Server Not Servant

#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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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain Part 1

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 10/25/2022

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 5 Boston walks to date in Eastie and Hyde Park = 66.89

The #WalkingBoston journey continues on Friday, 10/28. ‘Jamaica Plain Part 1’ 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 post.]

Friday’s walk (13.1+ miles) will begin with a lap around Jamaica Pond, then down Green Street to Franklin Park. The route will then cover territory south of Green Street, including Forest Hills Cemetary and the Arboretum. 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, 10/27. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com or comment at the end of this post.

The second JP walk is scheduled for Friday, November 11 leaving the JP Boat House at 8am (weather permitting).

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), 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.

 Updated 11/7/22: Post-walk summary, observations, and reflections:

• Total distance ‘Jamaica Plain Part 1’ = 15 miles in 9 hours. Map and verification via MapMyWalk
• Total #WalkingBoston miles covered in first 6 walks = 81.89
• Link to Google Photo Album with pics and videos in chronological order of ‘JP Part 1.’
• It was 39 degrees when I left the house. It’s always a challenge deciding what to wear, a balance between being warm enough in the morning and not too hot when it warms up during the day.
• I ‘cheated’ and took a Lyft to the start of this walk. Too much time (an hour and a half) commuting to my last walk. Lyft driver was a very interesting gentleman from Ethiopia. He taught me that there are 84 tribes and languages there, and that the 3 primaries are Amharic, Oroma, and Tigrinya.
• Jamaica Pond attracts lots of humans and animals early in the morning. While stretching, I’m always wondering if anyone near me has come to join me. No one did until after a few strides into the walk…
• It was wonderful to lap the pond with David Doyle, co-owner of Tres Gatos, Casa Verde, and Tonino restaurants in JP. David was great company and has a very good eye for photography. I felt like we could have walked and talked all day.
• Here is the map of the territory covered on ‘JP Part 1.’ I love having the large maps in my back pocket (literally) and pull them out when I need ‘big picture’ orientation…

• I spent a portion of the walk in Roslindale and need to do a better job of researching neighborhood boundaries when plotting the courses.
• Walking Jamaica Pond is a GREAT way to start the day. Now that it’s dark early, I see many more days beginning with an early morning walk here:

• Franklin Park is a beautiful walk in the woods…

• Forrest Hills Cemetery is incredible. It’s ironic to be in the midst of so much death and beauty. The history, stonework, etchings, structures, and grounds are amazing. And being there peak fall punctuated the experience I could have spent an entire day wandering around and admiring everything. One of the highlights of all of my walks so far was standing in the middle of the cemetery at 10am and capturing the bells ringing on video. Check it out in the photo album.

• There’s always something new and magnificent to discover at the Arboretum. On this walk it was the Chinese Path in the Explorer’s Garden…

• So many magnificent, old homes if JP. The Victorians are gorgeous. Here is just a small sampling:

• And I love the murals and motivation at Murphy Playground:

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 #roadslesstraveled.

Cheers-Patrick

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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: Hyde Park Part 2

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 10/12/2022

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

Total miles walked in Hyde Park during ‘HP Part 1’ = 14.28.

Total miles walked on first 4 Boston walks to date = 53.41.

The #WalkingBoston journey continues on Saturday, 10/15. ‘Hyde Park Part 2’ leaves the Hyde Park Commuter Rail T station at 9am sharp. Early bird stretching and map/course review at 8:40. All are welcome to join.

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

Saturday’s walk will cover the area on the map below, after splitting Hyde Park into two, 13.1+ mile walks. The route will head North and West, pushing up against the borders of Mattapan, Roslindale, and West Roxbury. 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, 10/13. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com or comment at the end of this post.

Please consider even a small donation inspired by #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 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 few walks in the books, I’m in the process of negotiating sponsorships and collaborations with local companies and individuals, and wide open to all ideas. 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 #HumanToHumanService. A grassroots fundraiser of small donations has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here.

Hyde Park ‘At a Glance’ from the Boston Planning & Development Agency Website:

Tucked into the southwest corner of Boston, Hyde Park was the last town to be annexed by Boston in 1912. The area was established in the 1660s and grew into a hub of paper and cotton manufacturing in the eighteenth century. The extension of rail lines from Boston in the 1850s spurred the area’s residential development. Today, Hyde Park offers its residents a unique blend of accessible city amenities and quiet suburban lifestyle. 

Hyde Park is home to an increasingly diverse population who reside in a mix of historic buildings and mid-twentieth century single-family homes. The Neponset River, the municipal George Wright Golf Course, and the Stony Brook Reservation provide significant open and green space.

