Tag: Bussey Street

UPDATED – Upcoming events: Walk-Shop, Dedication of Flora Way, and Town Hall on Property Taxes in Boston

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The Boston Public Improvement Commission (PIC) approved the renaming of Bussey Street this week, which bisects the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University between Walter and South streets, as a result of a two-year campaign by local Roslindale and Jamaica Plain activists and organizations. The street will be renamed Flora Way, to elevate the name of Flora, a Black woman enslaved in the local area during the 18th century. Please see this flyer and join for the dedication ceremony on 10/26. Some other upcoming events that may be of interest:

  • 10/12 Saturday 9am – 1:30pm
    Mike Tormey (BTD Project Manager running the below Walk-Shop) @ the Farmer’s Market in Adams Park
    Mike will be at a table for the duration of the Farmer’s Market. Please stop by and say hello!
  • 10/16 Wednesday 5:30pm
    Roslindale Square Transportation Walk-Shop
    At this informal walk-shop, meet the Boston Transportation Department Project Manager (Mike Tormey) who will be leading the work in Roslindale Square. Share your ideas, hopes, and visions for the transportation network. We’ll meet at the flagpole in Adams Park and set off at about 5:30pm, walking approximately 0.5 miles to the Birch Street Plaza. We’ll discuss the streets and intersections around the square.
  • JUST ADDED: Mayor’s Town Hall on Property Taxes in Boston – WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16, 2024; Time: 7:00PM; Location: William H. Ohrenberger School; 175 W Boundary Rd, West Roxbury, MA 02132 – RSVP Here NOTE: This is posted here solely for the purpose of getting information out regarding this meeting. WalkUP Roslindale has not taken a position with respect to any particular proposal or policy on this issue.
  • 10/26 Saturday 2:00pm (rain date 10/27)
    Dedication of Flora Way @ Arnold Arboretum between Walter St Gate and the current Bussey St gate
    Local residents and organizations, with the support of the Arboretum and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, led a community effort to rename Bussey Street for Flora, a Black woman enslaved in this area in the 18th century.

Bussey Street Renaming Initiative – Community Input Solicited

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Along with a group of neighborhood residents and stakeholders, WalkUP Roslindale Board member Steve Gag has been involved over the last several months in a meaningful initiative to change the name of Bussey Street, the street that bisects the Arnold Arboretum, to honor an individual worthy of recognition in accord with the present-day values of the Jamaica Plain and Roslindale communities. That group is now seeking broader community input on potential new names for the street that will provide valuable information and advice to the two street abutters – the Arboretum/Harvard and the Parks Department/City of Boston – who are empowered to make the formal request for the name change.

We hope that folks will read this document from the initiative that provides more background on what this is all about, along with biographies of the five potential new names for the street, and will submit input by rating each of the candidates. In the document is a link to the form to fill out and submit a rating. Respondents have until April 27 to submit the form.

Finally, there will be a virtual community meeting on the evening of April 11 to learn more about the candidates and the renaming process.  The linked document includes a contact email address for those interested in attending the meeting.

Spring 2020 Gateway Path Update – New 25% Conceptual Plan, Demolition Started at Bussey Brook Meadow

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The Roslindale Gateway Path remains one of WalkUP Roslindale’s signature initiatives and a top priority. As we approach the five year mark since its conception (along with WalkUP itself), we’re starting to see concrete progress. Please excuse the pun.

Notably, we recently received a revised 25% conceptual plan for the path from our partner consultant, Horsley Witten Group. As you will see below, the path course has been modestly revised, and more details about eventual construction filled in. Click on the image to see an (extremely) high-resolution detailed version.

Updated 25% Design Plan for Roslindale Gateway PathMeanwhile, demolition work on the new Bussey Brook Meadow entrance to the path–at the end of Arboretum Road off of Washington Street–recently started:

Demolition of Bussey Brook Meadow Entrance to Arboretum

We are looking ahead to break ground for this segment of the path sometime this summer. The other major update is that design work is moving forward on the grand boardwalk connecting the Peters Hill segment of the path – this segment will connect the intersection of Bussey and South Street to the Bussey Brook Meadow. Renderings of this section are expected in June 2020. Blow-up of this section below, with the new, improved Arboretum Road entrance on the bottom right:Boardwalk Section of Bussey Brook Path

South/Bussey Proposed Improvements – Public Meeting – 6 pm on 2/1 @ Arboretum Weld Hill Facility

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Bussey and South Street
Intersection of Bussey and South Street, seen from South Street heading southwest away from Jamaica Plain

Share this as broadly as you can: the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) and Public Works Department (PWD) will hold a public meeting on proposed improvements for the Bussey-South intersection – 6 pm on February 1, 2017 at the Weld Hill Research Building in the Arboretum (1300 Centre Street). This is currently one of the least pedestrian friendly intersections in and around the Arboretum and is in desperate need of a walkable redesign. Please attend to lend your critical thinking and advocacy skills for safer vehicle speeds and better walking and cycling in our neighborhood.