#WalkingBoston Advocating for #WalkingCityTrail at Boston City Hall

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 3/7/2023

There is movement underfoot in Boston and I’m proud to be in the thick of it.

Miles Howard founded and launched Walking City Trail, an urban hiking trail connecting Boston’s parks, urban wilds, gardens, greenways, and residential neighborhoods in June of 2022. On February 8, 2023 Miles wrote, “When the Walking City Trail launched last June, the invitation to Boston residents and visitors was twofold—come hike the trail and share your ideas for how the WCT could be made better. Trails survive and flourish if communities of hikers want them to. And with that outcome in mind, this past summer and fall’s community section hikes along the Walking City Trail brought hundreds of hikers into Boston green spaces, where inspired ideas for trail extensions and reroutes were proposed.”

As a result, the Walking City Trail is now 27 miles and connects 17 Boston neighborhoods. I love the idea of having a community-curated trail mapped out for all of us to explore and discover more of Boston. As noted in my testimony below, I walked portions of 2 sections of Walking City Trail, just for the enjoyment of it, but also as ‘training’ walks for my #WalkingBoston endeavor. I also walked a chilly ‘scouting mission’ with Miles dubbed, ‘Cold AF Boston Harborwalk,’ where we covered 5+ miles, primarily along the water in Charlestown on 12/19/22.

On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Miles Howard and Walking City Trail advocates were invited by the Boston City Council’s Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency and Parks to a hearing to ‘Discuss Establishing A Walking City Trail Connecting Urban Green Spaces Across Boston Neighborhoods.’ The matter was sponsored by Councilors Kendra Lara, Kenzie Bok, and Gabriella Coletta. The objectives of the hearing were to begin the conversation about having the City of Boston officially recognize the Walking City Trail, furnish signage along the trail, and possibly create a role within the Parks Department to support the creation of more urban trails in Boston. Miles invited me to participate on a small panel “of people who can speak to the benefits 0f urban hiking/walking and approaching the city as a place of exploration and discovery.” This was a watershed moment for me and #WalkingBoston, and I was thrilled to participate.

Opening Testimony from Miles Howard:

Testimony for Docket #0251, on Urban Trails

Miles Howard, author, journalist, founder of the Walking City Trail:

“Thank you to Councilor Lara, Councilor Bok, and Councilor Coletta for sponsoring this hearing and bringing all of us here to discuss the possibilities of urban trail–making in Boston. Boston has historically been called “America’s Walking City,” and rightfully so. While our sidewalks and public transit network have plenty of room for improvement, our existing resources and our distribution of green space— within a 10 minute walk of every resident—make Boston a lovely place to go for a stroll. The first year of the pandemic dramatically underscored this, with stay-at-home orders forcing us to cobble together our own adventures and getaways with the resources we have right here, in our shared backyard. Long walks across green spaces and neighborhoods have been a vital tonic for many of us who call Boston home.

During those early pandemic days, I read a National Geographic story about something that seemed to lean into this idea of using local resources to create a scenic experience. The Crosstown Trail. This 17-mile hiking route across San Francisco connects some of the city’s must immersive woods, canyons, and coastal cliffs. But it wasn’t just the green spaces along the Crosstown Trail that intrigued me. It was how the trail builders—working at a grassroots level and from within the city—had chosen paths, streets, and public transit stations to create this epic urban trail that can be hiked in pieces, or in one day. Exactly one year ago, on this date, I hiked the Crosstown Trail. I experienced dimensions of San Francisco that I had never heard of before: things that made me eager to return and poke around even more. And as I waited for my red eye flight back home, my mind kept circling back to one question: what would this new model of urban trail making look like in Boston?

Today, only one year later, Boston has the Walking City Trail. Running 27 miles from the Neponset River to Bunker Hill, and accessible via the MBTA, this urban hiking trail was scouted and mapped last spring. Not a single shovel was picked up to create this trail, which mixes pre-existing paths and streets to yield an immersive hiking route. Maps and trail directions, available for free online, show visitors how to walk across nearly 30 green spaces and 17 Boston neighborhoods.

The WCT, as we’ve come to call it, was a proof-of-concept of what *a* cross-city urban trail could look like in Boston. But it was also an invitation to Boston: to help shape the route of the Walking City Trail and imagine *more* urban trails.

