Happy Easter
The students in South Boston Catholic Academy had a chance to celebrate Easter with their classmates and participate in many great Easter projects. We focused on Holy Week: Jesus’s final days—Palm Sunday (Jesus entering Jerusalem), Holy Thursday (Jesus’ last supper), and Good Friday (the sadness of Jesus’ death), and Easter Sunday. These sacred days focus on Jesus’s immense love, his death on the cross to take away sins, and his resurrection (coming back to life). Jesus’ immense love bridges the gap between humanity and God.
A Big Thank You to our fantastic
SBCA Student Council members, Ms. Stephanie Olsen and Ms. Lauren Monaghan who hosted a fun Easter Egg Hunt for Grades K1 to 6th during their scheduled recess times. The eggs contained small prizes such as stickers, TAG Day passes, or homework passes for one subject. Thank you to all our dedicated teachers and staff for making it another wonderful Easter at SBCA and in the Early Childhood Center!
On behalf of our Principal, Dr. Helenann Civian, and all of us at South Boston Catholic Academy and at the Early Childhood Center, we hope everyone will have a Blessed and Happy Easter!
Councilors Flynn and Murphy Hold Hearing on BPS Bus Delays
Boston City Councilors
Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy held a hearing to discuss chronic Boston Public Schools (BPS) school bus delays and special education transportation failures. BPS Transportation serves approximately 22,000 students and transports them across the city’s nine different districts every day.
BPS transportation still has not reached the 95% on-time arrival rate, with reports indicating BPS has only maintained a 90% on-time arrival rate in the morning, and merely 84% in the afternoon. Many parents continue to contact the city regarding excessive delays and changes in their child’s bus route, many of which had not been communicated with in advance.
Over the last several years, the unreliable use of the Zum app for BPS parents and families has seemingly exacerbated these issues. Many parents have written to city officials and their elected
representatives about excessive delays for pick up and drop off, having to consistently drive their children due to buses failing to show up at all, the app becoming unavailable, or children having to provide directions to bus drivers.
BPS parents testified about the difficulties they have experienced with BPS transportation, including long afternoons wondering where their children were, and days of late starts at work due to delayed morning pickups. Some parents even testified that their child’s bus was delayed on the morning of the hearing. Parents also noted that BPS has the ability to fine Transdev $500 for every trip that is over an hour late or does not show up at all. The Administration indicated that BPS has not been following through on those fines, despite a sharp increase in school bus delays since December. Reimbursement for Ubers/Lyfts to or from school is available for families with Individualized
Education Programs (IDPs).
“It is unacceptable that for the last several years, BPS families and students with disabilities have had to endure the uncertainty as to whether their bus would arrive a half hour late, an hour late, or if it would arrive at all,” said Councilor Flynn. “We can’t continue to normalize the chronic disruption for our school community, disregard the safety of our children, or downplay the negative impacts on quality of life for so many BPS families.”
“I want to thank the families, students, and educators who came forward and told the truth about what they are dealing with every day on our Boston Public Schools buses. What we heard at the hearing is not a delay problem, it is a system failure. Parents are building their own backup transportation systems, coordinating carpools and last-minute rides, just to get their kids to and from school. Students are missing breakfast, missing
classroom instruction, and in some cases missing entire days of school because the bus is late, canceled, or never shows up. Families are missing work, paying out of pocket for rides, and scrambling to make it all work, while teachers and school staff are staying late after dismissal to make sure students are safe. This is an equity issue. The families who can figure it out will, and the families who cannot are the ones most impacted. We are spending nearly $200 million on student transportation, yet ridership continues to decline and the system is not getting better. The expectation is simple. Buses should show up, on time, every day. No parent in Boston should have to wonder if their child made it to school safely or is sitting somewhere unaccounted for,” said Councilor Murphy. For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.
