Expanding the City’s Network of Publicly Accessible Spaces
Boston’s Framework for Greening While Growing aims to expand the City’s network of public spaces, foster better connections, and fill the gaps in the City’s existing open space network. This process will analyze public open space and planned development of Privately Owned Open Space (POPS). The City’s growth projections and Boston Design Vision findings will inform this study.
This plan will support the growth and creation of high-quality open spaces that are inclusive, equitable, resilient, and accessible.
The end result will be an open space network that holistically serves all of Boston’s residents.
Process
This is anticipated to be an 18-month planning process, more details coming soon.
Creating the vision involves:
Listening to understand community needs
Through broad outreach, focus groups, and conversations with stakeholders.
Learning from past planning efforts in Boston and looking to other cities for examples of success
Review of previous planning efforts related to open space planning in Boston, as well as an understanding of best practices, processes, and tools other cities have used to create equitable access to open space.
Creating the Vision for expanding Boston’s network of open spaces
Establish a shared vision, goals, and priorities for the expansion of Boston’s open spaces. Analysis of the existing open spaces will identify gaps and guide where priority investments should be made. A toolkit will be developed to inform the character, experience, quality, activities, and elements for investments in new open spaces.
Impact
This work will directly inform the approaches to the development of new open spaces, identify priority projects, short-term actions, partnerships, and potential considerations for funding, operations, and maintenance.
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Additional Resources and Related Planning Efforts
Upcoming Events
Viva La Vida Festival - Dia de Muertos Celebration
November 3, 2024 | 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Central Sq Park (Liberty Place) St, East Boston
Join us at Viva La Vida Festival - Dia de Muertos Celebration for a Greening While Growing Popup Event! Planning staff will share the Greening While Growing project and engage attendees in activities about their experiences in open spaces. The information gathered will help us better understand how we might fill in the city's open space network to expand access to privately owned spaces.
Monthly Free Bike Repair
November 6, 2024 | 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM | 1350 Blue Hill Avenue
Join us at the Monthly Free Bike Repair at BPL Mattapan for a Greening While Growing Popup Event! Planning staff will share the Greening While Growing project and engage attendees in activities about their experiences in open spaces. The information gathered will help us better understand how we might fill in the city's open space network to expand access to privately owned spaces.
Harboring Creativity East Boston
November 16, 2024 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Join us at the Harboring Creativity for a Greening While Growing Popup Event! Planning staff will share the Greening While Growing project and engage attendees in activities about their experiences in open spaces. The information gathered will help us better understand how we might fill in the city's open space network to expand access to privately owned spaces.
Past Events
Allston Brighton Open Streets
October 20, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join us at Allston Brighton Open Streets for a Greening While Growing Popup Event! Planning staff will share the Greening While Growing project and engage attendees in activities about their experiences in open spaces. The information gathered will help us better understand how we might fill in the city's open space network to expand access to privately owned spaces.