whna | Entries tagged with greenspace and parks

Recently there was an uproar when we found out that DCR is going to remove 8 mature oak trees from the park. This was after the widely disputed decision to include a fake turf field, so many residents were vocal about more assault on our green spaces. Pat Jehlen sent out this memo which was posted to the Green and Open Somerville mailing list.

Pasting in full:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MEMO

Senator Jehlen, Representatives Barber, Connolly and Provost with staff members met with Commissioner Montgomery and Deputy Engineer Raul Silva at the state house on Tuesday, February 25.

About trees, we learned that:

The new plan reorients the turf field slightly. It will be larger, to accommodate not only soccer but football.
The 5 oak trees will be preserved, but the 3 ash trees previously planned for removal will be removed, along with another three.
The trees will be replaced with 12-15 new trees. They will be planted in the fall, after construction.
DCR tree staff will meet with Somerville’s Urban Forestry Committee to plan what kind of trees will be placed where.
We urged that some trees be placed to shield the playground from car exhaust.
There will also be a shade structure, with concrete pad and picnic tables, on the Fellsway West side.

About construction, we learned that:

The contract has been awarded.
Some activities, including snow fencing and marking, will begin the second week of March.
Heavy construction will be from April to June, ending in time to avoid interference with the pool opening.
The field should open in August.
Construction vehicles will not be allowed to park on Fellsway West.
DCR reiterated that the turf field will have a low fence with an unlocked gate to keep dogs off the field.

About communication, we expressed dissatisfaction with the process so far. We learned that:

There is not time for a full public meeting before activity begins on the field.
DCR will issue a press release next week with their plans, and a link to images on a website.
We will continue to ask for an opportunity for people to ask questions

About future developments, we learned that:

In the fall, the pool will be enlarged and repaired.
DCR will work with the city and DOT to
- make a gate in the fence where it’s already cut
- Plan a crosswalk and lights for folks to cross McGrath at Blakeley Ave to Stop & Shop

We will continue to advocate for public meetings, for both information and input.

mem_winterhill

Via the "Sustainaville" monthly newsletter from the city:

It has been just over one year since Somerville Climate Forward was released and departments across the City have been hard at work implementing the priority actions identified in Somerville's community climate action plan. We are thrilled to report progress in each of the thirteen priority action areas of the plan. The new progress report summarizes work completed over the past year and provides a preview of what is underway for 2020. We are committed to completing annual reports of our progress towards our ambitious climate goals.
Some highlights from the past year include:

Over $500,000 of the Fiscal Year 2020 budget was dedicated to implementing Climate Forward priorities.
The Office of Sustainability and Environment added a new Energy Manager position, growing the office to 4 full-time staff.
The City's Engineering Department developed a detailed stormwater model of the city and used it to understand what parts of the city are likely to flood during storms today and with the changing climate in the future.
The 2020 Somerville Community Choice Electricity program doubles the additional amount of renewable electricity in the standard option from 5% to 10% above the state requirement.
Somerville’s first bi-directional bus lanes were installed on Broadway and over 4 miles of bike facilities were installed throughout the city.

You can download and read the full report at somervillema.gov/climateforward.

mem_winterhill

Via the SomPedTransit mailing list, I was alerted to the floating [ahem] of a proposal to replace the pedestrian/cyclist bridge across the Mystic with a gondola. No, seriously, stop laughing. It was in the Globe.

Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/07/business/everett-officials-envision-aerial-gondolas-city-hall-casino-assembly-station/

Reply: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/07/metro/walkers-cyclists-worry-that-an-everett-gondola-would-cost-them-crucial-connection/

Non-Globe piece that doesn't require subscription: https://patch.com/massachusetts/somerville/environmental-advocates-push-back-against-encore-gondola-proposal

This is, of course, insane. Low volume, subject to breaking, in a windy area... I rarely state my own opinion on these things here, trying to be a bit neutral. But this is a hard NO from me if it replaces the bridge.

That said, we joked about how this might actually work up Winter Hill if we can't get a north-south bus route. But no, this is just kidding.

Examples:

I was about to have kittens about the gondola, and then I was remembering a trip to Pittsburgh where they have this fun tram up a nearby hill that takes you to this kind of sweet view and there's an ice cream place up there...it doesn't suck.

https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/directory/duquesne-incline/

I definitely don't want a gondola system to come at the cost of a bike/ped bridge. That said I had seen a City Beautiful YouTube video about gondola systems recently and I've been day dreaming about a line running from the casino through Assembly to Ten Hills, the tops of Winter and Spring Hills and onward to Harvard via Conway Park.

