Municipal

BPDA Awards Funds for Fenway Improvements

Boston – The BPDA board approved the disbursement of $100,000 in grant funding to nine community nonprofit organizations from the Boston Red Sox Fenway Park Demonstration Project Community Benefits at its July board meeting. The community benefits funding is aimed at creating temporary or permanent beautification projects in the neighborhood.

The awardees are as follows:

  • Boston Arts Academy Foundation, Inc. – $5,000 for students to create a mural on Ipswich Street.
  • Community Work Services, Inc. – $10,000 to provide job training to underserved Fenway residents while also helping to beautify the Fenway neighborhood.
  • Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Inc. – $7,500 to help fund improvements to the Shattuck Visitor Center.
  • Esplanade Association, Inc. – $6,500 to paint murals to combat graffiti on the Esplanade.
  • Fenway Community Development Corporation – $5,000 to beautify a fence and make pavement improvements on Burbank Street.
  • Fenway Civic Association – $35,000 for the repair, cleaning, and conservation of the John Boyle O’Reilly monument in the Fens.
  • Kenmore Association – $9,000 for the design and installation of three new benches on the Kenmore block of the Commonwealth Avenue mall. 
  • Muddy Water Initiative – $12,000 to fund the operation of the “Water Goat,” a device that helps remove trash and debris from the river.
  • Operation P.E.A.C.E. – $10,000 to fund the “Together Through Art” project: a public art walk and celebration.

The funds stem from the Fenway Park Demonstration Project, an agreement made with the Boston Red Sox in September 2013 for certain game day and event easements in the area. As part of the agreement, the Red Sox pledged to contribute $100,000 each year for ten years to support beautification efforts in the Fenway.