Photo courtesy of Chris Rucinski of Hills3Studio
By Rachel Lake
The Greenway Conservancy is thrilled to announce the completion of the first round of park renovations on The Greenway in Chinatown. These upgrades are focused on safety and community use and were informed by community feedback and input, as well as by recommendations of the Conservancy’s Chin Park Lighting Study, funded and supported by the Greenway Business Improvement District.
In April, at the request of the community, the Conservancy removed five granite structures in Mary Soo Hoo Park on The Greenway. A concrete surface was poured in their place and the park was reopened to the public. The removal of these granite structures, which did not provide positive use for the community, allows the Conservancy and the community to reimagine the use of this space. When public health conditions and budget allow, the Conservancy looks forward to piloting new fitness and play infrastructure, creating a unique space on The Greenway for families and visitors to discover.
In May, the Conservancy removed 5-year old safety tiles from underneath the Greenway PlayCubes in Auntie Kay & Uncle Frank Chin Park on The Greenway. A new, colorful, continuous surface was poured in their place and the park was reopened to the public. This new surface creates a safer play area while adding a playful pop of color to the Chin Park plaza. Thank you to all of our partners and community members that made this possible and came out to watch this exciting upgrade. We invite families and children of all ages to enjoy our renovated PlayCubes, the only one of its kind on The Greenway.
These exciting new park improvements are focused on community input and feedback around safety, park use, activation, and aesthetics, and will further enhance The Greenway as a welcoming public park. Park upgrades are supported in part by the City of Boston Community Preservation Act Fund, Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, and George B. Henderson Foundation. We want to especially recognize the Greenway Business Improvement District (BID), which has contributed a significant amount of its capital repair spending to focus on renovations and upgrades in Chin Park. The Greenway BID, comprised of abutting businesses along The Greenway, provides reliable funding to the Conservancy as well as additional enhancements funds that support transformative projects throughout The Greenway. We look forward to celebrating the role of the Greenway BID and all our partners when we are able to safely gather later this year.
As the temperatures warm and summer season opens in Boston, we invite residents and visitors to rediscover The Greenway; to unwind in our organically maintained gardens, experience our contemporary Public Art Program, and reconnect with the community.
To learn more about The Greenway and work of the Greenway Conservancy, check out our website at rosekennedygreenway.org. Please feel free to reach out with any questions and concerns to info@rosekennedygreenway.org.
Rachel Lake is the Marketing and Community Affairs Manager at the Greenway Conservancy.
