org. Enjoy exquisite cuisine, fine wine compliments of Dark Horse, and music, while being among the first to select from a dazzling array of fine art.

    The show will continue throughout the weekend with special receptions, lectures, and dealer booth talks. Opening on Friday at 1:00pm and running until 8, Saturday from 11am-8pm, and Sunday from 11am-5pm. To see the special receptions and programs going on please visit www.FineArtBoston.com.

  • Thursday, November 21, 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Special Salute to Toni!

    Thursday, November 21, 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Special Salute to Toni!

    Please join Honorary Chair Henry Lee and Chair Pamela Lazares, along with the Friends of the Mounted Unit for complimentary libations and hors d’oeuvre in their continuing support of the Boston’s Park Rangers Mounted Unit on Thursday, November 21, from 6 – 8 in the Admirals Bank, John Hancock Tower, 200 Clarendon Street, 22nd floor, Boston. $150 per ticket.

    Pamela Lazares invites you as well to a private reception honoring retiring Commissioner of Boston’s Parks and Recreation Antonia M. Pollak, from 5 – 6.  The $500 VIP ticket includes the general reception.  RSVP by November 16 – you may do so online and pay with PayPal at www.savebostonshorses.org.

    Check in at the front desk, first floor of the John Hancock building – please bring proof of identification.

    T_Pollak_sq

     

  • Saturday, January 19, 11:00 am – Winter Wildlife Cruise

    Nature lovers, photographers and anyone interested in the natural wonders of the harbor really enjoy this trip to the Boston Harbor Islands on Saturday, January 19, beginning at 11 am. Cruise the outer Harbor Islands, Hingham Bay and Weir River Estuary. Park Rangers will lead this winter wildlife tour. The boat leaves from Long Wharf North, 66 Long Wharf in Boston, and details may be found at www.bostonharborislands.org.

  • Thursday, August 25, 5:00 pm – Putnam Boston Equestrian Classic Preview Party

    You are invited to the Putnam Boston Equestrian Classic Preview Party to benefit the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit.  Boston Jumps on the Common is free of charge and open to the public on Thursday, August 25, beginning at 5 pm on the Boston Common, corner of Beacon Street and Charles Street.  Enjoy a preview of the Putnam Boston Equestrian Classic and see Olympic Grand Prix jumping, followed by an exhibition by the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit.  The Putnam Equestrian Classic will take place at the Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton September 8 – 11.  For more information, call (978) 491-9456 or visit www.bostonequestrianclassic.com.

  • Saturday, April 30, 12:00 noon – Grand Opening of the Emerald Necklace Visitor Center

    Celebrate the grand opening of the Emerald Necklace Visitor Center at 125 The Fenway, Boston, on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1.  All events are free and open to the public.  At noon, Mayor Thomas M. Menino will cut the ribbon along with special guests.  From noon until 3:30, a very special Art in Bloom floral arrangement inspired by the Back Bay Fens will be on display, courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.  From 12:30 until 2, Gerry Wright will appear in his “other” persona, Frederick Law Olmsted, and the Park Rangers Mounted Unit “Adopt a Horse” program will be featured.  At 2, 2:30 and 3, there will be screenings of Stories from the Emerald Necklace, a documentary film depicting the variety of visitor stories found in the Necklace.  Also, between 12:30 and 1:15, artist Dustan Knight will talk about the creative process as Dustan works in watercolors to capture the special Art in Bloom floral arrangement on paper.

    From 12:45 – 3 pm, you may meet the gardeners at the Fenway Victory Gardens and visit the newly renovated Special Needs Garden, as well as participate in hands-on workshops.  From 1 – 2:30, Alan Banks, Supervisory Park Ranger, will lead an interpretive walk through the Back Bay Fens beginning at the Visitor Center entitled “Garden in the Machine.”  For the athletes, join a fun run with 3, 5 and 7 mile options led by Mark Lowenstein, author of Great Runs in Boston, with a route starting at the Visitor Center, continuing along the Necklace out to Jamaica Pond, and returning to the Visitor Center, starting at 1:15 pm.

    Over at the Wentworth Institute, Frederick Law Olmsted, a one-man play written by performed by Gerry Wright, will begin at 3 pm, followed by a short reception, and at 4:30, in the same venue, there will be a screening of The Olmsted Legacy: America’s Urban Parks documentary.  If you prefer, at 3 pm you may join Conservancy president Julie Crockford and City Councilor Mike Ross for a bike ride to Franklin park, and stay for the 4 pm Weeds as Feed walk led by a Franklin Park coalition naturalist.  For complete times and directions, log on to www.emeraldnecklace.org/visitorcentergrandopening/.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tuesday, November 30, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Benefit

    Please join The Honorable Thomas M. Menino and the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit for Cocktails in Support of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit on Tuesday, November 30, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Parkman House, 33 Beacon Street in Boston.  Hear remarks by Henry Lee, President of the Friends of the Public Garden, and by Julie Crockford, President of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.  Please respond by November 16 to Ashley Helie at 617-522-2700, or email her at ahelie@emeraldnecklace.org.  Tickets are $500 each.  If you cannot attend, donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted.  Checks may be made payable to the Justine Mee Liff Fund for Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit, and mailed to the Friends c/o The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, PO Box 300699, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.

