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Top 10 Boston Parks moments of 2022

Join us as we count down Boston Parks and Recreation's “Top 10 Moments” of 2022.

Join us as we count down our "Top 10 Moments" of 2022 and reflect on some of our proudest moments as a department and as a community. 

#10: THE MAYOR’S MURAL CREW STRENGTHENED THE VISUAL LANDSCAPE OF OUR PARKS.
Parks top ten of 2022. King Tut mural on brick wall.

 

Throughout the year and across the city the Mayor’s Mural Crew continues to impress. Using anything from wood to moss to paint, the creativity never ceases to amaze.

Learn more about what they have been up to here: Mayor's Mural Crew

#9: OUR IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL FITNESS SERIES HELPED US TO STAY HEALTHY.

parks top ten of 2022. Groups and individuals in various fitness poses.

The Boston Parks Fitness Series offers free fitness programming in person in Boston  parks and in virtual classes led by certified fitness instructors. Everyone is welcome at our free classes, regardless of your fitness level. This initiative is a partnership between the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Public Health Commission. It's sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

Free Winter, Summer, and Fall Fitness Classes kept more than 5,500 Bostonians moving during 576 hours of free virtual and in person classes including boot camps, chair yoga, line dancing, barre, HIIT, Yoga, Family fitness, Afrobeats Bootcamp, Tai Chi and Salsa.

The Boston Parks Winter Fitness Series schedule is live. Starting January 8, there will be a virtual class every day of the week and several weekly and pop up in-person classes in Community Centers around Boston. The first class is Chair Yoga on January 4 at the Veronica Smith Senior Center at 9 AM. You can find the full schedule and sign up links at Boston.gov/fitness.

#8: THE ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL CARES FOR OUR FURRY AND FEATHERED FRIENDS.

Parks Top Ten of 2022 #8 Animal care and control cares for our furry and feathered friends. A cat looking at the camera.

The Animal Care and Control division offers low-cost pet wellness care. They enforce legal ordinances and laws governing animals.

This year, we were funded $5 million to begin designing a new animal shelter. We have been assigned a project manager from the Public Facilities Department and are in the process of selecting a designer.

Want to lend a hand in the season of giving?

Donate here: bit.ly/help-boston-pets

Foster an animal here: boston.gov/pet-foster

Adopt an animal here: bit.ly/BostonPetAdopt

#7: OUR GOLF COURSES OFFER CHALLENGING GOLF COURSES IN A BEAUTIFUL NATURAL SETTING.

Parks top ten of 2022 #7 Our Golf courses offer challenging golf courses in a beautiful natural setting

The City owns and operates the William J. Devine Golf Course in Dorchester and the George Wright Golf Course in Hyde Park designed by Donald Ross. 

Both courses have received national accolades as must-play courses when golfing in the Boston area. These affordable courses were open and available to all! 

For more information on our golf courses or to pick up a last minute Christmas gift for the golfer in your life visit: www.cityofbostongolf.com/

#6: HIKE BOSTON BROUGHT INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMMING BACK TO BOSTON’S WILDS.

parks top ten of 2022 #6 Hike Boston brought interpretive programming back to Boston's wilds. People hiking in the woods. A park ranger and a horse.

The Boston Parks Department in collaboration with the Park Rangers and Urban Wilds divisions launched Hike Boston. Rangers and employees led groups of eager hikers through the urban wilds and parks of Boston. These short hikes were a fantastic opportunity for folks to enjoy Boston’s Urban Wilds and learn more about our parks and the role of a ranger.

Interpretive Programming is one of the Park Rangers three primary areas of responsibility and we were ecstatic to bring these scheduled programs back to the people of Boston. 

For more information on our Park Rangers visit: bit.ly/BostonParkRangers

For more information on upcoming hikes visit Boston.gov/Hike-Boston

#5: MAINTENANCE WORKED HARD TO KEEP OUR PARKS SAFE AND CLEAN.
Parks top ten #5 Maintenance worked to keep our parks save and clean. Grid. Cemetery worker. Horticulture planting. Trades worker painting bench. Group of workers with mayor and parks commisioner.

While maintaining and cleaning our parks they also addressed thousands of 311 calls and service requests.

Thank you to the hard working men and women of cemeteries, maintenance, horticulture, trees, and trades for keeping our parks and properties looking great. Keep up the good work!

#4: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION BROKE GROUND AND CUT RIBBONS.
Parks Top Ten of 2022 #4 Design and construction broke ground and cut ribbons. Grid. groups of people at sign unveilings, digging ground to break earth and cutting ribbon at park openings.