The Parishes of St. Monica & St. Peter Lithuanian
Holy Week Mass Schedule
Holy Thursday
7:00 p.m. - St Peter (Mass in Lithuanian)
7:00 p.m. - St Monica English/Spanish
Good Friday
3:00 p.m. - St Monica - English
7:00 p.m. - Spanish St Monica Spanish
7:00 p.m. - St Peter English/Lithuanian
Easter Sunday
9:00 a.m - St Peter - English
10:30 a.m. - St Peter (Mass in Lithuanian)
10:30 a.m. - St Monica - English
12:30 p.m. - St. Monica Spanish
Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Parishes with St. Augustine Chapel
Holy Week and Easter Mass Schedule
Holy Thursday - April 2nd
7:00 p.m. at St. Brigid Church
Good Friday - April 3rd
3:00 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Church
4:30 p.m. at St. Augustine Chapel
7:00 p.m. at St. Brigid Church
Easter Vigil – April 4th
7:30 p.m. at Gate of Heavan Church
Easter Sunday - April 5th
6:20 a.m. Mass at Sunrise on Castle Island
8:00 a.m. at St. Brigid Church
9:00 a.m. at Gate of Heaven Church
10:30 a.m. at St. Brigid Church
12:00 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Church
NO 6:00 p.m. Mass on Easter Sunday
Fourth Presbyterian Church
Easter Sunrise Service - April 5 at 6:10 a.m, at Carson Beach with Roxbury Presbyterian Church
Sunday, April 5: Easter Breakfast and Children’s Egg Hunt (Church Hall, 9:15am)
Senate Acts on Sen. Collins Bill to Protect Fire Fighters & Public
Legislation advances WalshKennedy Commission recommendation
Senator Nick Collins celebrated the Senate’s passage of S.1646, An Act relative to violation of regulation regarding hot work processes, legislation aimed at strengthening oversight of hazardous “hot work” activities such as welding and other spark-producing construction work that can pose serious risks to firefighters, construction workers, and the public.
The legislation would require consistent tracking and notification of hot work code violations, helping advance reforms recommended by a special commission formed after the tragic 2014 Back Bay fire. That fire, which was started by
Care With Confidence
Alzheimer’s Support Group Compass on the Bay April 14, 2026, 12:00 pm at South Boston Neighborhood House, 136 H Street, South Boston
Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. RSVP to Carole Sullivan at csullivan@sbnh.org or call 617268-1619 for more information. This group will be held on the second Tuesday of each month, and is sponsored by South Boston Neighborhood House and Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston.
nearby welding work, claimed the lives of Boston Fire Department Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy.
Senator Collins served on the Walsh-Kennedy Commission following the tragedy and has worked closely with the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and Boston Firefighters Local 718 to advance these reforms session after session.
“The Senate’s action today advances critical reforms shaped by the work of the WalshKennedy Commission,” said
Senator Collins. “The loss of BFD Lt. Ed Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy is still felt deeply today, and the work to improve our laws continues in their memory. By strengthening training, oversight, and accountability around hot work and welding, we are creating safer conditions for our firefighters, the building trades, and the public. While we have made progress in our state and local regulations, this legislation would build upon that progress and codify these enhanced
protections into state law.”
The legislation would require the Commonwealth to track written notices of code violations related to hot work—including welding, plasma cutting, and other spark-producing construction activities— and make that information available to the public through an online database and automated notification system.
The Senate voted to pass the bill Monday and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.
Councilors Flynn and Murphy File Hearing Order on Boston Police Staffing Levels
Boston City Councilors
Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy filed a hearing order to discuss staffing levels in the Boston Police Department (BPD). The longstanding issues of understaffing, overstretched resources, forced overtime, and looming retirements at the Boston Police Department is a public safety and public health emergency, which also disregards officers’ personal
physical and emotional well-being, as well as that of their families.
