South Boston Groups Receive $54,000 in Better Beaches Grants for a Safe and Fun Summer

This past Saturday, June 10th, 2023 Save the Harbor/Save the Bay awarded $54,250 to several South Boston organizations to fund free beach events as part of Save the Harbor’s Better Beaches program partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Some of this year’s South Boston grant recipients are Boston Centers for Youth, Soca Hikes, Caribbean American Carnival Association, The North American Indian Center, Stonewall Sports, and South Boston En Accion.

Events this year will include free movie nights, DJ sets, circus performances, bike rides, Asian, LatinAmerican, and Afro-Arabian cultural nights, physical and mental wellness workshops, beach parties for kids and teens, beach wheelchairs, mobility mats, and grants to organizations that promote racial justice, access for people with disabilities, language accessibility, public safety and swimming safety.

“It’s going to be a terrific summer, with more free events and programs than ever before,” said Executive Director of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, Chris Mancini.

“Working with our program partners, we intend to highlight the racial and cultural diversity of our region and amplify our core messages of public safety, inclusion and fun. Above all, we want our beaches to be safe and healthy places for everyone to enjoy. Diverse and welcoming programming is a key piece of that effort.”

Funds to support the program came from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the annual Harpoon Shamrock Splash, which was held on March 12 at Constitution Beach.

“DCR is committed to working with our partners like Save the Harbor/Save the Bay to ensure that our beautiful beaches are welcoming and inclusive places for residents of all abilities, races, incomes, and language capabilities,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We are looking forward to another great summer of free events and programs for our families on our DCR beaches from Nahant to Nantasket.”

Some of the events scheduled by South Boston organizations this summer include:

June 25th: Master Fete Experience

July 7th: Family Game Night

July 22nd: Stonewall Sport Beach Party

MassPort’s Fish Pier “Boxes”

by Rick Winterson

Last Thursday, Planet Earth observed and celebrated World Oceans Day. All around our globe, people gathered on beaches and shores to dance, join hands, and enjoy the bounteous oceans the world possesses. And not to be outdone, it was also the Opening Day of MassPort’s unique tribute to the Port of Boston and its harbor waters – a tribute they’ve entitled “BOXES”. And what do people do with BOXES? We open them, of course. A crowd of more than a hundred gathered to view the ribbon-cutting that formally opened BOXES. There was an audible buzz of anticipation because BOXES is one of those unique structures that are not only beautiful, but also are unforgettable. Promptly at 2 p.m., the opening program began, emceed by MassPort’s Asset Manager, Andrew Hargins. In brief, well-spoken remarks, the BOXES Project Manager Brendan McIntyre dedicated BOXES to people all around the Fish Pier. Fish Pier businessman Jared “Red” Auerbach told everyone to “Spread the word!” State Rep. David Biele thanked everyone who took part in creating BOXES. In a short private interview, MassPort CEO Lisa Wieland said later on, “This is a grand reflection of the working Port of Boston.”

And at 2:30, the blue ribbon (what else?) was ceremoniously cut by a dozen scissors-wielding participants.

Part of the central structure of BOXES is a full-scale replica of the box trailer used by most American 18-wheelers; these are 40 feet by 8 feet by 10 feet tall. The yellow box trailer at BOXES is mounted on a steel stand with brightly painted panels having complete information about the Fish Pier, the Boston Waterfront, and local efforts in harvesting the Atlantic Ocean’s bounty. An enormous amount of credit for designing and constructing BOXES must go to builder/ welder Peter Taras, who attended the opening with his wife, Debbie. Peter was referred to the project by a developer named Cannistraro.

In addition to Peter’s critical skills, the final decorative painting was done by artists from South Boston’s own Artists for Humanity located at A Street and Second. When you visit BOXES, be sure to bring your children. The detailed information available on the panels would be an excellent source of facts and figures about the Fish Pier and Boston Harbor that young students can use for writing school papers. For example, everyone knows that a bunch of fish is called a “school”. But did you know that a group of shrimp is called a “troupe” and a group of lobsters is called a “risk”? And be sure to take a look at the panel comparing the size of those huge container ships to Boston’s fishing boats. And that isn’t the only attraction of BOXES. Every Thursday afternoon from 3 until 6 p.m., vendors of fish, seafood, and even tasty treats for your dog or cat will open pop-up shops where you can buy Fish Pier products at convenient locations next to BOXES. Except for Fourth of July week, these shops will be open the next 11 Thursdays until Labor Day. Bring your kids; make a day of it. The delightful setting of BOXES deserves comment. It is on Northern Avenue along the sidewalk in front of the Fish Pier and is directly across the Avenue from two parks on D Street – the green Seaport Park and Eastport Park with its immense rock sculptures. You’ll enjoy your visit to what is now one of the most scenic parts of South Boston.