Maybe I just hate climbing hills.

I prefer the TransitTrebuchet.

Plus a footbridge, of course.

Pushback from Mystic River Watershed folks: https://mysticriver.org/news/2020/2/10/mystic-river-watershed-association-calls-on-state-and-encore-to-partner-on-mystic-river-pedestrian-and-bicycle-bridge

Anyway: I draw your attention to the Draw Seven park upcoming meeting where influencing the decision on the bridge might be worthwhile.
https://whna.dreamwidth.org/53669.html

Edit to add: the last meeting I recall on the Pedestrian bridge is here: https://whna.dreamwidth.org/16420.html You can download the slides that make the state's own case for the bridge form.

mem_winterhill

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

Public Meeting

DRAW SEVEN PARK RENOVATION

Tuesday, February 25, 2020 - 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.*

(Snow Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020 – 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

Partners Health Care Assembly Room – Room B, 1^st Floor

309 Revolution Drive, Somerville, MA 02145

At this public meeting, DCR will present and obtain input on a proposed schematic design for Draw Seven Park.

The presentation will be viewable after the meeting on DCR’s website at

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/materials-from-past-meetings. The public will be invited to submit comments after the public meeting, with a deadline for receipt by DCR of close-of-business on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Comments may be submitted online at https://www.mass.gov/forms/dcr-public-comments or by writing to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Office of Public Outreach, 251 Causeway Street, 6^th Floor, Boston, MA 02114.

Please note that comments submitted to DCR may be posted on the DCR website in their entirety, and no information, including personal information, will be redacted.

If you have questions or concerns or would like to be added to an email list to receive DCR general or project-specific announcements, please email Mass.Parks@state.ma.us or call 617-626-4973.

*In case of inclement weather, please see www.mass.gov/dcr to see if the meeting has been postponed to the snow date.

EDIT: adding my thread of live-tweeting from the meeting with images https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1232445821179715591.html

Download the slides from the state [PDF]: https://www.mass.gov/doc/draw-seven-park-renovation-meeting-presentation/download

mem_winterhill

One of our upcoming "theme" meetings may be gardening! But ahead of that, you might want to place an order with our local garden group.

http://www.thegrowingcenter.org/seed-sale

Via reddit/r/somerville:

It's time to think spring and consider what seeds you want to plant in the 2020 growing season! Once again, we are happy to be partnering with High Mowing Seeds from Vermont, who offer us a percentage of seed sales to help support the Growing Center's activities.

Please check out the seed and seed kit information here and complete this form to place your order online by our deadline of March 1.

You can also order your seeds in-person from our Seed Sale & Swap on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market, at the Armory, at 191 Highland Avenue. Please come say hello and bring some (labeled) seeds to share with your neighbors! It's always a fun way to share seeds and garden stories with others, while dreaming of the 2020 growing season!

Then, mark your calendars, because seed orders will be available for pick-up on March 21, 9:30am - 2pm at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market (if this won't work for you, please contact us to make other arrangements).

mem_winterhill

Watch on YouTube

mem_winterhill

DCR developing design for Draw Seven Park https://www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/95201

The design elements of the Draw Seven Park project includes:

The protection of upland areas against storm surges and rising sea levels by elevating the grades;

The installation of a “living shoreline” with the restoration of salt marshes and shellfish habitat;

The restoration of fresh water wetlands;

The installation of green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality;

The upgrading of the Amelia Earhart Dam utilities and flood protection;

The reconstruction of a shared-use river path;

The construction of new trails with scenic overlooks;

The installation of new interpretive signage featuring site history and area ecology;

The development of new park activity areas, such as gathering areas with trees, seating, and lawn areas for recreation; and,

The installation of new native plants and landscaping.

mem_winterhill

http://somervillema.gov/news/healey-schoolyard-design-community-meeting-thursday-november-7

Please join the Somerville Department of Public Space and Urban Forestry, Ward 4 City Councilor Jesse Clingan, and the Somerville Public Schools on Thursday evening, November 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a community update on the layout and features for the new Healey Schoolyard. The meeting will be held in the Healey School cafeteria, 5 Meacham St.

To see the plans and sign up for future project updates at www.somervillema.gov/healeyschoolyard.

mem_winterhill

Foss Park Community Meetings coming up. Mayor, State Rep Connolly, Councilor McLaughlin are having 2 meetings coming up.

