The Greater Boston Urban Resources Partnership, 1999
In anticipation of continued Congressional support, the Partnership has developed a comprehensive pre-application process to work closely with community groups in the granting process. The Partnership received 42 pre-applications requesting a total of $1.3 million for community-based natural resources enhancement projects - more than three times the number of applications and dollars requested than previous years! As an indication of heightened environmental awareness in the region, many of the organizations proposing to work with GB-URP support have not done a natural resources project before. Proposals continue to come from organizations working in the low-income and minority communities of Boston, Chelsea, Everett, and Somerville.

The Partnership is in the process of developing outreach and marketing, as well as resources development strategies in order to ensure the sustainability of the Partnership. The key component of our future is to remain relevant to the needs of Greater Boston communities. The likelihood of success is increased by continuing to involve a diverse group of Partners from all sectors of Greater Boston in the valuable work of community organizations. As the Partnership matures and the USDA continues to provide valuable startup funds, we will be able to further leverage technical and financial resources for the benefit of community groups.

The Chelsea Creek Action Group
A coalition of community residents led by the East Boston Ecumenical Community Council, the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, and the Chelsea Green Space and Recreation Committee.

GB-URP Technical Assistance Liaisons:
Ken Fields, BSC Group (Private sector environmental consultants); Indira Balkissoon, Environmental Protection Agency; Phillip Rodbell, MA Department of Environmental Management, Urban Forestry; Anne Livingston, MA Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Environmental Law Enforcement; Andrew Klein (Private consultant)

Project Description:
Chelsea Creek flows between the City of Boston's East Boston neighborhood City of Chelsea. The two communities share recreational, health, cultural, community, as well as transportation resources. They also share the negative impacts of industry, the airport, traffic, and pollution generated by uses that benefit the Greater Boston Region. Many of their children have asthma, and many adults suffer from hypertension and hearing loss. The two communities have a very high density of housing clustered behind an edge of industrial uses and wasteland. There are lively communities, diverse cultures, growing children, youth, working adults, and elders who have needs that range from healthcare and recreation to jobs and services. There is little open space for children and elders who need parks and recreation space close to their homes. The three community-based groups that form the Chelsea Creek Action Group (CCAG) are leading the effort to help East Boston and Chelsea residents develop and implement a vision for the Chelsea Creek in the years to come.

Project Accomplishments:

• CCAG's ability to increase environmental awareness led to an Environmental Fair in May 1998 that drew 1,000 community residents who participated in water quality testing, storm drain stenciling, and educational tours of the Creek.
• CCAG coordinated a Tufts University Field Study Project that documented land use patterns and sensitive receptors within the Chelsea Creek watershed and placed the information in a Geographical Information System for community access.
• As a direct result of community education and collaboration with federal GB-URP Partners, Chelsea was the first community to ever be involved with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permitting process.
• Due to CCAG environmental education efforts the Amerada Hess corporation removed 10 abandoned oil tanks after 20 years of non-use and is working with residents on a public involvement process.
• Due to community pressure, the City of Boston is working with CCAG on the cleanup and re-design of an Urban Wild along Chelsea River.
• Commitment of 1-acre park in Chelsea near what was once a parking lot.
• The City of Chelsea is working with CCAG on urban re-development issues alongside the Mill Creek.
• The group mobilized community residents and worked with industry representatives to promote public access to natural resources throughout the Chelsea Creek watershed.
• Outreach and education efforts were conducted in a manner culturally appropriate to the Cambodian, Latin, Vietnamese, and Brazilian populations of East Boston and Chelsea.
• As a sign of growing sustainability, CCAG has begun to work with regional non-profits connected to substantial financial and technical resources.

Community Garden and Neponset River Access: Mattapan's Kennedy Park Revitalization
Boston Natural Areas Fund, Inc.

GB-URP Technical Assistance Liaison:
Marc MacQueen, USDA-Natural Resources and Conservation Service

Project Description:
In contrast to other communities along the Neponset River, Mattapan is largely composed of minority and low-income residents with little access to environmental amenities. The community has a growing number of vacant lots and brownfields, a lack of public transportation, and a limited amount of green space. The Boston Natural Areas Fund's ability to revitalize a dilapidated park has positively impacted the community in many ways.

Project Accomplishments:

• Youth built a 21-step canoe launch to provide one of only two local access points to the Neponset River for 35,000 Mattapan residents.
• Compost and organic matter were installed to stabilize and improve the productivity of community garden soil.
• The newly improved and user-friendly park has become a community venue for neighborhood events to reclaim the area as a community-gathering place.
• Resident activism and legitimacy of residents' claims to state and local resources earmarked for urban natural resources enhancement and preservation has increased. In fact, the state has purchased two adjacent lots with the intent of expanding Kennedy Park.

The Peace Garden
Greater Egleston Community High School

GB-URP Technical Assistance Liaisons:
Stacey Chacker, Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (Community based organization); Philip Parker, The Synergy Organization, Inc. (Private consultant); Marc MacQueen, USDA-Natural Resources and Conservation Service

Project Description:
This project will transform a vacant lot across the street from the high school - that has long been a community eyesore - into a green space, community gathering plaza and educational science laboratory for residents and students. Students and community residents will be involved in the design and planning of the garden, in its development and construction, and importantly, in its long term care and maintenance.

Project Accomplishments:

• Students have worked with NRCS liaisons to conduct a topographical survey of the lot.
• Soil samples were taken by the class and have been sent to the Environmental Protection Agency for testing.
• GB-URP affiliated landscape designers have taught students the fundamentals of urban landscape design and construction.
• The class has surveyed community members regarding the design of the park and the feasibility of a neighborhood composting program.
• Students are poised to begin the implementation of their design and begin construction Spring of 1999.