By Phil Orlandella
FOCCP President Stepping Down
Friends of Christopher Park Joanne Hayes Rines will step down in 2027 which will mark 18 years at the helm of the all-volunteer community group that are the caretakers of the popular public park.
Joanne believes it’s the time for younger residents with new ideas get more involved with the group that has and continues to make the park a great place for the community to enjoy over the past 25 years.
Although stepping down as president Joanne will continue to be a member of FOCC at some capacity.
FOCCP Celebrates 25th Anniversary
For 25 years Christopher Columbus Park located at the outer edge of the North End on Atlantic Avenue has been a treasure for many North End Waterfront residents and their families.
Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) for all of the 25 years have done a spectacular job of caring for the park and it’s two beautiful gardens, working with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.
They have also made the park a great place to visit, sunbathe, sitting on a bench to read, have a family picnic, enjoy the kids park, meet with friends and neighbors or participate in the many events, activities and programs the Friends organize each year.
Permanent Plaque Honoring Bobby D Installed on Bill Russell Bridge
Last summer the Promenade on the Bill Russell Bridge on the North End side was named in honor of Robert ”Bobby D” DeCristaforo a lifelong resident and community activist according to John Romano one of Bobby Ds friends.
“It was a great ceremony on a beautiful day, however, there was just a prototype sign at the time,” Romano said. He added, “Recently City of Boston had a permanent plaque installed”.
“Mayor Michelle Wu and North resident State Representative Aaron Michlewitz are responsible for the plaque placement that will keep Bobby’s memory alive forever,” Romano added.
New Mural Coming Dewey Square
The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy recently welcomed Boston born Rixey who already started work on the 2026 Dewey Square Mural one of the city’s most vibrant and visible canvases for public art.
May 1 through the first week in June neighbors, community members and visitors watch the artwork come to life in real time.
Rixey and all her woman painting team brought a bold new vision to the heart of downtown.
Rixie’s mural, “The Midnight Ride” reimagines familiar histories through world-building, storytelling and meaningful dialogues inviting visitors of all ages to pause, reflect and see themselves within a shared continuing evolving story.
Saturday, June 27 (3-6pm) there will be an opening reception for the completed mural.
Poetry Reading at Library
A poetry reading with local author and poet Harris Gardner was recently held at the North End Library, 25 Parmenter Street.
Gardner read from his latest poetry collection, No Time for Death.
FOCC Annual Social
Learn how the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) help keep the park thriving as the all-volunteer membership celebrates their 25th anniversary at the group’s annual membership social at Tia’s on the Waterfront.
The Social will also celebrate FOCCP’s 25th Anniversary of caretaking and providing activities on the Park.
The Social will be held on Wednesday May 20 from 6-8pm.
NEHS host talk on Historic Green Dragon Tavern In the North End
Sponsored by the North End Historic Society Jeremy Bell recently presented his research on America’s famous Freemason Grand Master Paul Revere at the North End Library.
Meeting at the legendary Green Dragon in the North End, Revere’s Lodge of St. Andrews served as a crucible for the revolution.
Bell recounted the extraordinary story of the Lodge’s origins in the 1730s London, utilizing dozens of rare period prints to connect the dots.
ParkArts Watercolor Painting Workshop coming to Columbus Park
The Boston Parks Department has announced the return of its popular ParkArts Summer Watercolor Painting Workshop series at Columbus Park on Saturday May 31st from 10:00am to 12:00pm.
The free program is for Boston residents 9 and up welcoming artists of all skill levels to create their own green space inspired masterpieces.
Materials and instructors will be provided. Pre-registration required. For more information visit www.boston.gov/watercolor.
Library Author Talk
Presented by the Friends of North End Library and made possible by the generosity of John D. McGonagle Foundation, local author Karen Chalfen spoke on her latest book “From End to Beginning” and explained what inspired it.
FOCCP Elects Officers
Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) have elected Officers/ Directors at Large at their May monthly meeting.
President Joanne Hayes Rhines, Vice President Mary Gaye Grizwin, Treasurer Allison Seavey, Clerk Audrey Tortolani, Directors At Large Susanne Lavoie and Patricia Sabbey.