GreenDorchester (Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition)

The MA Dept of Transportation is working with the Roxbury Dorchester and Mattapan communities to develop short- and long-term strategies to improve user’s experience with the public transportation system. The next RDM Public Meeting will take place on  Thursday, September 29 at 6 p.m. at the William J. Devine Golf Course Club House in Franklin Park. The Sep. 29 public meeting is an opportunity to hear updates on the study and the ideas it has generated for enhanced MBTA service.

Please visit the MA DoT website http://www.mass.gov/massdot/rdm for more information. You can view a PDF map of the study area here.

Join MassBike & DOT Bike of Dorchester for the first ever MetroFuture Walks & Talks Bike Ride at 10:30 a.m. on September 17! The bike ride will span about 12 miles along the coast, with some on road travel, including a visit to Victory Park and is suitable for adult riders of all abilities. Prior to the bike ride, learn about the work that the Metropolitan Area Planning Council does regarding bicycle planning, including more about the new Hubway Bike Share. Hear more about MassBike and about specific DOT Bike advocacy projects such as their work with the Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN) to push for closing the gap in the Dorchester Coast Trail. Bring your own bike and meet at JFK Station on the Red Line to learn about biking in Boston and to enjoy a pleasant coastal bike ride. If you don’t have a bike and are looking into a rental, email Amanda Cleveland at acleveland@mapc.org.

The number of participants is limited. RSVP at http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5859/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=42870. P.S. If you can help out as sweep or just an experienced rider for this ride let DotBike know atdotbike@bostonbiker.org.

Join Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN) and MA Dept of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) for a walk of the planned Greenway Extension through Mattapan Station Weds, Sept 7th, 5:30 to 6:30 pm. The group will meet at the Mattapan Station Platform near the shed and walk to get a closer look at the plans for the Greenway around the station. They’ll look specifically at the area planned for the “canopy walk,” possible connection to the station, area south of the station where the trail is planned, as well as the proposed visitors center location on the square.
This is happening RAIN OR SHINE! Be prepared for a possibly muddy walk, wear boots, bring an umbrella.

The Neponset River Greenway Council meeting follows, Wed Sept 7, 2011
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Milton Yacht Club, 25 Wharf Street – Lower Mills/Milton Village.  All are welcome on the walk, and to the meeting.

Here is the link to the proposed Neponset Trail Extension, see Option B Revised on page 20 for the most up-to-date route proposal.

On Tuesday August 30, from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Foley Senior Residences Dining Room, 249 River Street, Mattapan, the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will discuss, and solicit public input on, recommended alternative trail extension between Central Avenue in Milton and Blue Hill Avenue in Boston to link the Lower Neponset River Trail to the Neponset Esplanade.

Maps and plans available for viewing starting at 6:30 PM. Please help pass along this meeting notice especially to those who live in Mattapan and Milton, to help generate a sizeable community presence at this meeting that can provide feedback about this critical missing piece. If you have questions about the public meeting, please call 617-626-4974 or email DCR.

As part of the Boston Complete Streets Initiative, a group of interested residents explored the walking environment along a mile or so of Dorchester Avenue on a recent hot summer day. The Neighborhood Walk helped investigate how the city’s current Dorchester Avenue Improvement Project fits into the citywide effort to create streets that are multi-modal, green and smart and demonstrated how they support a healthy, active lifestyle. The walk was led by Mark Fenton, host of the TV series “America’s Walking” and one of the country’s leading experts on the relationship between walking, street design and public health. The group learned how we can make our streets more safe and comfortable for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists while improving sustainability and making use of new technology where appropriate. Pre-walk presentations (see related presentations here; DEHC will add Complete Streets presentations as received) stressed the importance of active living for health and fitness. Continue Reading »

The Fields Corner Collaborative is pleased to kick off My Dot Tour, a multimedia, youth-led walking tour of Fields Corner in Dorchester this August! The free tours will take place Saturday August 6 and 13 at 11 a.m. and on Sunday August 7 and 14 at 4 p.m. There is a 20 attendee-maximum at each tour – RSVP today! For media inquiries and to RSVP with your preferred tour date and time, contact mydottour@gmail.com. You may also call (617) 855-8687.

On the first two weekends in August, My Dot Tour teen guides will for the second year lead participants on hour-long walking tours of Fields Corner. The tours will present a narrative of not only the past, but also the present and future of this diverse and exciting community. Continue Reading »

Dorchester is home to nearly 20 community gardens, which are some of the oldest gardens in Boston. Join this bicycle tour to visit a mix of recently renovated gardens and some old favorites. Participants must provide their own bikes (helmets are required). A guardian must accompany children under 14. Meet at Fields Corner T Station, Charles Street Entrance at 10 a.m. Co-sponsored by DotBike and the Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition. For more information, call 617-542-7696, email info@bostonnatural.org, or click here to view the Seed, Sow and Grow brochure.

Every summer, Boston Natural Areas Network, in partnership with MA DCR, local businesses, non-profits and residents, organizes the Neponset River Greenway Festival, celebrating the Neponset River and its many offerings in Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park and Milton. BNAN populates the river’s “multi-use walking and biking trail and many riverfront parks with family oriented events.”  Enjoy films, strolls, swims, tunes, moonlight paddling, and many other fun events – all for free! Continue Reading »

Interested in the Fairmount Corridor? Check out this video describing the work of the EPA, DOT, City of Boston and other agencies to reduce pollution, enable transit-dependent residents to travel faster, increase job opportunities and more. A whole range of community voices are consulted on the potential of this massive project, which, on a local planning and organizing level, has been headed by the Fairmount Collaborative: the Codman Square NDC, Dorchester Bay EDC, Mattapan CDC and Southwest Boston CDC.

Need a briefing? Continue on for a description of the project from the Department of Transportation. Continue Reading »