[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6233857,"mediaKeyId","3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117","parentId",3413722,"title","Friends of the Public Garden urges funding for tool shed, permanent restroom and downtown park administration","audioSeconds",217,"startMs",1731000,"endMs",1948000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117&start=1731&end=1948","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117/thumbnail_1731000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233857/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Friends-of-the-Public-Garden-urges-funding-for-tool-shed-permanent-restroom-and-downtown-park-administration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233857-df24300833d96a85072cb256c9dc9f5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150778&Signature=Pz6mLum5nHJTZ1FPAdS1pIE0zu5L8zL9HyXVpuhKBVdl-E42rfP-sq3AeC52dvHg7l2rpfQ4pjAV3txBJANFiJjmF-WrVuqlFSBNSKEg9E4FU1QX3AJ8hjV3P0alxtttpacl2mqLLvvWojtVXh8-vdKRBBGrL2K9AFJEFHoQIlrr7Qw8PNlb4EFid0vEGCOqusLpvvJYHtbn3-Jw3bkJImjX4Az4Hy~eFbAMX45cZi23mgcSIvhKXu-Xljm8-mjy-Tv6-ySpebsujrVW7dJV-Maz6wELtIQAAHtPHCNf9X5qFW8zulO4-i5PbQUGvScfmDdLJujY9TtInFfJWOScpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boston City, MA","date","2025-05-21T05:01:06.43Z","article","Rebecca Mckiewicz, director of capital projects and parks care for the Friends of the Public Garden, told the council the organization supports recent downtown investments but stressed several urgent capital needs for heavily used downtown parks.

Mckiewicz said the historic tool shed in the Public Garden remains in severe disrepair; design work is complete but construction has stalled and needs prioritization and dedicated project management within city departments. The Friends also highlighted temporary restrooms on the Boston Common that the Friends have supported with private funds — the Friends reported spending $1.5 million on the temporary restroom trailer since 2018 and said seasonal restroom funding in the city budget is now exhausted. The Friends noted the city included $100,000 in the next year’s budget but asked the council to prioritize a permanent restroom consistent with the Boston Common Master Plan.

The Friends urged the council to create a downtown parks administrator position identified in the Boston Common Master Plan to coordinate activation, management and maintenance across agencies and institutions that share responsibility for downtown spaces. The group also asked for a permanent allocation equal to 1% of the city’s annual capital and operating budget to support Boston’s public park system and make parks more climate resilient and accessible.

Department staff acknowledged the projects identified are priorities but said implementation depends on staffing, design resources and capital sequencing; the Friends offered to provide project management assistance subject to the commissioner’s concurrence. No formal action was taken at the hearing; the requests were presented as part of public testimony and will require budget or council follow‑up to secure implementation funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ways & Means FY26 Budget: Parks & Recreation, Parkman Fund on May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Friends of the Public Garden told the City Council Ways and Means committee the organization needs city prioritization and funding to rebuild the historic tool shed, construct a permanent restroom on the Boston Common and consider a downtown parks administrator.","taxTitle","Boston City, Suffolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",3381,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233861,"Community coalition asks city for $50,000 technical assessment of Jamaica Pond and Olmsted Park maintenance",402,1268000,1670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117&start=1268&end=1670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117/thumbnail_1268000.jpg","/articles/6233861/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Community-coalition-asks-city-for-50000-technical-assessment-of-Jamaica-Pond-and-Olmsted-Park-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233861-d4957c0e8fe789a66b2733b46fa26088/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150778&Signature=FqHCV3kpfUdpNuCtF9SyY1-ok2HQ~lqdGSJZAMx2X0y6Y3OYQ6JcLPaXC-S-3IL5BcSJloGTq-xb5QARryW2nLNa1egAjLYKicQXFOqtCfylh7pojcdnfbyTMfwWu1WJ2NhGVE45-DxPq8Zkf6ApGLNvbyiFpbl~KPtWlR0Aa8z-pXoBNRWamWSGwxiEsOA9PTlUxSmhBeMMRXQ2Z5BduejhZpCp6NX-AjQQ2~SWUIuLb5b-u8zbSll6MEuV4O-plcEiLM-1~iX6jca58FXDJXXG-1ki3VUPIZnD3YZtftwRrNcA3enmpLcD61ce5mcma~4XIFEwakfBx85j5K5P3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Jamaica Pond Association, Friends of Jamaica Ponds and the Jamaica Neighborhood Council told the Ways and Means committee on May 20 that maintenance needs around Jamaica Pond and Olmsted Park require a technical assessment and a funded action plan.