In July of 1980, the minimum number of patrolmen at a given time for the Boston Police Department rose from 2,300 to 2,500 by law in the City Municipal Code to ensure adequate staffing among detailing projects and other police duties.The increase in voluntary retirement and resignations resulted in mandatory overtime for police
officers. In fact, resignations rose from one in 2018 to thirty six in 2022, while voluntary retirement rose from seventeen in 2018 to 127 in 2022. Current staff is ordered to fill those gaps, resulting in the physical and emotional burnout in the officers, and potentially diminished ability to serve Boston residents.
The environment at the Boston Police Department must be one that fosters a strong relationship within
the community. It is important that there is trust between officers and the residents, and officers and their superiors. Officers who feel valued and respected are more likely to have positive interactions with the public, ultimately improving trust and cooperation through community policing.
Boston Police needs a consistent influx of recruits to replace those that are retiring, resigning, and transferring to other police departments throughout Massachusetts to help prevent shortages. There are several recruiting practices that can be put in place to increase staffing, including mentorship programs, incentive programs, and community outreach.
“Having sufficient police staffing levels is critical to help make the streets of Boston safer for all neighbors, and to improve the health and quality of life of our dedicated police officers. The issues of understaffing, mandated overtime and overstretched resources will not be resolved without a commitment to hire hundreds of officers every year for an extended period of time,” said Councilor Flynn. “In my opinion, it is not okay for officers to be mandated to work excessive hours. This is a public health and public safety issue that we need to address for our residents, our police officers, and their families.”
“An unacceptable risk to individual and public health arises in all of Boston’s neighborhoods when the people who are entrusted with keeping the City safe are overworked and stretched too far,” said Councilor Erin Murphy. “The hiring, retention, and full staffing of our Police Department provide the people of Boston with the highest quality public health and public safety services possible, and those services are essential to ensuring Boston is the world-class city it can be and the world-class city the people of Boston deserve.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617635-3203 or Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.
The BLO Opera + Community Studios Hold Opening Night in South Boston
by Rick Winterson
The Boston Lyric Opera (the BLO) was founded in 1976; this year it celebrates its 50th Anniversary in our City. And the BLO has some important news to announce!
Over the years, the BLO became known as an “installation opera company”, meaning that they produced masterpiece works within unusual structures and places. As just one example, the BLO put on a full-length opera (with its own complete orchestra) in the Flynn Waterfront facility two years ago. And you are also aware that three years ago, the BLO relocated to South Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood in a rented space at 15 Channel Center.
Well, the important news is that the BLO has just opened a completely renovated facility in Channel Center they call “Boston Lyric Opera’s Opera + Community Studios”. Here at South Boston Online, we can only share BLO’s delight at having their own truly professional facility. The studios amount to more than 15,000 square feet – over one-third of an acre. The BLO fundraiser goal
indicates that their investment could be more than $10 million.
The first two productions in the Opera + Community Studios have now been performed. During March, a recital by operatic soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis was followed by six performances of Gustav Mahler’s “Song of the Earth” – a fully staged translation of Mahler’s highly contemplative musical creation that takes 90 minutes to perform. It was a pleasure to enjoy fine music wellperformed in a striking structure, which not only has a beautiful stage, but is also within convenient walking distance for many in the audience – including this writer.
On many occasions, the BLO will still perform operas
in other, larger theaters. For instance, late in April, they’ll open “Daughter of the Regiment” at the Emerson Colonial. This classic comic opera by Donizetti will be staged in memory of Deborah Sampson, the female colonial soldier from Plympton, MA, who (in disguise) served in George
Washington’s Revolutionary Army.
But it’s important to note that the BLO now has a place to develop all their works of musical arts, including room for their orchestra to practice. Their Opera + Community Studios provide a very important feature to the BLO as well: a dedicated place to hold all rehearsals. Depending upon the opera to be performed, the number of rehearsals can be many more than the number of actual performances. Previously, the BLO had to rent various spaces all around Boston, which was a major inconvenience. Now operas will all be put together onsite. South Boston Online will close by stating once again how gratifying it is to have a versatile space for performing arts here in Fort Point.