Via Ben Echevarria, who requests that we pack the rooms. Note the 2 dates and different locations.

Click on the image for the printable brochure/image to share elsewhere among your networks as well.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019

6:30 PM - 8 PM

HEALEY SCHOOL CAFETERIA

5 MEACHAM ST, SOMERVILLE,

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2019

6:30 PM - 8 PM

EAST SOMERVILLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA

20 CROSS ST

mem_winterhill

Some of you may be aware of the issues around the particulate pollution that we are exposed to, thanks to the traffic that goes through Somerville each day. I participated in the Tufts study a while back, and am glad to see that this knowledge is getting around.

WGBH has a 3 part series on this.

1. Car Pollution In Boston Area Neighborhoods Poses Health Risk To Residents, New Research Finds https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2019/09/22/car-pollution-in-boston-neighborhoods-poses-health-risk-to-residents-new-research-finds

2. Dangerous Air Pollution Is Getting Into Schools And Homes Near Highways, Research Shows https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2019/09/23/dangerous-air-pollution-is-getting-into-schools-and-homes-near-highways-research-shows

3.Communities Surrounding Logan Airport Exposed To Harmful Air Pollution, Research Finds https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2019/09/24/air-pollution-from-logan-airport-harms-surrounding-communities-research-shows

mem_winterhill

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/somerville-2019-candidate-climate-forum-tickets-73041602399

Hello Somerville! Are you feeling hot under the collar? Are you struggling to keep your head above water? Does climate change have you down?

Please join us at the Climate Coalition of Somerville’s Candidate Climate Forum and hear how the candidates plan to prepare for climate change. Moderated by Julia Taliesin of the Somerville Journal, community representatives will have a freewheeling conversation with the candidates about the challenges the city faces and the opportunities for the city to respond. All city council and mayoral candidates have been invited.

Saturday, October 5th, 11am - 1pm at the VNA Community Room, 259 Lowell St., Somerville. Doors open at 10:45. We will start promptly.

Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole interpretation will be provided.

Please RSVP on Eventbrite so we know how many chairs we need.

mem_winterhill

Stephanie Hirsch has alerted the neighbors to this survey. Please fill it out so we can influence the future design and use of this neighborhood greenspace asset.

Dear Healey School Friends and Neighbors,

The Healey Schoolyard design is moving forward but we need your input.

Can you take a few minutes to complete the survey through the links below or through the postcard version attached above? Thank you!

It is available in English, Haitian Creole, Spanish and Portuguese.

We are also providing QR codes which may make it easier to share and access. [sorry these don't paste here, see the image--Mary]

ENGLISH: Healey Schoolyard Community Survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5GVD9XR

HAITIAN CREOLE:

Ankèt Kominotè pou Lakou Lekol Healey a

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PH2JSVN

SPANISH:

Pesquisa sobre Pátio da Healey School:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XRDTNHS

PORTUGUESE:

Encuesta de la Comunidad Patio de la Escuela Healey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XMMFYJV

Please take the survey and share it with your friends and neighbors. We also distributing the postcard version at events around the neighborhood, and if you are going to the Healey School Open House Wednesday night, we will have some there.

If you are interested in reviewing the Healey Schoolyard project to date, or if you would to sign up for future project updates, please visit the Healey Schoolyard webpage at: https://www.somervillema.gov/healeyschoolyard.

Best regards,

Arn

Arn Franzen

Director of Parks and Open Space

Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning

& Community Development

mem_winterhill

Via the Resistat newsletter:

Come meet our design team and review possible features for the new schoolyard at the Healey School Yard Design

Meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Healey School Cafeteria.

More info in the City Calendar.
https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2019/07/09/healey-schoolyard-community-meeting

mem_winterhill

I'm sure many of the Winter Hillens will want to help out with the annual neighborhood cleanup this year again. Great turnout last year, and we got so much done.

Here is the city announcement, but we'll have more details as it gets closer. I think this time means the sign-in and breakfast, but the clean up itself will move to the neighborhoods and then run for a couple of more hours.

