FRANKLIN PARK COALITION

ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH THE FRANKLIN PARK COALITION HAVE WORKED HARD THIS YEAR TO REPRESENT PARK USERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND THE PARK ITSELF AS THE WHITE STADIUM RENOVATION PLAN EVOLVED. THROUGH DOZENS OF MEETINGS, WE HAVE CONTINUALLY RAISED CONCERNS AND QUESTIONED ASPECTS OF THE PLAN, WINNING MANY CHANGES. IT NOW HAS A SMALLER FOOTPRINT, AN EXPANSIVE TREE PLANTING PLAN, AND GUARANTEES FOR NOISE AND LIGHT MITIGATION. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AND A HOST OF IMPROVEMENTS ARE EMBEDDED IN THE LEASE SIGNED BETWEEN THE CITY AND BOSTON UNITY SOCCER PARTNERS. WE HAVE BEEN EXCITED TO SEE OUR ADVOCACY FOR OTHER PARK RENOVATION PROJECTS COME TO FRUITION: MAKING THE BEAR DENS SAFER; AN OVERLOOK RUINS PLANNING EFFORT; THE GLEN ROAD PATH RESURFACING; AND COMING SOON - A CIRCUIT DRIVE TRAFFIC CALMING INITIATIVE THAT WILL HELP KNIT THE TWO SIDES OF THE PARK TOGETHER WITH BETTER CROSSWALKS. OUR FOCUS REMAINS ROOTED IN THE FOLLOWING 3 AREAS 1.FRANKLIN PARK ACTION PLAN - FPC WORKS CLOSELY WITH CITY OFFICIALS TO MOVE THE FRANKLIN PARK ACTION PLAN FORWARD; FPC MEETS REGULARLY WITH CITY OFFICIALS TO HELP INFORM AND ADVISE OF COMMUNITY PRIORITIES IN THE EXECUTION OF THE MASTER PLAN; PROVIDE AS MUCH FEEDBACK TO PARK USERS AS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY. 2.TRUST FUND MAINTENANCE - AFTER GETTING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON THE COMMUNITIES MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS MAYOR MICHELLE WU'S ADMINISTRATION SIGNIFICANTLY BOOSTED FRANKLIN PARK'S MAINTENANCE BY HIRING DEDICATED FULL-TIME STAFF AND CREWS, PART OF A MAJOR INVESTMENT PLAN INCLUDING A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LUIS PEREZ DEMORIZI, TO ENHANCE UPKEEP AND RESTORE THE PARK, ADDRESSING LONG-STANDING NEEDS AND COMMUNITY CALLS FOR BETTER RESOURCES IN BOSTON'S LARGEST PARK. 3.TRUST FUND PROGRAMMING - IN ADDITION FPC IS COMMITTED TO PARK PROGRAMMING; PRODUCING AND SPONSORING PROGRAMMING THAT IS OPEN AND FREE TO THE PUBLIC INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ELMA LEWIS PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK (7 SHOWS) - ORGANIZING THE ANNUAL SPRING KITE & BIKE FESTIVAL, 2 WINTER FESTIVALS, ELMA LEWIS JAZZ FESTIVAL, BOSTON'S LARGEST TURKEY TROT (2500 PARTICIPANTS), SPONSORING 15 NATURE WALKS, ART IN THE PARK PROGRAMS AS WELL AS HEALTH AND WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES.