We’re happy to see City Councillors Kendra Lara and Ricardo Arroyo, along with the Boston Transportation Department and neighborhood resident Nathan Eckstrom, are leading a safety walk on January 28th at 1pm, focusing on road safety issues along Hyde Park Avenue. The walk will meet at Forest Hills Station (Upper Level). Advance registration is recommended. More details here:
As long-time WalkUP followers know, the Roslindale Gateway Path is a proposed ADA-accessible shared-use pedestrian and cycling path through the Arnold Arboretum. This project aims to extend the Southwest Corridor path system from Forest Hills bus, subway, and Commuter Rail terminus to Roslindale Village Commuter Rail Station, providing carbon-free commuting options and connecting Boston residents with the natural environment close to where they live. On November 3, 2022 from 6:30-8:00pm, the Arboretum will host a project update meeting open to members of the public (via Zoom). Register in advance for this meeting here.
Today, we sent a comment letter to BTD expressing our support for a modest extension of the Washington Street dedicated bus/bicycle lane from Albano to Poplar Street. Our full letter is below, also available in PDF form. If you’d like to support the bus lane extension as well, please drop in on BTD’s coffee hours at the Square Root Café next week.
We are happy to report that BTD is looking to extend the existing inbound Washington Street Bus/Bike Lane in Roslindale from Albano Street to Poplar Street. This bus lane would help address severe congestion on Washington Street on the approach to Poplar Street. A few details provided by BTD:
BTD is hosting two coffee hours next week at the Square Root Café. We encourage folks to drop by to support this well-needed extension!
See also this BTD flyer for these events in English, Spanish, and Creole.
Yesterday, we sent a comment letter in support of the proposed housing development at 361 Belgrade Avenue, formerly the proposed site of Roxbury Prep. Our full letter is reproduced below and is also available as a PDF and also in Spanish.
Join us at the Crabapple and Maple Festival on Saturday 10/15 11am-3pm on South St between Bussey and Archdale! This stretch of road will be closed to vehicles and open for people during the festival.
WalkUP Roslindale, the Arnold Arboretum, and Liveable Streets will all be there to showcase the Roslindale Gateway Path Project and solicit feedback on improving access for pedestrians and cyclists at the Archdale arch.
Rozzie Bikes will be there to provide bike repair, as well as e-bike demos and test rides!
WalkUP Roslindale is a member of the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition, a broad coalition of nonprofits and community groups who share the goal of ending traffic injuries and deaths across Massachusetts. As the November election nears, we wanted to boost the Coalition’s support for Ballot Question 4, which would allow otherwise eligible residents the ability to obtain driver’s licenses, regardless of immigration status. The Coalition’s full statement is below:
The Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition stands in strong support of the Yes on 4 for Safer Roads ballot campaign to uphold the common-sense law known as the Work and Family Mobility Act.
This law was enacted earlier this year and allows qualified residents, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a standard driver’s license. As a Coalition focused on improving street safety, we know this law will meaningfully improve road safety for everyone, and will dignify all our residents with the freedom to travel safely and legally. Voting YES on ballot question 4 in November will preserve this law, improve mobility, and ensure more drivers on our roads are trained and licensed.
A YES vote on ballot question 4 will:
Read our full statement here.
Here’s how you can learn more + get involved:
We hope you will vote YES on question 4 on the ballot this November!
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
We receive frequent questions about progress on the Gateway Path, which will connect Roslindale Square to Forest Hills through the Arnold Arboretum on a nearly straight path, creating a safe green connection between JP and Roslindale and improving park access for points in between. The idea for this project helped catalyze WalkUP Roslindale’s formation early in 2015, and continues to be one of our highest priority initiatives.
To that end, please check out this detailed and recently updated presentation showing progress to date and plans for the future.
In addition, Saturday, Oct 15, 2022 is the Arboretum’s annual Crabapple and Maple festival. From 10am to 4pm, the section of South Street from Bussey St (Poplar Gate) to the Archdale Arch will be closed to traffic. The Gateway Path will be showcased at a display on South Street near the Archdale Arch. We’ll be tabling to show design plans for the the path, the boardwalk, and possible new options for pedestrian and bicycle access at the Arch entrance. We hope to see you there!
EN ESPAÑOL
Recibimos muchas preguntas sobre el progreso del Sendero de Entrada (Gateway Path), el cual conectará a Roslindale Square con Forest Hills a través del Arnold Arboretum por medio de un sendero casi derecho, creando una conexión verde segura entre JP y Roslindale y mejorando acceso al parque para los lugares entre medio. La idea para este proyecto ayudó a catalizar el empiezo de WalkUP Roslindale a principios del 2015, y continúa siendo una de nuestras iniciativas de prioridad más alta.
A ese fin, por favor vea esta presentación detallada y recién actualizada mostrando el progreso hasta la fecha y planes para el futuro.
Mas alla, sabado, Oct 15, 2022 es el Festival Anual del Arboretum de Manzanas y Arce (Arboretum’s annual Crabapple and Maple festival). Desde las 10am a 4pm, la sección de South Street desde Bussey St (Poplar Gate) hasta Archdale Arch estará cerrada al tráfico. Habrá una exhibición en South Street cerca de Archdale Arc para mostrar el Sendero de Entrada (Gateway Path). Tendremos una mesa para mostrar los planes de diseño para el sendero, paseo elevado, y nuevas posibles opciones para acceso peatonal y para bicis en la entrada de Arch. ¡Esperamos verte allí!
Translator: Grecia White.
We sent a letter to the BPDA today supporting amendments to the Zoning Code that would remove extra hurdles to opening cannabis establishments in the City of Boston. We believe these amendments are consistent with both our walkability and equity principles. Our full letter is reproduced below and also available as a PDF.
If you haven’t yet reached out to the Zoning Board of Appeal to support the proposed project for 59-63, please do so by the end of Friday, August 19. See our earlier post for details.