Put this on your calendar:

https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2019/05/04/annual-spring-clean-breakfast-part-sustainaville-week

Saturday, May 4, 2019 - 9:00am - 10:00am

LOCATION

Blessing of the Bay Boathouse

32 Shore Dr.

Somerville, MA 02145

Clean Up at locations throughout Somerville

Hosted: City of Somerville & Groundwork Somerville

mem_winterhill

Hey Hillens--

I've heard about these kinds of efforts, but hadn't seen one around here. I know there are running groups that do this, and it seemed like an interesting idea to combine some fitness and some community. Anyone interested in something like this? The link is broken but I'll try to get more info.

mem_winterhill

Healey Schoolyard Community Meeting, January 10

Please join the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development and Ward 4 Alderman Jesse Clingan for a community meeting on Thursday, January 10 to discuss design plans for the Healey Schoolyard. The meeting is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Healey School cafeteria at 5 Meacham St. For more information or with any questions about the project, please contact Arn Franzen at AFranzen@somervillema.gov.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.

Jackie Rossetti

Deputy Director of Communications

City of Somerville

617-625-6600 ext 2614

mem_winterhill

At our monthly meeting, we were made aware of 2 important upcoming meetings.

1. December 12: Foss Park meeting, supposed to have representatives from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). They currently control the park and any changes to it. It would be good to show them how serious we are about the community desires for Foss Park. East Somerville Community School. 6pm.

2. December 13: Healey School plan related discussion, 6-8pm. We are told it's the Friends of Healey running this one, discussion about some things that need to be fixed regarding the playground area. I don't have any other info about this meeting, I'm not involved.

mem_winterhill

Via Stephanie Hirsch:

There will be a community meeting about the future of Foss Park this Saturday (12/1), at 11 AM, at 50 Middlesex Ave in Assembly Square. The meeting is being organized by residents, stakeholders, and The Welcome Project, in conjunction with Aldermen Clingan, McLaughlin, and Hirsch. Other State delegation or BOA reps will likely attend as well. The goal is to prepare a list of community requests to share at a DCR/City-sponsored planning meeting that’ll be scheduled for mid-December.

Saturday’s meeting will include translation in Spanish and Portuguese, I believe. See here for the FB event, and please invite your neighbors and fellow stakeholders: https://www.facebook.com/events/294359467952711/

mem_winterhill

https://mysticriver.org/trees

Via Hannah Payne's Sustainaville Newsletter

The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is partnering with the City of Somerville to plant 100 trees in Somerville this year, with many to be planted in November. Volunteers are needed to help with this effort. MyRWA will supply all the tools and provide pizza afterwards. Learn more about the tree planting project here, and register for events below:

Wednesday, 11/14 |10am-1pm | Ten Hills | Register

Thursday, 11/15 | 1pm-4pm | Pennsylvania Ave | Register

Monday, 11/19 | 1pm-4pm | Foss Park | Register

mem_winterhill

Via DCR email press release:

SOMERVILLE – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will replace the multi-sports field and field lighting located at Foss Park in the City of Somerville. The $1.2 million project will include synthetic field turf installation, field drainage improvements, and field lighting and pathway upgrades and installation. Construction at the park will begin in the spring and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2019.

“The Baker-Polito Administration works incredibly hard to ensure that every region of the Commonwealth has great access to recreational resources,” said Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Leo Roy. “We are pleased to make critical investments to Foss Park in the City of Somerville, and once completed the multi-sports field will be a welcome community addition for the public to enjoy.”

Additionally, the DCR and the City of Somerville are currently coordinating a public meeting for later this year regarding future improvements to be made at Foss Park. The public will have an opportunity to provide input as these improvements are considered. Once a date has been finalized, a notice will be distributed informing the public of the meeting.

“I want to thank Governor Baker and DCR Commissioner Roy for recognizing the importance of this facility to Somerville and the Region through both the recent splash pad improvements and now this significant investment in the athletic field,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “Our community-based Fields Planning process identified the great importance of both renovating this field and replacing the noisy and polluting gas-fed lighting with proper and permanent sports lights. The Commonwealth’s commitment to providing a modern facility will allow this field to better meet the substantial demands of the local and regional community. We are also pleased that the DCR has agreed to hold a joint public meeting on this news as well as the overall future for the 14-acre park.”

“The DCR commitment to repair this field with an organic based permeable turf field will allow intensive use of this field. It will be accompanied by tree plantings, safer access, and environmental improvements to be designed at a public meeting planned by the city and DCR in December. It should be part of a comprehensive, collaborative, and community-based plan by the city and DCR for all the open space in the city. These parks are a legacy of investment by our predecessors, and we need to continue to preserve and add to our open space,” said Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville).