Mark Freudenberger, speaking for a coordinated coalition, requested a supplemental allocation of about $50,000 to cover a comprehensive technical assessment of heavily used areas surrounding Jamaica Pond and Olmsted Park. The coalition asked the city to use the assessment to produce a prioritized plan and budget that would address erosion along pathways and embankments (which contributes to sedimentation in Jamaica Pond, Ward’s Pond and Leverett Pond), invasive plant spread (including Japanese knotweed), aging tree canopy decline and proliferation of informal trails that damage vegetation.

June, a resident and staff member at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, reinforced the erosion and waterway concerns and raised a related public‑health note: the Massachusetts Department of Public Health fish‑consumption advisory currently limits Jamaica Pond trout consumption to one trout or fish per month because of PFAS contamination. She urged the city to incorporate waterway and watershed concerns in any maintenance plan.

Speakers said the proposed technical assessment could be completed by either an outside consultant or an interdepartmental internal team and framed it as foundational to future capital or operational requests. Department staff present acknowledged the maintenance issues and said planning work would depend on staffing availability and how quickly design and construction teams could be prioritized within the FY26 workload. No committee vote was taken; the request was made as supplemental public testimony and will require follow‑up by council and department staff for budgetary consideration.

The coalition’s request is narrowly scoped to an assessment and action plan rather than immediate capital work; speakers emphasized the assessment would inform funding requests and partnerships to address short‑ and long‑term maintenance needs.","Representatives of Jamaica Pond advocacy groups urged the council to fund a roughly $50,000 technical needs assessment to address erosion, invasive species, tree canopy decline and informal paths that are causing sedimentation and stress to Jamaica Pond and nearby Olmsted Park.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233865,"Boston Parks and Recreation lays out FY26 priorities, cites staffing gains and phased capital work",986,242000,1228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117&start=242&end=1228","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117/thumbnail_242000.jpg","/articles/6233865/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Boston-Parks-and-Recreation-lays-out-FY26-priorities-cites-staffing-gains-and-phased-capital-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233865-669b2ee3fed7218226cd0c8b9a0a7b62/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150778&Signature=SwDsABpO1eUVF5BEq6hIRqn2qF-3rs1CCBg69wLA30voN1jBfxCXd8aYBneuJ314XbnT-fJf2NQ0srqVQbKYBegzEu692~mRKGBywNh2TshHTwCvbyHk66QnnXkVsvSXvu~PyGelivrfeUc9IYjfMmBoy8tPjyfqT7yL3kGFNMjuzlARDG38tu7XusErQ-f~Z0W6JtbsH6DyP4nPdJWX7uOmUFYFudk~~C3GOIe1jqItEooWDHFdsF36uHibiUoGP4~0bevC4BZJfKNzSUB5nRatRohCn3e10pS1-tPzL4ivxWXb2fEbwyNehhW~8uDHADSRzTYucD13hxSTR~oqoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boston Parks and Recreation’s interim leadership presented an overview of the department’s FY26 priorities and recent accomplishments to the Boston City Council Committee on Ways and Means on May 20, 2025. The presentation emphasized increased staffing in design and construction, ongoing waterfront resiliency projects and multiple playground and tree-planting initiatives.

The department said staff increases have removed a previous “choke point” in project delivery and that design and construction teams are now fully staffed. The parks presentation, led by Brian Sweatt (chief climate officer and interim commissioner of Parks and Recreation), itemized recent capital work and pipeline projects and stressed the department will continue to seek state, federal and philanthropic funding to supplement the city budget.