Thanks to Councilor Lara and Mothers Out Front, I had the privilege of co-leading several short community hikes along sections of the Walking City Trail last summer. People came to these hikes with terrific ideas for how the trail could be re-routed and changed to include more green spaces and interesting streets: changes that have since been made to the trail. This was the point when the WCT really became more of an ensemble project. But these hikes also brought residents and visitors from many neighborhoods together for a journey that felt like a roaming conversation— which touched on more than just green spaces. As we hiked by public art, local restaurants and shops, and endangered affordable housing, these fixtures of the trail become pillars of our conversation.

Something magical happens when you put people on a trail together, whether they came as a group or crossed paths. And in a city as historically segregated by race and income as Boston, anything that sparks cross-pollination
between our neighborhoods is worth exploring. Urban trails like the Walking City Trail have the potential to not only bring Boston residents and visitors together in public spaces, but to inspire a sense of collective ownership and stewardship of all public spaces in Boston—whether we’re talking leafy parks like Arnold Arboretum or the Edgewater Greenway, or the animated streets of the Leather District, Mattapan, and Mission Hill.

The words I heard most often on those community hikes were, “I had no idea this place existed.” Today, hundreds of Walking City Trail explorers have found the trail online through social media and word-of-mouth. But with physical signage posted along the trail, showing people where they stand on a 27 mile artery of greenery and streets, the Walking City Trail could be enjoyed by so many more residents and visitors.

What we’ve created in less than a year isn’t just a singular trail—it’s a model for urban trail-making that encourages community participation and requires minimal resources. This is not the Big Dig—it’s not even building a new park! It’s a scalable, low-cost tool that Boston can pick up and use. We can do this by creating a new role to support the creation of more urban trails for all abilities…trails that would reach every community. Boston can be a trailblazer amongst cities and create an urban hiking network.

The Freedom Trail has already shown us the draw of urban trails, and building a network of trails like the WCT, shaped by Boston community members, can highlight the connections that exist between our neighborhoods, *and* establish new connections for a more accessible city. Urban trails can be a path to getting more of us involved in the conversations and processes that determine how Boston can equitably distribute resources such as trees, grass, water access, transit stops, pedestrian facilities, and maps of the cityscape.

I’m grateful to be here today with all of you, diving into this conversation about how urban trails can move Boston toward becoming a city where every person can play a role in shaping these decisions. Let’s take this path together and see where it leads us. Thank you.”

Video of Miles Howard Testimony

Follow Miles Howard on Twitter

Patrick Maguire testimony:

“Good Morning. My name is Patrick Maguire, an almost lifelong resident of the Boston area. Thank you, Miles Howard, for including me today, and to Councilor Kendra Lara and her colleagues for their initiative and leadership in co-sponsoring today’s hearing. I’m honored to be here.

The Boston Public Garden in full bloom in the Spring is absolutely GORGEOUS. Strolling along the banks of the Charles, the Emerald Necklace, Harborwalk, and the Freedom Trail are invigorating, immersive, and informative.

But there’s SO much more to Boston that we should be proud of, showcase, and make it easy and accessible for residents and visitors alike to discover and enjoy.

Despite living in the Boston area for more than 50 years, I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t know our city nearly as well as I should. So, I decided to do something about it.

On August 16, 2022, I launched an adventure of discovery called, #WalkingBoston – ‘A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood.’ Each official walk is a minimum of a half marathon.

To date, I’ve walked more than 121 miles in Eastie, Hyde Park, JP, and most recently, the South End. The distances are verified using the MapMyWalk application and AllTrails, the same app used to map and provide GPS guidance for Walking City Trail.

The #1 stated objective when I launched #WalkingBoston was to explore and show off Boston’s neighborhoods by walking deep into every one of them, discovering hidden gems and the real ‘heart and soul’ of our city.

After each walk, I share pictures and videos in chronological order of the journey. I’ve posted more than nineteen hundred of them from the 4 neighborhoods I’ve covered, and they’re accessible to everyone.

The discovery and experiences so far have been exhilarating and have reinforced the notion that there is so much more to explore right in our own backyard. I’m beginning to appreciate Boston SO much more than I have my entire life. As a result, I believe that we need to do more to showcase the Best of Boston’s #RoadsLessTraveled.

A few highlights from my #WalkingBoston adventures so far:

Exploring the gritty dirt path on the water in Eastie behind Umana Academy with unique, stunning views of the Boston Skyline, Charlestown, the Tobin, and old school marinas and pilings with nautical artifacts strewn about…

Meeting and chatting with Eastie resident, Barbara who was picking up litter in the shared, public space in her neighborhood…

Talking with crossing guard, Marianne O’Dowd (in yellow below)… [Photo by Matthew MacDonald. From L to R, Maguire, Hyde Park ONS (Office of Neighborhood Services) Liaison, Denyel Fonseca, crossing guard, Marianne O’Dowd and Hyde Park resident, Quiana Agbai.]

