Category: In The News

Patch – “Activists Call For Protected Bike Lane On Canal Bridge”

Patch – “Activists Call For Protected Bike Lane On Canal Bridge”

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Patch: “Activists Call For Protected Bike Lane On Canal Bridge”

“This isn’t a new issue to MassDOT and DCR. Transportation advocates have been discussing safe bike facilities on the Craigie Dam and Longfellow Bridge with state agencies since at least 2009,” said Wendy Landman, executive director of WalkBoston also in a statement. “Not only is this the right action to take for the safety of people biking, it is also the right action for the safety of people walking because it means that bicyclists do not ride on the sidewalk.”

Posted December 19, 2018

MassLive – “‘It’s going to be a legacy project;’ South Boston community wrestles with vision for historic Northern Avenue Bridge”

MassLive – “‘It’s going to be a legacy project;’ South Boston community wrestles with vision for historic Northern Avenue Bridge”

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MassLive: “‘It’s going to be a legacy project;’ South Boston community wrestles with vision for historic Northern Avenue Bridge”

But among various neighborhood groups like the Wharf District Council, Walk Boston, The Fort Point Neighborhood Association and six others, consensus on at least one element of the bridge is clear: no cars.

“People danced on the bridge, people had their photographs taken on the bridge…People remembered that bridge,” Anita Johnson, a member of Walk Boston, said to applause at the community meeting.

“I ask you to consider keeping that bridge a pedestrian bridge,” Johnson added. “Those are the uses that make people happy, and that’s important to us.”

Posted November 28, 2018

Boston Globe – “Ceremonies remember BU grad student, other cyclists killed on the road”

Boston Globe – “Ceremonies remember BU grad student, other cyclists killed on the road”

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Boston Globe: “Ceremonies remember BU grad student, other cyclists killed on the road”

From the State House, the mourners marched silently to Boston City Hall.

“Our silence is meant to remind decision-makers that we don’t need more words; we need more actions to make our streets safer for everybody,” said Wendy Landman, executive director of WalkBoston.

Posted November 19, 2018

Boston.com – “Should the Boston speed limit be 20 mph? Some say things need to change to make the city’s streets safer.”

Boston.com – “Should the Boston speed limit be 20 mph? Some say things need to change to make the city’s streets safer.”

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Boston dot com: “Should the Boston speed limit be 20 mph? Some say things need to change to make the city’s streets safer.”

Among several residents and associations who spoke before councilors, Adi Nochur, project manager for WalkBoston, which works to make walking easier and safer in the state, said the proposed speed limit change is essentially about street design.

“It is about traffic calming, and it’s a fundamental matter of equity as well — how do we make sure all neighborhoods get traffic calming and how are we prioritizing areas that have been historically underinvested?” he said.

Posted November 13, 2018

Neighborhood View – “Frank Stella: An iconic artist returns home”

Neighborhood View – “Frank Stella: An iconic artist returns home”

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Neighborhood View: “Frank Stella: An iconic artist returns home”

In 2012, local artist and Malden resident Sharon Santillo reached out to Stella to reconnect with his hometown. As the chairperson on the newly formed Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Walkability, Santillo came up with the idea of  incorporating Stella’s artwork into wayfinding signs throughout the city; these signs tell how long a walk it is to key city destinations.

“I contacted his office requesting copyright permission and at first his office was unclear on what I was asking,” said Santillo. “So I sent him a mock-up of the idea using downloaded images of his artwork. I know the copyright rules, so I was holding my breath that they would understand it was just for them to get a visual!” She was thrilled that her efforts over many months resulted in a resounding “yes” from the artist, granting permission, free of charge.

At the WalkBoston “Golden Shoe” ceremony. From left: Sharon Santillo, artist/Malden activist; Frank Stella; Wendy Landman, WalkBoston Executive Director; and Gary Christenson, Mayor of Malden. (Photo by Paul Hammersley, 3MG)

When the signs received recognition from WalkBoston for being the first to combine fine art with wayfinding, Santillo again reached out to the artist to invite him to the “Golden Shoe Award” ceremony at MIT. (The New England Resource and Development Center at MIT holds several of Stella’s works in its gallery collection.) To her great surprise and delight, he accepted the invitation and attended the ceremony where he was presented with his own Golden Shoe. A cadre of Malden arts enthusiasts came out for the event and met with Stella, including Dora St. Martin, the Executive Director of the Malden Public Library.

Posted November 9, 2018