Cleary and Logan Squares anchor the commercial activity of the area. Small shops and restaurants line Hyde Park Avenue, River Street, and Fairmount Avenue and many business owners in Hyde Park are supported by Hyde Park Main Streets. Downtown Boston is only a train ride away via the Fairmount or Providence Commuter Rail Lines. A thriving industrial section of the neighborhood is home to numerous businesses.

Update 10/24/22: Post-walk summary, observations, and reflections:

• Miles walked ‘Hyde Park Part 2’ = 13.48 Verification & Map via MapMyWalk.
• Total miles walked in 2 Hyde Park walks = 27.76
• Total miles walked in Eastie & Hyde Park = 66.89
• The walk was rescheduled to Saturday, 10/15 because of rain on Friday morning.
• Once again, it was wonderful to have the support and company of Denyel Fonseca, City of Boston Office Neighborhood Services (ONS) Liaison for Hyde Park. Denyel was waiting when I arrived and helped to clarify the Hyde Park borders as we put some finishing touches on the route.

I love the work of American journalist, George Plimpton, well known for “participatory journalism,” recording his experiences after his involvement with professional sports teams, acting, performing comedy, and playing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Thus, to my delight, when Matt MacDonald, reporter for The Bulletin arrived at the Hyde Park Commuter Rail parking lot, I learned that he planned to join me for the duration of the walk. Not only did Matt make it the entire distance, his insight, knowledge, and history of Hyde Park was 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 with Matt. I’m grateful for his company and commitment. Thus, my tweet the day after our walk…

• I bartended for many years and heard many stories that will remain in ‘the vault’ forever.
• The murals, often imbedded deep into the neighborhoods, are one of my favorite discoveries of the walks. This one, with Mayor Menino in the middle is a beauty…

• George, the Barber running Logan Square Barber Shop solo, was one of the nicest humans to chat with on my Boston walks so far. (Elvis was not in the building, Adam G.)

• I LOVE old signs like the Riverside Theatre Works.
• The murals under the overpass and around the corner honoring the 54th Regiment are Hyde Park treasures. Please see the video in the link below.
• There are lots of beautiful, old homes in Hyde Park.

• There are not nearly as many multi-family homes in Hyde Park as there are in Eastie. it would be interesting to see a breakdown comparing the #’s.
• I need to learn more about the ‘Urban Wild’ designation, including funding and future plans for sites like the West Street Urban Wild (not accessible).
• I love old stone walls…

• It was a pleasure to chat with artist, Jen Vanora and enjoy her beautiful mural at Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream and Bowling.

• The pistachio ice cream cone at Ron’s was delicious.
• Thanks to Matt, we ended our walk with a meaningful visit to the Grimké Sisters Bridge:

Thanks to everyone who recommended Hyde Park destinations for #WalkingBoston. Please keep the ideas coming for all future walks. The Google Photo Album, with pics and videos in chronological order of the walk, can be viewed here.

Thank you for joining, supporting, and sharing the exploration and celebration of Boston’s neighborhoods.

Grateful-Patrick

PS-Please follow Twitter and IG @PatrickMBoston and subscribe to this blog to follow the journey.

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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: Hyde Park Part 1

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 9/28/2022

Welcome. Thank you for following, supporting, and sharing the adventure. To learn more about the inspiration, mission, goals, and ongoing updates, please see the #WalkingBoston launch blog post.

Total miles walked over the first 3 walks in Eastie = 39.13 miles. Details, including photo albums in chronological order, can be found in previous blog posts.

The #WalkingBoston journey continues on Friday, 9/30. ‘Hyde Park Part 1’ leaves the Hyde Park Commuter Rail T station at 8am sharp. Early bird stretching and map/course review at 7:40. All are welcome to join. Friday’s walk will cover the area to the south of the line on the map below, splitting Hyde Park into two 13.1+ mile walks. We will walk North to Sherrin Woods, then zig zag East and West to the Milton and Dedham borders. As always, please send me “must see” sights along the way. I love getting suggestions in advance so I can include them while mapping out the walks. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com.

‘Hyde Park Part 2,’ noted on the map will also leave from the Hyde Park Commuter Rail station on Friday, 10/14 at 8am, weather permitting. Please subscribe to this blog for updates and follow on Twitter and IG @PatrickMBoston.

Please consider even a small donation inspired by #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 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.