SPOKE Comes Home!
By Rick Winterson
SPOKE is certainly an arresting, attentiongetting name, especially when it’s the title of a South Boston organization devoted to community services. Prior names came and went over the years, as SPOKE grew into a diverse, nonprofit pillar of our community. It has literally served thousands, both here and in other parts of the City.
South Boston’s Michael Dowling is the Founder of SPOKE. Some 35 years ago in 1991, Michael began his efforts to provide services to the community. These efforts were focused on the use of art to create vibrant communities, and even to aid in maintaining the health of the community members. “Art is the threshold to a room where we all belong” is a quote that SPOKE uses to describe the value of art.
As you might have suspected,
given the fast-moving, fast-growing real estate situation in South Boston, a space where SPOKE could expand was often hard to find. In years past, SPOKE had frequently served its purpose in converted warehouses, first along Damrell and then on K Street and finally ending up on Summer Street. But in all these cases, room to grow was quite limited.
Eventually, the need for SPOKE’s services simply outgrew all of its past locations.
As of March 1, the lease on SPOKE’s Summer Street facility expired. Since then, they have moved into truly spacious premises in the street floor of the most recent addition to the Old Colony/Anne Lynch Homes. That addition stretches along Columbia Road where it intersects Old Harbor Street, and it’s in two parts. One part contains the SPOKE studios and workshops; the other houses the SPOKE offices and gallery. Both parts look out onto a well-designed courtyard. There’s ample area for SPOKE to grow in the future, and it carries a long, multi-year lease.
To celebrate the opening of SPOKE, Michael emceed a bounteous supper for members and contributors at the Union Club last week. It was a marvelous event that delighted SPOKE’s supporters. During a brief interview, he stated, “The new SPOKE location is beyond my wildest dreams.” Yes, SPOKE has finally found a permanent home!
The start-up phase of SPOKE’s
move to new quarters is now essentially complete. All SPOKE programs and offerings are fully functioning. A formal opening of its new premises will take place in a couple of months – early in June. As 2026 progresses, the services that SPOKE now offers will of course expand. Currently, 66 young folks are being schooled in the visual/studio arts at the new SPOKE location. Adult education in the arts will continue as well, and it will include an artists’ retreat this summer. HIV and worldwide AIDS awareness is a SPOKE program that goes from December 1st to the next December 1st each year. And there are many other services that SPOKE offers – locally and citywide. For example, you might not be aware that SPOKE members created a park from “No Man’s Land”, the crescent-shaped acre of land in back of the high school. Thirty (30) years ago, Michael and his SPOKE members took charge of No Man’s Land; over the years, they have turned it into a uniquely attractive, multilevel urban woodland and walkway.
City of Boston will lead service activities and calls on community-based organizations and residents to plan One Boston Day volunteer opportunities
The annual call to action for communitybased organizations, businesses, and city of Boston residents to come together for volunteer events and acts of kindness in recognition of our City’s spirit of care for one another in response to the tragic events of April 15, 2013. One Boston Day, observed on April 15, honors the victims, survivors, and first responders of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Mayor Wu is encouraging acts of kindness on Wednesday, April 15, and for people to take part in volunteer opportunities throughout the week.
“Thirteen years ago, when the horrific tragedy at the Boston Marathon shook our city to its core, we came together in love— mourning families, supporting survivors, and healing together,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Each year on One Boston Day, we honor that spirit by coming together to perform acts of kindness for one another and make a difference in our neighborhoods. I hope everyone will join their neighbors today in honoring those we lost and celebrating the love that makes Boston a home for everyone.”
City of Boston departments and workers will again this year be hosting service projects for people to give back to their communities on April 15 and throughout the week leading up to Marathon Monday, April 20, 2026. The Mayor’s Office of Civic Organizing is facilitating a neighborhood cleanup for youth and families on Saturday, April 18, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m. at Franklin Park Playstead. Interested volunteers are asked to register for the annual cleanup here.
