Boston proposes ambitious renovation for Franklin Park

The city of Boston is releasing the Franklin Park Action Plan, which outlines a vision for renovating that space for the community. The city has earmarked more than $23 million for the improvements to the largest park in Boston, and also created a $5 million trust for park maintenance.

Three years in the making, the action plan takes into consideration feedback from more than 6,000 people and includes recommendations such as improving entrance access, adding more lighting and signage, and rebuilding historical areas such as the Elma Lewis Playhouse.

The investment is one of the largest the 527-acre park has received in the last few decades.

“The park has been neglected over the years,” says Rickie Thompson, the president of the Franklin Park Coalition. And community concerns about safety increased after 91-year-old activist Jean McGuire was stabbed in the park in October. “We'd like to see that park become something that people will want to come and see, even tourists coming in from out of town,” he says.

Ryan Woods, Boston's commissioner of parks and recreation, says the department wants to create an inviting space that honors the vision of the park's architect Frederick Law Olmsted who valued “the importance of access to that open space, having public health benefits and the opportunities for nurturing community relationships.”

According to Woods, the community prioritizes rebuilding the Elma Lewis historical area and restoring the "Bear Dens" — old bear cages from the Franklin Park Zoo — for new uses. Improving the entrance on Blue Hill Avenue and Columbia Road was also high on people’s list.

Other highlights of the plan include creating more restrooms and seating areas; upgrading trails, play areas, athletic fields and picnic sites; and hosting more community events.

Park advocates also want to honor the historical site where the Elma Lewis Playhouse outdoor stage hosted live concerts. It's named after the African-American fine arts teacher who started the tradition of community concerts in the park in 1966. For the next 15 to 20 years, there were live concerts every night of the week from the 4th of July to Labor Day, says Thompson of the Franklin Park Coalition.

In recent years, the Franklin Park Coalition has been carrying on the tradition at a different site in the park. “We're looking forward to having that site restored to its, better than its original condition, and made into an amphitheater,” says Thompson.

Thompson also says he wants to ensure that jobs created by the renovation stay in the surrounding communities — Mattapan, Roxbury, Dorchester, Roslindale and Jamaica Plain.

“With this action plan, residents and park users will have the opportunity to help the City shape the future of the park and creates a roadmap for preservation, maintenance, and public use of Olmsted’s historic landscape,” Mayor Michelle Wu said in a press release statement.

All told, the potential projects in the action plan would cost around $150 million over 20 to 30 years, so the city is seeking additional funding.

The lengthy vision plan is available on the Franklin Park Action Plan website and open to public comment until March 3. Parks Commissioner Woods adds that the city will keep seeking community feedback during the construction phases. Construction work would likely start in 2024.

Editor's note: After this story was published, the public comment period was extended to March 3. This story has been updated to reflect the new deadline.