Department leaders described several near-term construction priorities and the funding streams that support them. Kathy Baker Cliffs, director of the capital plan, said construction is planned or beginning this year on Ringer Playground (Allston), Billings Field (West Roxbury), McKinney Playground (Brighton), Mary Ellen Welch Greenway (East Boston) and continued work at Copley Square and Ryan Playground (Charlestown), the latter a waterfront resiliency project funded by multiple capital streams. Walsh Playground in Dorchester is wrapping up construction, and Franklin Park improvements (including Shattuck Tennis Court expansion and Circuit Drive safety and drainage work) were highlighted as multi‑year priorities.

The department provided program and operations figures: about 30,000 residents participated in city parks programming during the prior fiscal year; event permits rose nearly 25% to more than 5,000; municipal golf courses exceeded 100,000 rounds; parks staff planted roughly 2,000 trees in 2024 and were on track to plant 1,200 street trees in spring planting season; the parks ranger program expanded interpretive programming; and more than 100 seasonal workers are hired every spring to support summer operations.

Council members pressed the administration on maintenance backlogs, ball‑field irrigation problems, court repairs and timelines for specific projects such as Ringer Playground (tied to state park grant deadlines) and work at Rogers Park. Department officials said design and permitting remain the main gating items for many projects; several workstreams were tied to grant schedules or to external permitting (for example, projects touching waterways require coordination with other agencies). Officials said they would update council offices with permitting timelines as they move to bid.

Councilors also raised winter maintenance performance, citywide restoration of retaining walls, and coordination with other city departments for streets and stormwater work that affect park conditions. Department leaders said staffing gains improve capacity but acknowledged a backlog of projects remains and that many projects are staged to start only when they can be finished quickly to serve heavy summer visitation.

The hearing included public testimony and detailed follow‑up questions from councilors about neighborhood park conditions, capital timelines and maintenance issues.

Looking ahead, department leaders said FY26 will focus on waterfront resiliency and neighborhood park quality while pursuing outside funding to complete backlog projects. No formal votes or budget decisions were taken at the hearing; the briefing served as the department’s FY26 budget presentation and a request for council oversight and follow-up on timing and maintenance needs.","Interim Parks and Recreation leaders told the City Council Committee on Ways and Means that the department is increasingly staffed and focused on waterfront resiliency, Franklin Park work and advanced design for several playground projects, but emphasized many projects remain subject to outside funding and permitting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233846,"Parks leaders outline short‑term HVAC repairs at Boston Animal Shelter and longer‑term search for a purpose‑built facility",4657,699000,5356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117&start=699&end=5356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117/thumbnail_699000.jpg","/articles/6233846/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Parks-leaders-outline-shortterm-HVAC-repairs-at-Boston-Animal-Shelter-and-longerterm-search-for-a-purposebuilt-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233846-0293555d803e5757c443a3c3e3f87ffc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150778&Signature=U7Z7EgbTkN5Gz564BpJEQtEOMedy43Fx5FF1z-ZY0EGk-geVpd9dWttZSg-MXDSHlGsreij2JHaRJl1o7OzaH8jM36naVRBzgdnxTagjKpzfr7CefZm8y8HhEcnDIZn3P1NrDdrHrqAfo2VnYUJvlCRf5Wn3ff7pknnEIrtBXfieJsri8d5Dt~OmOySzGaXHY9HSDxqUXjgD-eoeeA1CpCTbFzqPguL~k1mPETztAivfU9d3SzFeS9KiHiLBw7lDr0SMyiOiUFXw5XMMNtHNhxW6JlCtUV7a3i79eqJsniOgd17s-un85Ewg5LSTvcUdxH5a0nbf-EsGcxbtoOtuhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials said an HVAC project to improve conditions at the Boston Animal Shelter will proceed as a near‑term fix while the city continues to explore siting and capital planning for a purpose‑built animal shelter.

Interim Parks Commissioner Brian Sweatt said the administration plans an HVAC project expected to take six to nine months, depending on phase sequencing, and that work will require temporary housing for animals and relocation of some staff during construction. Department leaders noted the operational challenge: the shelter currently operates in a non‑purpose‑built facility and major mechanical upgrades require temporary alternatives for animal care.