“As spring arrives in Boston each year, we are reminded of the hope and spirit of our city,” said Bill Richard, co-founder of the Martin Richard Foundation. “One Boston
One Boston Day April 15
Day gives us a moment to reflect on our shared values most importantly to care for one another.”
“In Boston, resilience is not just remembered—it is lived. One Boston Day honors the enduring spirit of a city that rises together, supports one another, and transforms adversity into unity, compassion, and strength,” said Audrey Epstein Reny, founder of The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “That spirit, so evident in the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon tragedy, continues to guide us as we come together in service of one another to meet today’s challenges.
In honor of One Boston Day, the Stepping Strong Center is offering a free, virtual Stop the Bleed training open to the public. Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable injury death and can be fatal in as little as five minutes, often before first responders arrive. However, there are simple techniques that bystanders can use to slow or stop bleeding and save a life. The rapid application of these techniques in the chaotic moments after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing
helped to save the life of Gillian Reny, for whom the center is named. On Wednesday, April 15, free Zoom sessions are available at 12:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. to learn how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and take immediate, effective action. Registration can be found here for the 12 p.m. session and here for the 6 p.m. session.
As the city marks 13 years since 2013, the City of Boston and the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) will honor the day with a wreath laying in the Back Bay the morning of Wednesday, April 15. More details will become available in the coming weeks.
“One Boston Day is a time for all of us to remember, uplift, and extend gratitude to one another. As race day
and the 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America approaches, we encourage all athletes, volunteers, spectators and community members to unite and celebrate the spirit, resilience, and determination of our community on One Boston Day,” said Jack Fleming, President & CEO of the Boston Athletic Association. “This year’s One Boston Day will occur on Wednesday of Boston Marathon race week, a time when many athletes from around the world begin arriving to Boston. As stewards of the event, the Boston Athletic Association looks forward to welcoming the world to our home and showcasing what truly makes our community and sport special.” More information about One Boston Day will be available here boston.gov/one-boston.
Swan Boats Return April 18
Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and the Paget family will host the first ride of the season on the iconic Boston Swan Boats as they open at the Boston Public Garden Lagoon on Saturday, April 18, at 10:00 a.m. 2026 marks the 149th season for the Swan Boats, a beloved tourist attraction and iconic symbol of Boston and the Public Garden. The oldest and smallest boat in the fleet just celebrated its 116th season, while the newest was launched in 1993. The swan on the boats is made from either copper or fiberglass, depending on the age of the boat, and encloses a paddle mechanism that is used
to propel the boat through the water.
Launched in 1877 by Irish immigrant and shipbuilder Robert Paget, the Swan Boats continue to be owned and operated by the Paget family. Mr. Paget designed the Swan Boats after attending the opera Lohengrin in New York City. At the end of the opera, the hero crosses a river in a boat drawn by a swan. In 2025, the Swan Boats were added as a site on the Boston Irish Heritage Trail.
Fully loaded, each Swan Boat weighs three tons and is powered by the driver using a foot-propelled paddle wheel. The Swan Boats are built on oak-framed pontoons sheathed in copper, just as they were initially constructed in 1877. After being stored in a safe place for the winter, the boats will return to the Public Garden Lagoon in the spring, with Mayor Wu celebrating the first ride of the season. For more information, please visit boston.gov/swan-boats.
Dear Residents
What happened at the City Council meeting yesterday should concern every resident of Boston.
Councilor Ed Flynn and I filed two emergency matters raising serious concerns about the City’s finances and equity for student-athletes in Boston Public Schools.
But instead of allowing these matters to even be read into the record, Councilor Sharon Durkan blocked them outright.
Let that sink in. Not debated. Not discussed. Blocked.
That is not how this body is supposed to function. The Council exists to raise concerns, ask tough questions, and be accountable to the public. Our job is to oversee how taxpayer dollars are spent. Blocking something before it is even introduced keeps the public out and denies residents the transparency they deserve.
