Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) held its annual summer Harbor Cruise on the Rendezvous, a gorgeous ship that cruised Boston Harbor, providing a beautiful view from the water in a fabulous sunset.
Boston Harbor Cruise donated the beautiful three-decker.
Summer lawn games will take place on the West lawn from 12 noon to 4 PM through August 29, free to the public, cornhole, Giant Jenge and more.
On Wednesdays, croquet is offered on the West lawn from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM through August 29. Bring the family, have a picnic and enjoy the fun game of croquet. No experience required, everything needed to play will be provided.
Working with Boston Harbor Now and the Wharf District Council, FOCCP has announced the next two firework displays over Boston Harbor on August 30 at 8:15 PM to kick-off Labor Day weekend and on December 31 to celebrate the New Year.
FOCCP’s annual Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 13 and their Trellis Lighting will take place on Monday, November 19.
FOCCP/Parks Department honor Murphy on her Birthday
Joan Murphy had a special birthday in July. Little did she realize as she walked to the park on July 20 that her FOCCP friends planned a surprise party for her in the park.
Surrounded by her friends, she enjoyed birthday cake and good wishes from those who walked by, including a group of international students and a little 4-year-old boy from Arizona who cleans up litter in his neighborhood.
The Friends presented Joan with a Certificate of Appreciation thanking her for her “work in the Park that makes it the Gem of the North End & Waterfront” and noting that Joan “proves that one person does, indeed, make a difference.”
Boston’s Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Chris Cook presented Joan with a Park’s Department tee shirt and blanket and a big hug to thank her for her work.
Joan began volunteering in Columbus Park after years of tending a garden at the Fenway Garden Society, which she did for two reasons: the social aspect and to grow vegetables.But after several years fighting a losing battle with rabbits eating her vegetables, Joan gave up her garden.
For a while she helped her friends at the Garden; she now still attends their annual parties. As she spent less time at her garden, she became more involved volunteering with Friends of Christopher Columbus Park.   Her volunteering evolved. Seeing a need, Joan developed a way to help in the park while enjoying the fact that she is on her own, no one to be responsible to and no set hours. After many years of deadlines and “punching” a time clock, Joan enjoys the freedom of being her own boss.
Volunteers Keep Columbus Park Beautiful
Friends of Christopher Columbus Park is an all-volunteer organization. Members donate thousands of hours every year to beautifying the park with upkeep and maintenance, creating fun events, disseminating news about the park, maintaining the web site, and, of course, raising the funds for the signature accomplishment: bathing the trellis in blue lights during the winter!
Who are these dedicated volunteers? They’re your friends and neighbors. The chair of the committee is Robyn Reed and under her leadership, the group has grown and taken on more challenges every year.
Assistant chair Terese O’Connell was trained as a master gardener and the knowledge she brings to the park is evidenced by the stunning Crescent Garden and the gorgeous Rose Garden.
Those who are interested in joining the gardening fun have three opportunities each week to dig in the dirt, trim roses, fertilize plants, pull weeds and do what it takes to create and maintain the beautiful gardens. The volunteers meet Wednesdays from 6pm to 7pm, Thursdays from 8:30am to 9:30am and Sundays from 9:30am to 11am. For more information, please check out our volunteer web page.