    Your contributions will benefit Mystic, Jake, Liberty, Winston, Baron, and Fred.  Fred has been an honored guest as past Garden Club of the Back Bay benefit events, although his presence was limited to an “outside role.”

  • Elimination of the Mounted Unit of the Park Rangers

    The following  letter has been received by The Garden Club of the Back Bay from Michele Hanss, Chairman of The Boston Committee:

    It has come to our attention that the Mounted Unit of the Park Rangers for the City of Boston may be eliminated later this month on June 30th due to cuts in the Parks and Recreation budget. This poses serious consequences primarily affecting the safety of the parks by sharply decreasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Park Rangers. A number of park related non-profits such as the Friends of Jamaica Pond, Franklin Park Coalition, and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy are working hard to influence the outcome of this and our support is needed right now.

    Monies are being raised privately through several sources and you can help by sending contributions to:

    The Emerald Necklace Conservancy
    891 Centre Street
    Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts 02130

    Please include in the memo section of your check: horses. If, despite all this effort, the unit does not survive these tough financial times, the checks will be returned. If you have any questions concerning this please e-mail Julia Owens at jowens@ridgewayadvisors.com since she is handling all requests for information.

    Thank you for your consideration in supporting our park lands.

    http://www.friendsofjamaicapond.org/images/ParkRangers/Ranger3470s.jpg

  • Sunday, October 19, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm – Peddocks Island Trip

    From harbor protection to national park area, the uses of Peddocks Island have varied greatly based on the needs of Native Americans, Colonists and Bostonians.  The island’s proximity to the mainland ensured its prominent military role.  During the Revolutionary War, patriots raided a loyalist farm and Peddocks saw over 600 militiamen stationed on the island to guard the harbor against the return of British troops.  In more recent times, Fort Andrews protected the harbor from 1904 to the end of World War II.  Twenty six structures remain, including guardhouses, prisoner-of-war barracks, stables, a gymnasium and a firehouse.  At 184 acres, Peddocks is one of the largest, most diverse islands in the Boston harbor.  Gravel bars called tombolos link the five drumlins that form the island.  Fort Andrews to the east overlooks the waters of Hull Gut.  Quaint cottages and a salt marsh occupy the Middle Head, while West Head is a conservation area.  Join the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands and Park Rangers for a walk through history and rustic island terrain.  Advance Ticket Purchase recommended.  Adults – $28, FBHI member or Senior (65+) – $25.  Purchase on-line at www.FBHI.org ($2 transaction fee per ticket).  Boat will pick up passengers at Fan Pier in Boston at 11:00 am and Pemberton Point Pier in Hull at 11:45 am.

    http://web.mit.edu/glb-coffee/www/images/Bluehills.jpg

  • Monday, June 1, 7 – 9 pm – Save the Boston Mounted Park Rangers Horses

    The Emerald Necklace Conservancy announces a night of fun and fundraising to Save the Boston Mounted Park Rangers Horses on Monday, June 1 from 7 – 9 pm.  The Boston Park Ranger Mounted Unit has its own department horses, tack, trailers, and patrol vehicles.  They patrol all nine parks in the Emerald Necklace as well as neighborhood parks and cemeteries.  Over the years, The Boston Park Ranger Mounted Unit has grown into a highly recognized and respected agency in the City of Boston. There will be delicious food and drinks and live music presented by the hot Boston band Felix Brown at Jacob Wirth Restaurant, 31-37 Stuart Street, Boston, between Washington and Tremont Streets.  Saddle up and help the Mounted Park Rangers as a “Mane Supporter” ($1,000), “Chomping at the Bit” ($500), “Hot to Trot” ($250), “In the Saddle” ($100) or “Stirrup Enthusiasm” ($50).  Please rsvp to Susan Knight: sknight@emeraldnecklace.org or call 617-522-2700.  All contributions are tax deductible.  Payments can be made by check or credit card.  Make checks payable to Justine Mee Liff Fund.  Mail to Emerald Necklace Conservancy, 891 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.  RSVP by May 30 – checks only at the door.  Log on to www.emeraldnecklace.org for more information.