Chatting with painter, Jen Vanora who was touching up a mural on a wall outside of Ron’s Ice Cream in Hyde Park…

Meeting and walking with Denyel Fonseca, Liaison for the City of Boston and exploring and discovering Hyde Park together…

[Maguire with ONS Liaison, Denyel Fonseca (L) and Quiana Agbai (R) at Hyde Park Commuter Station w/map of the walking route. Courtesy of Matt MacDonald The Bulletin.]

Standing in the middle of Forest Hills Cemetery mid-morning, surrounded by gorgeous foliage as the church bells chimed 10 times from Forsyth Chapel, and capturing that moment on video.

Walking 13.48 miles with Hyde Park resident, Matt MacDonald, a reporter for Boston Neighborhood newspaper, The Bulletin. I called that my ‘George Plimpton moment.’ Mr. Plimpton was a ‘participatory journalist’ who immersed himself in roles, including playing goalie with the Boston Bruins in 1977, then wrote about those experiences.

We all know about the variety of physical and emotional benefits to walking. There’s also SO much potential opportunity through the exploration and discovery while walking. Whether it be solace, community, adventure, beauty, inspiration, or enlightenment we’re seeking, the fresh air and perspective can literally change our lives. It absolutely has changed mine.

Walking City Trail encapsulates and enhances everything I have described above. I walked WCT Section 1 through Mattapan, Hyde Park, and Roslindale alone. I loved the experience and the discovery of hidden gems and relics like the original T logo on an old abandoned Orange Line Trolley, and I really appreciated the ease of mapping and navigation with the AllTrails application.

Experiencing Walking City Trail is an invitation to see parts of Boston lots of people don’t even know exist. Imagine someone stating that they “KNOW” Cape Cod without ever having visited the tremendous ocean side outer beaches and cliffs of the National Seashore from Orleans to P-Town??? The curated Walking City Trail guides us to places we NEED TO SEE to truly know Boston, our people, history, and community more fully.

I also joined Miles, Max, Kendra, and a very interesting, informative, fun group of people covering Section 2, Part 1 of Walking City Trail in October that included fascinating parts of the Arboretum, murals, inspiration, and architecture that I had never seen before.

I strongly believe in and support Walking City Trail and this initiative for the City of Boston to recognize and embrace it by providing trail signs to make it more approachable and accessible for everyone. Investing in Walking City Trail and the proposed Urban Trail Role in the Parks Department, are tremendous ways to leverage the EXISTING resources and beauty of our parks, paths, woods, neighborhoods, and roads less traveled.

Miles Howard and volunteer community members have literally ‘walked the walk’ to create essentially a ‘guided tour’ for all of us, and everyone visiting Boston, to experience and enjoy.

Walking City Trail, and future urban paths, will enhance not only Boston’s image, but learning and education, our economy, our communities, and the mental, physical, and social health of our residents. Let’s work together, and walk together to officially codify, support, and promote Boston’s Walking City Trail. I’m grateful for your time, attention, and consideration. Thank you very much.”

Video of Patrick Maguire Testimony

Video of Karen Mauney-Brodek Testimony – President Emerald Necklace Conservancy

[ pictured L to R, Karen Mauney-Brodek and Miles Howard courtesy of Richard Howard.]

Video of Max Hunter TestimonyMothers Out Front

Bob Siegel TestimonySan Francisco Cross Town Trail

The entire hearing can be viewed by ‘rewinding’ to the beginning of any of the videos above.

Subscribe to the Walking City Trail Newsletter via this link.

Thank you for following, supporting, and sharing the missions of #WalkingBoston#WalkingCityTrail.

Chinatown and adjacent neighborhoods are next up for #WalkingBoston. Subscribe to this blog for scheduling.

Cheers-Patrick

Photo Credit: The first pic under ‘Server Snapshots’ is courtesy of Richard Howard.

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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: South End Part 2

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 1/20/2023

Welcome to #WalkingBoston. To learn about the inspiration, mission, goals, and ongoing updates, please see the #WalkingBoston launch blog post.

‘South End Part 1,’ the walk covering Shawmut Ave and points South and East covered 13.24 miles.