And let’s be honest about what this is. This is political.
In the same meeting, the Council took time to pass resolutions recognizing everything from a day honoring Cardi B to celebrating the independence of Senegal. But when it came to asking serious questions about city finances and a combined shortfall of over $100 million, or ensuring student-athletes have the basic equipment they need, those efforts were blocked before they could even be heard.
We should be embarrassed by that.
There is no good reason to block questions about fiscal accountability or to delay discussion on issues that directly impact our residents, including why a varsity baseball team does not have the funds for something as basic as caps for its players. That is not leadership. That is avoiding the work. Residents expect us to focus on city issues, hold City Hall accountable, and do our jobs.
I will continue to demand accountability for how taxpayer dollars are spent and fight for the transparency our residents deserve.
SBCA Celebrating Easter with Classmates
ABUTTER’S MEETINGS
Please note that abutter’s meeting information can also be found at https://www.boston.gov/events.
567 E Sixth St
Proposal: Demolish Existing 1-Story Garage On Separate Permit And Erect A New 4-Story, 6-Unit Residential Building W/ Balconies And Off-Street Parking As Per Plans Submitted
Time: Tues, Mar 31⋅6:00pm Join Zoom Meeting: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1601512144
Webinar ID: 160 151 2144
350 E Fourth St
Proposal: Redevelopment of a 43,996 square-foot Project Site which is currently occupied by an accessory surface parking to the adjacent Bigelow Condominium Building (“Bigelow”). The proposed multi-family residential development will include 45 units, with 75 basement and ground floor garage parking spaces to serve the existing Bigelow building and the Project, and will contain 46 indoor resident bike spaces and 10 exterior visitor bike spaces. Time: Wed, Apr 1 6:00pm In person: BCYF Condon Community Center, 200 D Street, South Boston, 02127
47 Farragut Rd
Proposal: Interior Renovation To Existing Tenant Unit. Interior Renovations To Extend Unit #1 Living Area Into A Portion Of The Existing Basement. “No Change In Occupancy, Use Or Egress. No Renovation To Exterior Envelope
Time: Thurs, April 2⋅6:00pm
Join Zoom Meeting: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1619576967
Webinar ID: 161 957 6967
Or One tap mobile: +16692545252,,1619576967# US (San Jose)
128 G St
Proposal: Confirming and legalizing third unit in basement. Curre ntly, the home is a 2 family with a finished basement unit that needs to be legalized. Converting this home from 2-3 family -not adding an ADU in the basement
Time: Tues, April 7⋅7:00pm
Join Zoom Meeting: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1607906393
Or One tap mobile: +16692545252,,1607906393# US (San Jose)
Webinar ID: 160 790 6393
South Boston Liaison Office Hour
Fri, April 10th, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Cannonball Cafe, 383 Dorchester Ave
ZONING BOARD OF APPEAL / LICENSING HEARINGS
To participate in ZBA hearings, below are instructions on joining a public meeting. Please note that the ZBA board will call on members of the public to testify for each proposal; you can share your thoughts in that forum
142 P ST South Boston 02127
Appeal Type Zoning
Hearing Date 4/7/26
Project Description: Build 5 roof decks on top of the building. Each unit will have it’s own deck
78 H ST South Boston 02127
Appeal Type Zoning
Hearing Date 4/7/26
Project Description: Confirm single-family occupancy, change occupancy from single- to two-family; extend living space into basement; add 1st-floor bath and 2nd-floor kitchen; add rear deck and 2nd-floor egress stairs; remodel existing baths; separate electrical/mechanical for new unit.