We celebrated quite a few projects completed this year along with more than a dozen projects in the construction phase. Looking ahead we have quite a few designs complete and in progress. 

To highlight just one of our many projects, check out McConnell Playground in Dorchester. The comprehensive park renovation included the play lot, fields, passive spaces, parking, utility improvements, and improved access after utilizing a $5.5 million budget. Check out the video of the McConnell Park Ribbon Cutting here: https://www.cityofboston.gov/cable/video_library.asp?id=50058

To see all of our Design and Construction projects going on throughout the city visit https://bit.ly/BPRDProjectMap.

#3: A GOAL WITHOUT A PLAN IS JUST A WISH - PLANS ALL ACROSS THE CITY.
Parks top ten of 2022 #3 A goal without a plan is just a wish - plans all across the city. Grid - Mayor Michelle Wu at 2 announcements and an artist rendering of a redesigned park.

City of Boston asked the public to share priorities for Boston Common—selecting high-priority projects related to accessibility, recreational opportunities, landscape improvements, historic interpretation, restrooms, and food options. https://www.boston.gov/news/boston-common-master-plan-released

Working with the Franklin Park Coalition and in close collaboration with the local community, the City of Boston has created a strategic vision for the future of Franklin Park. The Action Plan provides a roadmap for investment in Franklin Park to restore landscape cohesion, support uses desired by park users, and keep the park accessible and welcoming to its neighbors.  Comment by 2/10/2022 at https://franklinparkactionplan.com/

Boston's Urban Forest Plan, launched 9/21/2022, is a manual for how the Boston community can work together to prioritize, preserve, and grow our tree canopy. boston.gov/urban-forest-plan

Investments into the future of Moakley Park are ongoing to ensure this park is climate ready.  https://www.boston.gov/parks/moakley-park

#2: THE RECREATION DIVISION BROUGHT YOUTH ATHLETIC PROGRAMS ACROSS BOSTON.
Parks top ten of 2022 #2 The recreation division brought youth athletic programs across Boston. Grid - Kid golfing, pickleballers gathered on a court, and kids playing baseball

Our recreation division had another very busy year. 2022 Summer Programs include Willie O'Ree Street Hockey Clinics, Boston Baseball League (BCBL), Women's and Men's Adult Basketball League, Boston Neighborhood Basketball League (BNBL), Men's Softball Leagues, Tenacity, Mayor's Cup Tennis, Boston Neighborhood Soccer League, Football Jamboree, Mayor's Cup Softball, Mayor's Cup Baseball, Mayor's Cup Street Hockey, Mayor's Cup Ice Hockey, Mayor’s Cup Pickleball Tournament and Junior Golf Lessons.

Summer Sport Centers were conducted at East Boston Stadium, Garvey Park in Dorchester, Hunt/Almont in Mattapan, M Street Park in South Boston and White Stadium at Franklin Park where 15,050 kids were able to safely participate in activities such as archery, obstacle courses, sports clinics, fitness classes, arts n crafts and more.

The first annual adult pickleball tournament was hosted for an opportunity to win the Mayor's Cup Championship for pickleball. The All Girls Sports and Wellness Festival was brought back and revitalized.

#1: WE WERE ENTERTAINED AT PARKS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS.
Parks top ten of 2022 #1 We were entertained at parks programs and events. Grid - Neighborhood concert in a park, movie night, puppet show, and the Christmas tree being lit.

We are proud to have served more than an estimated 40,000 people through our programming. Our Summer Concert Series and Movie Nights entertained thousands across the city. Watercolor workshops and arts and crafts workshops helped kids express themselves and appreciate our parks.

Pics in the Parks virtual programs allowed folks to explore the parks and improve their photography skills. Children's festivals drew large attendance with high acclaim. The Parks Department's holiday tree lightings kicked off the holiday season with spirited celebrations.

Our permitting division issued a large number of permits for events and sports programs in our parks throughout the city.

2022 was a good year and we are looking forward to what 2023 brings!

Parks top ten of 2022 grid. Concert in a park, painting of King Tut, and Martins Park lit up with lights. Black and white cat, golf course on a sunny day, and kids playing baseball. Park ranger and a horse, families cutting a ribbon in a park, and a worker painting a bench.

2022 was a fantastic year for the Boston Parks Department. We know 2023 will be even better!

From everyone here at the Parks Department, we wish you a happy & safe New Year. We will work hard to bring you even more great events, programming & park improvements in 2023!

 To stay up-to-date on all of our work, sign up for our newsletter: Boston.gov/Parks



 
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