Total miles walked on the first 8 Boston walks to date in Eastie, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain and half of the South End = 108.23.

Some news since the last walk:

#1-Huge thanks to Newton North TV student producers, Luis Carvalho, Kyle Bunn, and Josephine Singer and their team for their time, effort, energy, creativity, and hard work interviewing me at home and producing this video featuring #WalkingBoston… Click here to view video.

#2-Tremendous work by reporter, Matthew MacDonald to join me on a 13.38 mile walk in Hyde Park and cover the #WalkingBoston mission for The Bulletin, Boston’s neighborhood newspaper. Read the full article here.

The #WalkingBoston journey continues on Saturday, 1/21/23. ‘South End Part 2’ leaves Mike’s City Diner at 8am sharp. The weather looks respectable for December, with a low of 23 degrees and a high in the mid 30’s. Early bird breakfast, stretching, and map/course review when the doors open at Mike’s at 7am. All are welcome to join, even just for breakfast and/or a portion of the walk.

[Please Note: A post-walk summary, reflections, and pics/videos from this walk will be included at the end of this blog post. Please check back and scroll down for updates.]

‘South End Part 2’ (13.1+ miles) will cover North and West of Shawmut Ave, including Bay Village. As always, please send me ‘must see’ sights along the way, including ‘hidden gems,’ art, nature, parks, murals, history, architecture, Mom & Pop #SmallBiz, etc. I love getting suggestions in advance to include while mapping out the walks. The course will be finalized on Friday, 1/20. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com or comment at the end of this post with suggestions.

If inspired by #WalkingBoston, please consider a donation to the following:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz, Kara Walker & team for their professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail. Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom OKeefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

Now that I have a completed more than 3 marathons (Eastie, Hyde Park, JP, and half of the South End), I’m in the process of negotiating sponsorships and collaborations with local companies and individuals, and I’m wide open to all creative ideas to raise money. Donations to Make-A-Wish and Stride for Stride are tax deductible.

#3- Lastly, several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston mission and expedite the publication of my #ServerNotServant book advocating for service industry workers and fellow humans. A grassroots fundraiser has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here. Thank you.

From the City of Boston Website:

South End – At a Glance

Located just south of the Back Bay, the South End is an elegant residential neighborhood known for its Victorian townhouses and many small parks. The neighborhood was originally built on tidal flats during the mid-1800s, planned to attract the wealthy merchant class with a regular street grid, elegant townhouses, and thirty parks. Today it remains a popular residential area with a thriving restaurant and arts scene, and is the United States’ largest Victorian residential district.

This diverse neighborhood is home to active young families, professionals, and immigrants, and is popular with Boston’s gay community. Residents of the South End inhabit a mix of historic brick town homes and publicly funded housing. The many parks, including the Southwest Corridor Path built over the depressed Orange Line train, offer green space to the area. The Boston Center for the Arts brings numerous performances to the neighborhood each year.

The neighborhood’s restaurants, bars, galleries, and boutiques line Tremont and Washington Streets, and the summertime SoWa Open Market attracts artisans and shoppers from all over the city. Washington Gateway Main Street and the South End Business Alliance support local business owners. Cyclorama, a unique round conference space at the BCA, hosts public and private events. Major tenants of the neighborhood include Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine.

Thank you to everyone following, supporting, and sharing the missions of #WalkingBoston

Cheers-Patrick

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#WalkingBoston Featured in Boston Neighborhood Newspaper, The Bulletin by Reporter, Matthew MacDonald

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 1/16/2023

I love the work of American journalist, George Plimpton, well known for ‘participatory journalism’ – sharing his amateur point of view after his experiences with professional sports teams, acting, performing comedy, and playing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, to name a few.

When Matthew MacDonald, reporter for Boston neighborhood newspaper, The Bulletin arrived to meet me at the Hyde Park Commuter Rail parking lot, I learned that he planned to join me for the duration of the second Hyde Park half-marathon walk for #WalkingBoston, ‘A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood.’ Not only did Matt make it the entire distance, 13.48 miles, his insight, knowledge, motivation, and history of Hyde Park were invaluable.

I read somewhere about the powerful dynamic of walking side-by-side with someone instead of the added pressure of sitting across from them with an expectation to ‘perform.’ The idea is that the shared experience, moving forward together, fosters an easier environment to converse and get to know each other. For me, that was true while spending the day and sharing with Matt. I’m grateful for his company and ‘participatory journalistic’ commitment. Thus, my tweet the day after our walk…

 

Today’s guest post is the piece that Matthew MacDonald wrote following my 2 walks covering more than a marathon in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts for #WalkingBoston. This article is being shared with permission from Matt and The Bulletin. My sincere thanks and gratitude.

