Transportation & Access

Traffic, parking, public transit, pedestrian access, bicycle safety - these are just a few of the transporation-related issues of concern to the Franklin Park Coalition.

FPC would like to see better public transit to the park; less traffic for big park events; more bike racks at destination sites in the park; better crosswalks and traffic calming measures on roads around the park; the main park road closed to cars on Sundays like Memorial Drive in Cambridge; and signs helping people navigate in the park.

photo: Blue Hill Avenue trolley traveling alongside the park, circa 1950s. 

The Boston Parks and Transportation Departments have recently commissioned a transportation study to gather data and make recommendations for improvements. The study will inform a park-wide Management Plan, a blueprint for year-round management and maintenance of the park. Offer your observations about transportation issues in and around the park on the FPC Blog. Data collection will occur during spring and summer 2008 - we'll update this page with findings as they become public. Check the Calendar of Events for community meetings where you can give input and learn more.

Over the last several years FPC has worked on transportation and access issues:

• Provided annual testimony at MBTA hearings for improvements to the #16 and other park bus routes.
• Spearheaded a Green Triangle Transportation Group to explore the possibility of shuttle service from Forest Hills T Stop to the Shattuck, the park and the Zoo.
  
• Worked on the Arborway Yard development to bring added greenspace, affordable housing, and local business to Forest Hills, as well as a better connection between the Southwest Corridor Park  and Franklin Park.
• Co-sponsored an experimental shuttle bus fro Forest Hills T stop to the park and Zoo - by the second weekend ridership was up to 3,000.
• Won free shuttle bus service from off-site lots to the the Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Caribbean summer festivals in the park.
• Restored the Wales Street Entrance at Blue Hill Ave and American Legion Highway to make it more inviting to community members. The next step is to have a Franklin Park sign installed.