Rose Kennedy Greenway
Chinatown Park
The Rose Kennedy Greenway creates abundant opportunities that add vibrancy to the city and that when completed, will be the crown jewel of Boston and will be an important open space resource for generations to come. The building of the Greenway is an historic accomplishment.
Our role
A Better City has collaborated with many public and non-profit partners over the past 17 years to develop the design and programming principles for Dewey Square, Chinatown, the North Area around North Station, and the central area of the Downtown Corridor - called the Wharf District. Throughout, we have worked towards activating the Greenway while successfully linking neighborhoods previously disconnected by the elevated Central Artery.
A Better City also conducted a series of "Edges Studies" along the Greenway corridor that explored the potential of the public and private spaces adjacent to the Greenway. The goal of this work was to help enable complementary uses and retail opportunities in adjacent spaces, activate the surrounding urban fabric, and provide a threshold to the Greenway using premium urban design techniques.
Our Greenway Abutters Committee, co-chaired by Bud Ris of the New England Aquarium and Peter Shields of the Fallon Company, was set up to partner with the Greenway Conservancy and other interested parties in planning for activities in the new open spaces. The group also monitors and evaluates plans for the open spaces and civic projects being developed.
What's New
The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy celebrated their official opening of the parks with a tremendous public celebration on October 4. Visit the Conservancy website for photos of the events.
Bud Ris of the New England Aquarium continues to chair our Greenway Abutters to
discuss the progress of maintenance and operations plans for the Greenway. The Conservancy, Mass Turnpike Authority and City of Boston have worked together to release a comprehensive snow removal and winter care plan for the open spaces, and abutters have been taking great care to assist in the snow removal on their own properties adjacent to the Greenway.
ABC also worked with the Turnpike Authority and the Greenway Conservancy to be ready to maintain and operate the parks this spring. MassHort planted
and maintained garden beds on the parcels around Dewey Square, and the Conservancy is planning interim activities on these parcels while the BRA begins the public process to determine their long term use.
In August of 2008, the Governor signed into immediate effect the legislation proposed by Speaker Sal DiMasi to establish the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy as the entity responsible for maintaining and programming the Greenway following a transition of responsibility from the MTA. The legislation provides additional financial resources from both the MTA and a yearly appropriation from the legislature and it establishes a committee structure and method for appointing committee and board members. .
A Better City has long advocated for a single purpose entity to be responsible for the maintenance, operations and programming of the Greenway, as expressed in our broad letter of support for the speedy passage of the legislation.
Finally, ABC has commenced conducting and publishing report cards on the quality and status of the Greenway maintenance for 2009.
Additional Resources
Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority - Greenway
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Halvorson Design Partnership vision plan for parcels 19, 21, 22 - October 2006