06.14.2024

Today’s Forecast

83º | 70% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:07  a.m. | Sunset 8:23 p.m.

🌳 The jewel of Boston

The Emerald Necklace: Explore some of the most historic parks in the US

Bostonians walk + run along a waterway in the Emerald Necklace

If you walked from Boston Common to Franklin Park, it’d be a seven-mile trek. | Photo by Merrill Shea, courtesy of Emerald Necklace Conservancy

What’s better than one park? Nine parks linked by parkways and waterways. Today, we’re diving into the history + details of Boston’s Emerald Necklace.

History

The system of parks was designed by landscaping legend Frederick Law Olmsted. Fresh off the success of New York City’s Central Park, Olmsted was hired by Boston in the 1870s to design not just one park, but a whole system of parks. Decades later, Olmsted’s vision of a “green ribbon” was completed in 1895.

In 1998, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy was established. The nonprofit serves as a steward to the parks, in addition to offering programming like Party in the Park and educational services.

Meet the necklace

Boston Common | Founded in 1634, this historic site is the oldest city park in the US.

Public Garden | The first public botanical garden in the US, this Victorian-style oasis now provides a verdant spot for Bostonians to unwind.

Commonwealth Avenue Mall | This roadway was designed by Arthur Gilman in the French boulevard style.

Back Bay Fens | The headquarters of the conservancy, and also the location of the oldest remaining wartime “Victory Garden.”

Forsyth Park | This park features a statue of John Endecott, the longest-serving governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

A person sets a volleyball over a net at Franklin Park in the Emerald Necklace — Volleyball is just one of the activities you can do at Franklin Park.
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Photo by Will Serber, courtesy of Emerald Necklace Conservancy

The Riverway | This natural-looking park along the Muddy River is known for its beautiful bridges.

Olmsted Park | Come for the athletic fields, wildflower meadow, and hiking + biking trails.

Jamaica Pond | Whether you’re looking to boat, sail, fish, or stroll along the pond, there’s something for everyone.

Arborway | This historic parkway runs from Circuit Drive at Forest Hills to Eliot Street by Jamaica Pond.

Arnold Arboretum | A key link in the park system, this botanical research institution is also a free public park.

Franklin Park | Boston’s largest open space connects five neighborhoods and is considered our “country park.”

Asked

Pop quiz: Where did Frederick Law Olmsted set up his MA office?

A. Brookline
B. Boston
C. Cambridge
D. Olmsted Park

It's a walk in the park

Events

Friday, June 14

South Boston Liaison Coffee Hours | Friday, June 14 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Caffe Nero 368 Congress St., Boston | Free entry | Connect with neighborhood liaison Lydia Polaski to voice your concerns + connect with City departments.

Saturday, June 15

Summer Solstice Celebration | Saturday, June 15 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Rose Kennedy Greenway, Hanover Street and John F. Fitzgerald Surface Road, Boston | Free | Join the Soma community for a special outdoor yoga event with a soulful practice to the beats of a live DJ.
“Destiny Doorways: Creating the Doors We Walk Through” | Saturday, June 15 | 12-4 p.m. | Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston | Free with admission | Enter a bright, colorful, nature-inspired space in this installation by Boston artist Mithsuca Berry.

Sunday, June 16

How Did This Get Made? | Sunday, June 16 | 7 p.m. | Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston | $57-$97 | Join this live recording of the hit podcast about the worst of cinema with actors Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael.

Monday, June 17

Juneteenth Brunch and Flag Raising | Monday, June 17 | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | City Hall Plaza, Boston | Free | The City of Boston will come together to officially observe this important holiday.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

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News Notes

Development

A shopping center in Chestnut Hill is expanding. Plans for The Street include adding 90,000 sqft and 25 new stores. Mejuri and Todd Snyder will join tenants like Reformation + Skin Laundry. (Boston Business Journal)

Coming Soon

Gilman Park, a new public space, opens on Saturday, June 15 at 350 Medford St., Somerville (near the library). On Saturdays there will be a beer garden + vintage markets from 1 to 8 p.m.

Number

$1.5 billion. That’s the budget the Boston City Council passed for Boston Public Schools. Though some voiced concerns about issues like inequity + declining enrollment, others found promise in the Green New Deal’s ~$2 billion investment in school renovations. (Boston Globe)

Playoffs

Will the Celtics go 4-0 tonight? We’ll find out if they can clinch an NBA-record 18th championship. Tip off for Game 4 is at 8:30 p.m. Find a sports bar to watch the game.

Eat

The Friendly Toast — an all-day brunch + bar spot — has gone completely peanut- and tree nut-free. Visit one of its seven locations across the state.

Cause

Looking to adopt a dog? MSPCA-Angell just took in 60 boxers aged puppies to seniors. They won’t be available for adoption right away, but keep an eye on its adoption page. (Boston.com)

Ranked

Boston is the second happiest city in the US, according to the Happy City Index. The city (supposedly) happier than ours? Minneapolis. (Boston.com)

Try This

Want to learn more about our city’s history? Check out Revolutionary Spaces’ new “Slavery and Resistance in Colonial Massachusetts” walking tour, a 60-minute journey through the Old South Meeting House + Old State House that tells the stories of enslaved people in colonial Massachusetts.*

Finance

Expert tip: During economic times like these, balance transfers can really make a difference. By simply transferring your existing credit card balances to this card, you’ll give yourself 18 months to pay it off — without interest. (Bonus: Earn 2% cash back on everyday purchases while you’re at it.)*

Wellness

Imagine caffeine-free energy with no jitters, no crash, and no impact on sleep — plus reduced hunger and cravings. Explore MTE energy drink + get 22% off with code MI22.*

The Buy

Do you have a bourbon lover in your life? Gift this Box Of Bourbon from Adams Apple Co. for National Bourbon day. The set includes a marinade and grilling sauce, made ready for a barbecue.

Answered

What is the best way to cool off in the summer?

Recently, we asked you which you prefer — pool or spray deck? Here’s what you said:

73% preferred a day at the pool
27% voted for spray deck

Children in orange T-shirts running in spray pool — Bring the kiddos to this local wading pool.
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Photo by Jon Seamans via Boston Parks and Recreation Department

This reminds us — The Boston Common Frog Pond Spray Pool reopens on Tuesday, June 25. Kick off the summer with a free party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be activities, treats, and a visit from Frog Pond Freddie.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jessalin

From the editor

Alright, Boston. This is my last newsletter here for a while. Be nice to Jess and go C’s.

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