5 Colebrook ST South Boston 02127
Appeal Type Zoning
Hearing Date 4/16/26
Project Description: Back deck replacement. Includes demo of existing (7ft x 14ft), install new footings, framing decks back on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & roof deck (New Deck: 9ft x 14ft)
30
to 32 H ST South Boston 02127
Appeal Type Zoning
Hearing Date 4/28/26
Project Description: Construction of a new 3-story, 6-unit multifamily residential building with 6 garage parking spaces w/ elevator access on 4,271 sf parcel known as Lot 1 per stamped land survey
62 L ST South Boston 02127
Appeal Type Zoning
Hearing Date 4/28/26
Project Description: Replace existing exterior stairs and construct a new roof deck.
Boston Parks Department announces registration for Tenacity’s 2026 Summer Tennis and Reading Program
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce that registration is now available for our free Summer Tennis & Reading Program (STRP) in partnership with Tenacity. The program will return to 16 park locations across Boston this summer, offering youth a unique opportunity to stay active and engaged through tennis, fitness, and reading.
Designed for Boston youth ages 6 to 15, STRP combines tennis and fitness activities with engaging reading sessions to help keep both minds and bodies active during the summer months. Registration is now available through the end of July.
“We are beyond excited to offer this program in partnership with Tenacity,” said Interim Commissioner Cathy BakerEclipse. “Not only will this program bring attendees to a vast
Tennis and Reading
number of our parks throughout Boston, but it will also give kids a meaningful opportunity to grow both on and off the court, building physical skills like tennis alongside mental skills like reading.”
The program will run from July 6 through August 14, with two daily sessions: Morning: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (ages 6-10) Afternoon: 1:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
(ages 10-15)
Each age group meets daily for a session that includes tennis and fitness activities and a variety of light reading activities. STRP is available at the following locations:
Boston Common, Back Bay/ Beacon Hill Carter Playground, Roxbury Moakley Park, South Boston Constitution Beach, East Boston* Dorchester Park, Dorchester
The City of Boston’s Planning Department invites residents to participate in planning that will help shape the future of the City.
You can sign up to receive Planning Department emails and learn about opportunities to get involved here: bosplans.org/GetInvolved
English High School Athletic Fields, Jamaica Plain Harbor Point, South Boston Hunt-Almont Park, Mattapan Iacono/Readville Playground, Hyde Park Madison Park High School Athletic Fields, Roxbury Malcolm X Park, Roxbury Rogers Park, Allston-Brighton Roxbury Latin High School, West Roxbury* East Boston Memorial Park/ Sartori Stadium, East Boston Savin Hill Park, Dorchester West Roxbury High School Athletic Fields, West Roxbury
“Tenacity started in the summer,” said Founder & CEO Ned Eames. “Before we were in classrooms year-round, we were in Boston’s parks, rackets in hand and books open, helping kids discover their confidence and love of learning. For decades,
Boston families have trusted us to provide a safe, supportive, and fun space where kids can grow, learn, and build friendships. Tenacity’s free Summer Tennis & Reading Program is still local in neighborhood parks and still changing lives. We invite Boston families to make this summer unforgettable for their children!” Through its partnership with Tenacity, the City of Boston employs over 100 youth workers, providing exciting summer jobs that offer rich opportunities to build leadership skills. These positions are coordinated through Boston’s Youth Engagement and Employment program and the Boston Centers for Youth & Families. All STRP site leaders and staff 18-years and older are USTA Safe Play certified. Registration is now available at tenacity.org/ summer-tennis-reading-programboston. For questions about registration, please contact Mike at mikekennedy@tenacity.org.
Massport is currently accepting applications for the following scholarships:
• THOMAS J. BUTLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service in South Boston, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• DEBORAH HADDEN GRAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service or employment in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Revere or Winthrop, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• LOWELL L. RICHARDS III MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, or Winthrop, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• DIVERSITY STEM SCHOLARSHIP
Awarded annually to high school seniors who reside or attend school in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Winthrop, Revere, Worcester, Bedford, Concord, Lexington or Lincoln, and are involved in community service with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Scholarship applications must be received by Massport no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026.
For more information on these scholarships, including application links and criteria please visit, www.massport.com