The Hyde Park Bulletin

Volume 21, Issue 43 

October 27, 2022

Matthew MacDonald-Staff Reporter

‘Walking City Roads Less Traveled’

Patrick Maguire took a photo at the Grimké Sisters Bridge on Dana Avenue, and then took in the confluence of the Neponset River and Mother Brook as the late afternoon sun filtered through the trees along their forked banks and the twilight of the day approached.

[Photo that reporter, Matt MacDonald mentioned taken by Patrick Maguire.]

It was a natural time and place for him to pause and reflect. A couple of minutes earlier – as he was coming up from Hyde Park Avenue to the local landmark – his phone app had registered 13.1 miles walked, the first steps of which he had taken about seven hours earlier in the commuter train lot at Cleary Square, and during which he had crisscrossed the northern half of Hyde Park to the Roslindale and Mattapan lines and then back again.

While Maguire’s zigzag path had targeted points of interest – mainly within Hyde Park’s often bypassed and overlooked interior – his itinerary served another equally important purpose: to create the distance necessary to complete a 26.2 mile walking marathon within the neighborhood, the first half of which he had logged two weeks earlier.

Beyond that, the marathon that he had just finished had brought him one step closer to achieving a far more ambitious goal: to walk a string of neighborhood marathons, in 13.1 mile segments every two weeks, that will span two years and encompass the entire city.

Maguire took the first steps of this journey in the heat of the late summer, completing his first two-part marathon in East Boston and throwing in a bonus walk covering Logan Airport for good measure. That under his belt, he set off on the first leg of Hyde Park on Sept. 30, a marked up and regularly consulted folding map and some index cards with bulleted destination points to feed to his smart phone’s GPS in his back pocket, and – on this particular morning – a two-person walking party to accompany him for a little while.

Climbing the stairs from the Hyde Park Station lot to the closed (but pedestrian accessible) 140-year-old River Street Bridge, he would go on to spend the day walking the southern half of the neighborhood, first to the edge of
Roslindale at Sherrin Woods, then to Georgetown and the West Roxbury line, back through Readville (while stopping for a sub at Tutto Italiano) on the Dedham side, crossing the tracks to Wolcott Square and Meigs Field, going down Truman Parkway to the Martini Shell, and then up Fairmount Hill along the Milton line to ultimately descend to where he had started that morning.

One block into the day, Maguire spoke of the origin of his nascent Walking Boston project as he passed the Henry Grew School on Gordon Avenue. His original idea had been to hit every street in the city. However, conceding that it was unrealistic and focusing on the Marathon’s importance to Boston – while noting its personal significance since he had run it once back in the ‘80s – he reduced that plan to walking 26.2miles “in every neighborhood that’s large enough,” which he counted at 23 or 24 (“depending on who you ask”) and estimated will add up to well over 600 miles of roadways. “It’s about shining a spotlight on the city and the real neighborhoods of Boston,” he explained. “As I like to say, the Public Garden is pretty, but it ain’t the neighborhoods of Boston.”

The walks themselves are casual but purposeful, with Maguire frequently stopping to take photos of whatever he
finds interesting, but rarely staying in one place for long, and with the disembodied voice from his MapMyWalk app prompting him with updates of his mileage and pace. Nonetheless, a major perk is to stop and engage, as he did over his two days in Hyde Park. Conversations observed during both of his half-marathons were with crossing guard Maureen O’Dowd at the Grew; Hyde Park BCYF Program Supervisor Matt O’Neil in front of Richy’s; barber George Jenkins at the Logan Square Barber Shop; painter Jen Vanora while touching up a Halloween mural (“Monster Party,” inspired by drawings from the Y’s after school program) at Ron’s Ice Cream; and a new homeowner near the Mattapan line regarding the NASA-quality satellite dish on his roof.

“They either think I’m a cop or a priest,” he commented, with some amusement, on his Walking Boston interactions. “And neither one of those institutions would have me.”

[Photo by Matthew MacDonald. From L to R, Maguire, Hyde Park ONS (Office of Neighborhood Services) Liaison, Denyel Fonseca, crossing guard, Marianne O’Dowd and Hyde Park resident, Quiana Agbai.]