In 1951, the Metropolitan Parks Commission (MPC), the DCR’s predecessor agency, acquired the land that would become Foss Park from the City of Somerville. The land parcel was dedicated to WWI solider Saxton C. Foss in 1955 by the state legislature. Currently, Foss Park’s multi-sports field’s natural turf is in denigrated condition with drainage issues and dysfunctional light features. The Foss Park playing field improvement project is the latest example of the Baker-Polito Administration’s efforts to increase public access within the state park’s system. Last month, the Administration also announced a $1.2 million project to replace the football field and the existing track located at Lake Park in the City of Worcester.

“I am so pleased that DCR is making investments in Foss Park, the largest open space in Somerville and a critical green space in our community with many uses. Securing funding for Foss has been a significant priority for advocates, residents, and the Somerville delegation for several years, and I am looking forward to the upcoming community meeting to hear about residents' ideas for improvements to the entire park space, and discussions of further investments in Foss Park,” said Representative Christine Barber (D-Somerville).

“Foss Park is one of the most important recreational resources in our community, and the Commonwealth’s $1.2 million investment will help make this resource even more useful to the public,” said Representative Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge). “I am grateful to our legislative delegation for supporting this investment in the 26th Middlesex District, and I look forward to working with the City of Somerville, DCR, and local residents as we continue to refine the vision for the park.”

“Since DCR owns and controls most of the public parkland in Somerville, I will be delighted to see how final plans for the long overdue renovation of Foss Park reflect public input and meet community needs for green space,” said Representative Denise Provost (D-Somerville).

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Winter Hill Neighborhood Association forum

June 2023

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Page Summary

mem_winterhill - Update on Foss Park, Feb 2020
mem_winterhill - Progress on the Somerville Climate Forward plan
mem_winterhill - Gondola? Who asked for a gondola?
mem_winterhill - DCR Public Meeting - Draw Seven Park Renovation - Tuesday, February 25, 2020 (Snow Date: Thursday, F
mem_winterhill - Growing Center seed sale and fundraiser | orders due March 1 2020
mem_winterhill - A Porter Square documentary. Wicked short.
mem_winterhill - Draw 7 park plans seems to be moving forward
mem_winterhill - Healey Schoolyard Design Community Meeting Thursday, November 7
mem_winterhill - Foss Park Community Meetings | Oct 30 and Nov 13
mem_winterhill - Particulate pollution in Somerville, WGBH covers it
mem_winterhill - Somerville Candidates Climate Forum 2019 (sponsored by Climate Coalition | Somerville)
mem_winterhill - Healey Schoolyard Community Survey
mem_winterhill - Healey Schoolyard Design meeting, July 9
mem_winterhill - Annual Spring Clean Up & Breakfast (Part of SustainaVille Week) May 4 2019
mem_winterhill - Walking groups in neighborhoods. Anyone interested?
mem_winterhill - Healey School playground, city meeting Jan 10 2019
mem_winterhill - Important upcoming meetings: Foss Park, Healey School
mem_winterhill - Foss Park Community Meeting Saturday, 12/1/18, 11 AM
mem_winterhill - More tree planting in November 2018; sign up at link
mem_winterhill - Administration Announces $1.2 Million for Playing Field Improvement Project at Foss Park

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Winter Hill Neighborhood Association

Unofficial forum of Somerville Winter Hill Neighbors

Entries tagged with greenspace and parks

Update on Foss Park, Feb 2020

Progress on the Somerville Climate Forward plan

Gondola? Who asked for a gondola?

DCR Public Meeting - Draw Seven Park Renovation - Tuesday, February 25, 2020 (Snow Date: Thursday, F

Growing Center seed sale and fundraiser | orders due March 1 2020

A Porter Square documentary. Wicked short.

Draw 7 park plans seems to be moving forward

Healey Schoolyard Design Community Meeting Thursday, November 7

Foss Park Community Meetings | Oct 30 and Nov 13

Particulate pollution in Somerville, WGBH covers it

Somerville Candidates Climate Forum 2019 (sponsored by Climate Coalition | Somerville)

Healey Schoolyard Community Survey

Healey Schoolyard Design meeting, July 9

Annual Spring Clean Up & Breakfast (Part of SustainaVille Week) May 4 2019

Walking groups in neighborhoods. Anyone interested?

Healey School playground, city meeting Jan 10 2019

Important upcoming meetings: Foss Park, Healey School

Foss Park Community Meeting Saturday, 12/1/18, 11 AM

More tree planting in November 2018; sign up at link

Administration Announces $1.2 Million for Playing Field Improvement Project at Foss Park

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June 2023

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