Deputy Commissioner Steve Beckett said the department is exploring temporary “pop‑up” or interim facilities to house animals while HVAC work proceeds and is coordinating with Public Facilities and property management for siting and logistics. Officials emphasized this project is intended to improve animal and staff conditions quickly but does not replace a long‑term plan to design, fund and build a new, purpose‑built shelter — a multi‑year effort that will require site selection, design, capital fundraising and operating decisions.

Council members pressed the department on timelines for a new shelter and on short‑term improvements; officials said an HVAC project could be executed this summer, with the timing dependent on procuring temporary housing and finalizing scopes. The department reported shelter activity numbers as context: more than 11,000 pets licensed, roughly 8,000 calls responded to, almost 900 animals cared for and several hundred rabies vaccinations and low‑cost clinics conducted during the prior year. No committee action or funding authorization for a new shelter occurred at the hearing; the HVAC project and shelter planning will require procurement, interagency coordination and potential budget requests.","Parks officials told the Ways and Means committee they plan an HVAC upgrade at the city’s animal shelter this summer requiring temporary relocation of animals and staff; officials said the HVAC work (6–9 months, roughly) addresses immediate health and safety concerns while the city pursues a longer-term, purpose-built shelter.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233852,"Friends and advocates seek $40,000–$55,000 to repair mounted unit infrastructure and sustain ranger staffing",853,2726000,3579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117&start=2726&end=3579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3413722-5934db4bcb9e16a15f0eb5a61dfa8117/thumbnail_2726000.jpg","/articles/6233852/Boston-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Friends-and-advocates-seek-4000055000-to-repair-mounted-unit-infrastructure-and-sustain-ranger-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233852-de49d1e0323ac812d2e27df463a72503/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150778&Signature=RVVRyWUuRc~fPab-pKQZD95L~bAJjQyRimCVZjqDYzBBLyaQMwOAhLwG8v-QUN6cNH-Xc1WJXLG9rrANTXb8pdOp5zMT1d0LFuwCkf2E5N2bxVJ3AlZ1gwXEnvgxzTlbUrAc5FGN7l64-gNsYboggpSTk5npSpIhsPlNFB6Diqba9T6LxbX81wknY7pZujhMqj5pdP-YwGgj3VeaOO-w2WUUCxLIzbt-x28U8Z-cstnKEXda07802q4mKj9YWh9fG2lj0nCiU1eT7hnXGgecJGxhzzjUjkfUIHcKUF80UvzG5Vb5yuLVGvmrIi495MYZEiT19SHsYEdZWVNJ5oqVBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers told the committee they need immediate capital repairs to stables and paddocks and asked the council to protect ongoing operating funding for the rangers.

Caroline Humphrey, speaking for the group, outlined a list of necessary repairs and upgrades at the mounted unit’s barn and outdoor arena, including new stall doors, drainage improvements and regrading of the main paddock. The Friends’ budget letter in the record estimated low‑end costs of about $40,000 and a higher estimate of roughly $55,000 for a set of prioritized repairs and to ensure safe conditions for horses and rangers. The mounted unit wants to expand educational outreach and youth programming and said infrastructure repairs are required to support that work.

Alex (Alexander) Leventhal, board president of the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers, testified in favor of maintaining existing staffing and equine care funding. He said the mounted unit provides public‑safety, educational and ambassadorial functions across city parks and called for continued annual funding to sustain veterinary services and full‑time ranger positions.

Department staff said these are practical, relatively small capital requests and that they would review stewardship options and budget pathways. No vote or formal budget allocation was made during the hearing; the requests were entered into the record for committee and departmental follow‑up.","Representatives of the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers asked the council to maintain funding for 20 full‑time ranger positions, keep the equine care budget and cover urgent stall and paddock repairs estimated at roughly $40,000–$55,000 so the mounted unit can expand programming and educational outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Friends of the Public Garden urges funding for tool shed, permanent restroom and downtown park administration

Community coalition asks city for $50,000 technical assessment of Jamaica Pond and Olmsted Park maintenance

Boston Parks and Recreation lays out FY26 priorities, cites staffing gains and phased capital work

Parks leaders outline short‑term HVAC repairs at Boston Animal Shelter and longer‑term search for a purpose‑built facility

Friends and advocates seek $40,000–$55,000 to repair mounted unit infrastructure and sustain ranger staffing