Back at the station at the end of that first day, Maguire touched base with Hillary Muntz, senior manager of
community partnerships for Make-A-Wish MA & RI, with which he has established a fundraising partnership (a second non-profit beneficiary is Stride for Stride). “Our organization is super-appreciative of Patrick,” she said of the budding collaboration. “More and more, we’re seeing people come up with creative and fun ways to give back. They’re storytellers, but they’re also creating awareness of our mission.”

In keeping with the storyteller aspect of Walking Boston, Maguire – an aspiring author – posts a blog entry for
each day’s journey, a verification of its official distance and time, and a link to his photos arranged in chronological order. “The very important aspect of this is chronicling the experience,” he said of his excitement at sharing what he finds along the way. “Even if you detour a couple of blocks from your normal route to get where you’re going, you see so much more than you ever knew was out there.”

This was no more evident than on the morning of Maguire’s second Hyde Park walk, when searching for the 54th Regiment mural as suggested by an acquaintance with local knowledge. He found it under the Fairmount Bridge, visible but overlooked by commuter rail passengers and passers-by: a journey and chronicle of its own from Hyde Park’s distant past to its present, including much that Maguire had seen and would soon see.

“From neighborhood to neighborhood, the constant is the exploration, the discovery, and the adventure,” he summed up at the conclusion of that second day, back where he had begun. “I love it and I can’t wait for what each neighborhood has to reveal and offer.”

[Photo by Matthew MacDonald. Maguire and Hyde Park ONS Liaison, Denyel Fonseca at 54th Regiment Mural, Fairmount Bridge.]

From Patrick Maguire: Matt, it was an honor to share the roads of Hyde Park and the mission of #WalkingBoston with you. I am extremely grateful for your commitment and the pride you take in your work. Thank you.

Link to The Hyde Park Bulletin where the article above first appeared.

The pics under ‘Server Snapshots’ in this blog post are courtesy of Matthew MacDonald:

#1-Maguire with ONS Liaison, Denyel Fonseca (L) and Quiana Agbai (R) at Hyde Park Commuter Station w/map of the walking route.

#2-L to R, Denyel Fonseca, barber, George Jenkins at Logan Square barbershop, and Maguire.

#3-Maguire and Boston Centers for Youth & Families supervisor, Matt O’Neil outside Richy’s on River Street.

The 3 pics under ‘Boston & Beyond’ are from the ‘Hyde Park Part 2’ photo album chronicling the 13.48-mile walk that Matthew MacDonald joined me on.

Thank you to everyone who is following, supporting, and sharing the mission of #WalkingBoston. Now that I have completed more than 3 marathons (108.23 miles total) in Eastie, Hyde Park, JP, and half of the South End, I am in the process of negotiating sponsorships and collaborations with local companies and individuals, and I’m wide open to all creative ideas. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com.

Here are three current options to support #WalkingBoston:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz, Kara Walker & team for their professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail. Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom O’Keefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

Donations to Make-A-Wish and Stride for Stride are tax deductible.

#3- Several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston mission and expedite the publication of my #ServerNotServant book advocating for service industry workers and fellow humans. A grassroots fundraiser has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here.

To follow the progress of #WalkingBoston, including a schedule of upcoming walks (all welcome), enter your email under ‘Subscribe’ in the blue box on this blog, and/or follow @PatrickMBoston on Twitter and Instagram.

The next walk is scheduled for Saturday, 1/21 leaving Mike’s City Diner on Washington Street in the South End at 8am after breakfast. All are welcome to join for breakfast at 7am and/or any portion of the half marathon walk.

Thank you-Patrick

A few more pics from the Hyde Park walks:

[Painter, Jen Vanora at Ron’s Ice Cream.]

The distance of each walk is tracked and verified by the MapMyWalk app by Under Armour. The routes and distances for the 2 Hyde Park walks can be found by clicking on these links:

‘Hyde Park Part 1’ 14.28 miles.

‘Hyde Park Part 2’ 13.48 miles.

 

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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: South End Part 1

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 12/27/2022

Welcome to #WalkingBoston. To learn about the inspiration, mission, goals, and ongoing updates, please see the #WalkingBoston launch blog post

Total miles walked on the first 7 Boston walks to date in Eastie, Hyde Park, and Jamaica Plain = 94.99.

The #WalkingBoston journey continues on Friday, 12/30/22 in my old ‘stomping grounds.’ ‘South End Part 1’ leaves from Mike’s City Diner at 8am sharp. The weather looks tremendous for December, with a low of 39 degrees and a high in the low 50’s!! Early bird breakfast, stretching. and map/course review when the doors open at Mike’s at 7am. All are welcome to join, even just for breakfast and/or a portion of the walk.