I am in the process of negotiating collaborations with several companies and wide open to all ideas. 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 #HumanToHumanService. A grassroots fundraiser of small donations has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here.

Hyde Park ‘At a Glance’ from the Boston Planning & Development Agency Website:

Tucked into the southwest corner of Boston, Hyde Park was the last town to be annexed by Boston in 1912. The area was established in the 1660s and grew into a hub of paper and cotton manufacturing in the eighteenth century. The extension of rail lines from Boston in the 1850s spurred the area’s residential development. Today, Hyde Park offers its residents a unique blend of accessible city amenities and quiet suburban lifestyle. 

Hyde Park is home to an increasingly diverse population who reside in a mix of historic buildings and mid-twentieth century single-family homes. The Neponset River, the municipal George Wright Golf Course, and the Stony Brook Reservation provide significant open and green space.

Cleary and Logan Squares anchor the commercial activity of the area. Small shops and restaurants line Hyde Park Avenue, River Street, and Fairmount Avenue and many business owners in Hyde Park are supported by Hyde Park Main Streets. Downtown Boston is only a train ride away via the Fairmount or Providence Commuter Rail Lines. A thriving industrial section of the neighborhood is home to numerous businesses.

10/9/22 Update: Post-walk summary, observations, and reflections:

• It was dark when I left the house. It reminded me of skiing with my dad as a kid. Our goal was to be the first ones in the parking lot at Mt. Sunapee in New Hampshire to get a full day in.
• After settling on, and sharing, the Hyde Park T Station as the meeting and starting point, I discovered that the Commuter Rail outbound does not stop at Hyde Park station early in the morning. Another rookie mistake. Rather than change the meeting/starting location, I researched ‘Plan B’ for getting to 1 Pingree Street (T station)…

• After leaving the house at 6:11am, I arrived at the Hyde Park Station at approximately 7:40, an hour and a half commute to the beginning of the walk.
• It was wonderful to have the support and company of Denyel Fonseca, City of Boston Office Neighborhood Services (ONS) Liaison for Hyde Park. Denyel invited Hyde Park residents and media to join us, and 2 others did for a few miles. Denyel also informed me that Fridays are #ONSFieldFridays when all city liaisons are encouraged to be out in their districts, another perfect fit for the mission of #WalkingBoston highlighting each neighborhood. As a result, most future walks will be scheduled on Fridays, and all liaisons and their networks will be invited to participate and collaborate. It will be great to partner with the liaisons to discover hidden gems and ‘must see’ destinations to record and share in these blog posts.
• As much as we bitch about condos replacing ‘Old Boston,’ it’s nice to see longstanding people, places, and traditions and people still going strong. Case in point, the gentleman at the Back Bay T Station still selling newspapers. If anyone knows his name and how many years he’s been at it, please share in the comments. I’ll find out next time I see him if no one beats me to it.
• As the City of Boston ‘At a Glance’ suggested, much of Hyde Park has a spread out, suburban feel.
•  The splashes of early fall colors are awesome. Nice to know that the drought didn’t kill the prospect of a great foliage season.
• SO many Crossing Guards are nice people…
• The Olsen public pool facility is very impressive.
• You can find beauty even on non-descript stretches of road while walking that you would miss in a car or even on a bike.
• BC Baking Co. on Como Road is an old school treasure.
• Every time I read a monument or a sign dedicating a square to someone, I want to know the person and their story…

• Tutto Italiano is a very serious, delicious operation. Check out the video in the photo album.
• I love discovering the murals within each neighborhood.
• Great to meet and chat with 30+ year veteran of the Roosevelt School, Sharon, who explained the history and name changes of the school, dating back to its ‘Hemenway School’ origin.
• After the walk, a reporter asked me about the differences between Eastie and Hyde Park. Eastie is a lot denser than Hyde Park, with many more multi-families. Hyde Park is more single families with bigger yards. As for similarities, on every adventure there’s discovery. I literally never know what’s around the corner, and I’m loving the journey.

There are a handful of pics from my walk at the bottom of this post, but I encourage you to view the full album in chronological order of ‘Hyde Park Part 1’ here.

‘Hyde Park Part 1’ covered 14.28 miles. Verification here.

Total miles walked to date = 53.41

Thank you for joining, supporting, and sharing the exploration and celebration of Boston’s neighborhoods. If inspired, please see the links above for ways to donate as little as $5 to support the missions of #WalkingBoston. I hope to see some of you #ontheroad.

Cheers-Patrick

Great to have Quiana Agbai (L) and Denyel Fonseca join me as my first walking companions.

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