Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In today’s fast-paced world, we often skip the energizing meal in favor of cramming a few extra minutes into the work day. Mayor Marty Walsh, however, is kicking off the 16th annual Neighborhood Coffee Hour Series, where he’ll trade you Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and breakfast treats for ideas on improving city parks.
Put on in tandem with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, the series is intended to give Bostonians a platform for speaking directly with the mayor. Transparency has been the Walsh administration’s mantra and by hosting a forum where he can connect directly with city residents – as he also did while transitioning to City Hall and continues to do in Boston’s various neighborhoods – is an exemplification of such.
“Through these one-on-one discussions and a suggestion box at each site,” noted the Parks and Recreation Department in a statement, “Mayor Walsh looks forward to hearing how the City of Boston can improve upon local parks, public areas, and city services.”
Those who attend one of the Coffee Hour sessions will receive a flowering plant grown in the city’s greenhouses as a gift from Mayor Walsh. They’ll also be eligible to win a raffle prize package including a Dunkin’ Donuts gift basket.
Adding to the fun will be the Mayor’s Office of Food Initiatives, which will be doling out seeds at each session to help better education attendees about the benefits of urban gardening.
Each session will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The full schedule is as follows. Keep in mind, sessions with an accompanying asterisk will take place rain or shine, while others are subject to change.
Monday, May 12
Doherty Park, 349 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown*
Tuesday, May 13
South Street Park, 52 South Street, Jamaica Plain
Wednesday, May 14
Almont Park, 40 Almont Street, Mattapan
Friday, May 16
Mother’s Rest Park, 410 Washington Street, Dorchester
Monday, May 19
Ringgold Park, 10 Ringgold Street, South End
Tuesday, May 20
Elliot Norton Park, 295 Tremont Street, Boston
Wednesday, May 21
Joyce Playground (park opening), 80 Union Street, Allston/Brighton
Thursday, May 22
East Boston Stadium, 143 Porter Street, East Boston*
Tuesday, May 27
McGann Playground, 309 West Street, Hyde Park (rain location: George Wright GC Clubhouse)
Wednesday, May 28
Ramler Park, 130 Peterborough Street, Fenway-Kenmore
Thursday, May 29
Sweeney Playground (park opening), 180 West Fifth Street, South Boston
Monday, June 2
Christopher Columbus Park, 110 Atlantic Avenue, North End*
Wednesday, June 4
Billings Field (park opening), 369 LaGrange Street, West Roxbury
Wednesday, June 11
Gertrude Howes Park, 68 Moreland Street, Roxbury
Friday, June 13
Fallon Field, 910 South Street, Roslindale
Monday, June 16
Martin Tot Lot, 95 Myrtlebank Avenue, Dorchester
Image via Mayor Walsh Facebook