[Please Note: A post-walk summary, reflections, and pics/videos from this walk will be included at the end of this blog post. Please check back for updates.]

Friday’s walk (13.1+ miles) will cover the entire length of Shawmut Ave (Orange on the map below) and explore as much territory south and west of Shawmut Ave as possible. As always, please send me ‘must see’ sights along the way, including ‘hidden gems,’ art, nature, parks, murals, history, architecture, Mom & Pop #SmallBiz, etc. I love getting suggestions in advance to include while mapping out the walks. The course will be finalized on Thursday, 12/29. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com or comment at the end of this post with suggestions.

If inspired by #WalkingBoston, please consider a donation to the following:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz, Kara Walker & team for their professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail. Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom OKeefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

Now that I have a completed more than 3 marathons (Eastie, Hyde Park, and JP), I’m in the process of negotiating sponsorships and collaborations with local companies and individuals, and I’m wide open to all creative ideas to raise money. Donations to Make-A-Wish and Stride for Stride are tax deductible.

#3- Lastly, several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston mission and expedite the publication of my #ServerNotServant book advocating for service industry workers and fellow humans. A grassroots fundraiser has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here. Thank you.

From the City of Boston website:

South End – At a Glance

Located just south of the Back Bay, the South End is an elegant residential neighborhood known for its Victorian townhouses and many small parks. The neighborhood was originally built on tidal flats during the mid-1800s, planned to attract the wealthy merchant class with a regular street grid, elegant townhouses, and thirty parks. Today it remains a popular residential area with a thriving restaurant and arts scene, and is the United States’ largest Victorian residential district. 

This diverse neighborhood is home to active young families, professionals, and immigrants, and is popular with Boston’s gay community. Residents of the South End inhabit a mix of historic brick town homes and publicly funded housing. The many parks, including the Southwest Corridor Path built over the depressed Orange Line train, offer green space to the area. The Boston Center for the Arts brings numerous performances to the neighborhood each year. 

The neighborhood’s restaurants, bars, galleries, and boutiques line Tremont and Washington Streets, and the summertime SoWa Open Market attracts artisans and shoppers from all over the city. Washington Gateway Main Street and the South End Business Alliance support local business owners. Cyclorama, a unique round conference space at the BCA, hosts public and private events. Major tenants of the neighborhood include Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine. 

Post-walk summary and reflections:

  • Rise and ‘shine’ at 5:30am. Never a problem on #GameDay. Lots to do between the alarm and getting out the door an hour and 10 minutes later…

  • Mapping the route was easier than the previous 3 neighborhoods because the streets are in a grid pattern. Shawmut Ave appears to split the South End right down the middle, so the plan was to walk from Mike’s City Diner down Washington Street, past Jim Rice field, down Ball Street to Shawmut Ave, then zig zag down every street between Shawmut and Washington to Chinatown. After that, same plan on every street between Washington and Harrison to Roxbury, then every street between Harrison Ave and Albany Street back to Chinatown.
  • Breakfast at Mike’s was delicious as always. I went with the turkey hash. Tremendous meal and hospitality from veteran server, Jany. Mike’s is a great American diner. My only ‘gripe’ was that I couldn’t carry my leftovers with me on the walk. Fortunately, I made a new friend who was thrilled to share with me. Problem solved.
  • It was 46 degrees when I left the house with a high temperature predicted at 56. It eventually got to 63. Perfect day for a late December walk. A Champion sweatshirt with no hoodie over it was the right call, despite being chilly at the outset.
  • The early-morning sunlight was beautiful on the gorgeous on the old, copper-laden buildings. I love the green patina…

  • Despite having lived in the South End for 10+ years, I discovered SO many new sights on this walk. Every single walk I complete validates the notion that there is so much to discover in our own ‘back yards’ of Boston’s neighborhoods. I don’t care how long anyone has lived in Boston, there’s more to see.
  • The architecture in the South End is stunning. This is the Allen House on the corner of Washington Street and Worcester Square…

  • Loving my new ‘Fresh Foam’ kicks from New Balance. Stay tuned for a collaboration that I’m very optimistic about…

  • I love meeting nice folks and their companions along the way…

  • SO many great parks in the South End.
  • I love the Puerto Rican Veterans Memorial across from the Holy Cross Cathedral.
  • Foodie’s Urban Market is an excellent city convenience shop.
  • The Sahara building is one of the most intriguing and iconic in the South End…

  • Kudos to J.J. Foley’s, established in 1909. Despite their old school street cred and longevity, they pay attention to social media and immediately responded when I posted this pic on my IG and Facebook stories during the walk. One of the best Irish pubs in Boston.

