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

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.