  • I love the variety of colored doors amongst the brown/brick ‘stones’…

  • Speaking of ‘old school.’ As the kids say, #IYKYK…

  • A great way to end the walk…

  • This photo album chronicles the 13.24-mile journey of ‘South End Part 1.’ Click here.
  • Here is the map and proof of 13.24 miles covered: MapMyWalk 
  • After ‘South End Part 1,’ the total official #WalkingBoston miles = 108.23.
  • Weather permitting, ‘South End Part 2’ is scheduled for Friday, 1/20. Breakfast at 7am, and departure from Mike’s City Diner on Washington Street at 8am sharp.

Thanks to everyone following, supporting, and sharing the #WalkingBoston mission.

Cheers-Patrick

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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain Part 2

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 11/8/2022

Welcome to #WalkingBoston. To learn about the inspiration, mission, goals, and ongoing updates, please see the #WalkingBoston launch blog post.

Total miles walked on the first 6 Boston walks to date in Eastie, Hyde Park, and ‘Jamaica Plain Part 1’ = 81.89.

‘Jamaica Plain Part 1’ covered 15 miles, including a lap around the pond, Green Street, Franklin Park, Forest Hills Cemetery, the Arboretum, and as much territory as possible south of Green Street. See pics, map, and summary here.

The #WalkingBoston journey continues on Friday, 11/11. ‘Jamaica Plain Part 2’ leaves from the Jamaica Pond Boat House at 8am sharp. Early bird stretching and map/course review at 7:40. All are welcome to join.

[Please Note: A post-walk summary, reflections, and pics/videos from this walk will be included at the end of this blog post.]

Friday’s walk (13.1+ miles) will head towards Willow Pond Meadow and through Olmstead Park. The route will then cover territory north of Green Street, including Hyde Square, the murals in Mozart Park, and explore as much territory in the map below as possible. As always, please send me ‘must see’ sights along the way, including ‘hidden gems,’ art, nature, murals, history, architecture, Mom & Pop #SmallBiz, etc. I love getting suggestions in advance to include them while mapping out the walks. The course will be finalized on Thursday, 11/10. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com or comment at the end of this post.

If inspired by #WalkingBoston, please consider a donation of any size to the following:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz, Kara Walker & team for their professionalism and attention to detail. Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom OKeefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

Now that I have a completed 2+ marathons (Eastie, Hyde Park, and half of JP), I’m in the process of negotiating sponsorships and collaborations with local companies and individuals, and wide open to all of your ideas to raise money. Donations to Make-A-Wish and Stride for Stride are tax deductible.

#3- Lastly, several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston mission and expedite the publication of my #ServerNotServant book advocating for service industry workers. A grassroots fundraiser of small donations has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here.

From the City of Boston website:

Jamaican Plain – At a Glance: Originally a summertime resort destination for Bostonians, Jamaica Plain (JP) is a classic streetcar suburb of Boston. Located southwest of Downtown Boston, JP was annexed by the City in 1874. Jamaica Plain has consistently been an important center for residential life, arts, and commerce for the City of Boston.

JP’s residential streets, filled with iconic triple-decker houses in imaginative colors, are home to Latinos, young families, a growing gay community, and young professionals. A real jewel of JP is 68-acre Jamaica Pond. It is popular with local residents for fishing, sailing, and running along its 1.5 mile shore path.  The 265-acre Arnold Arboretum, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offers a botanical oasis in the heart of the city.

Jamaica Plain is easily accessible by the Southwest Corridor, MBTA trains, and buses. The main transit hub for the area is Forest Hill Station. Since the eighteenth century, Centre Street has been a major retail street for the community in Jamaica Plain. JP’s diversity of residents is reflected in the businesses with a range of ethnic restaurants and stores animating Centre Street. Egleston Square Main Street, Hyde Jackson Square Main Street Program, and JP Centre/South Main Streets support local business owners.

Thank you for following, supporting, and sharing the mission of #WalkingBoston. Please subscribe to this blog and follow @PatrickMBoston on Twitter and IG for updates. I hope to see some of you #ontheroad in the heart of Boston’s neighborhoods on the #roadslesstraveled.

Cheers-Patrick

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