By Phil Orlandella
NEWRA President FOCCP Guest Speaker
North End/Waterfront Residents Association (NEWRA) longtime President Cheryl Delgreco was the guest speaker at the Friends for Christopher Columbus Park quarterly meeting.
Delgreco spoke about many things related to the North End/Waterfront and the need to combat the negative effects of climate change.
She is actively involved with this potential major problem that will affect the neighborhood and founded the North End Waterfront Climate Alliance to study climate resiliency and the need for flooding prevention readiness.
Delgreco works diligently with NEWRA members, residents, and city agencies to enhance and protect the historic neighborhood.
She is the President of Media Strategies, a communication agency that provides strategic council to technology companies and trade shows.
Cheryl also serves as a mentor to startup programs run by Mass Challenge and the Consumer Technology Association.
North End/Waterfront Climate Alliance Holds Meeting
The North End/Waterfront Climate Alliance hosted Derek Anderson, engineer with ARUP who gave a presentation on the climate resilience plans developed for properties spanning Commercial Wharf to Battery Wharf.
Jeff Herzon from the US Army Corp of Engineers participate via zoom.
The Director of Boston’s Office of Climate Resiliency Chris Osgood and Senior Manager Kathryn Roosa were also at the public meeting.
The meeting offered the community the opportunity to view full plans, learn about the proposed timeline and pose questions.
Relic of St. Francis Coming to North End
In commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the passing of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Leonard Church in the North End will be hosting a major relic of the Saint for the festival to venerate.
This is the first time a relic like this will travel to the United States.
The relic will be presented at a number of celebrations in the neighborhood and the Greater Boston area.
The relic will be brought into the church during the vigil mass on the second Sunday on Advent, Saturday, December 6th and departs the area on Thursday, December 11th.
“As Franciscans, we are very excited to be receiving a relic of our foundation,” Fr. Michael Della Penna OFM Pastor at St. Leonard Parish said, one of the oldest and largest in the United States.
Michael Bonetti, a native of the North End the Master of Ceremonies is responsible for the arrival of the relic and scheduling a number of pastoral visits outside of the Parish to churches within the Boston area.
Three Greenway Parcels Improvement Scheduled
One of the most visited attractions in the state, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, will undergo improvements to Parcels 19, 21 and 22 early this winter, according to MassDOT.
The improvements will make the park safer, highly accessible and more welcoming for visitors, according to the Greenway Conservancy that is responsible for the care of the very popular site.
Plans include new permanent pathways for improved accessibility and storm water management.
Upgraded lighting to enhance evening safety and electrical improvement to support more community events and activities are also, in the project plans that are expected to be completed in the spring of 2026.
Construction fencing will be installed in the parcels and all exterior sidewalks will remain open for the duration of the project.
RUFF Updates FOCCP on Latest Project
Leslie Horn Wallus President of and co-founder of Responsible Urbanites for FIDO (RUFF) and Dave Goggins, Park Chair updated FOCCP on the status of the Richmond Street Dog Run Project and received state funding and an update on what’s happening at the DeFilippo Playground Dog Park on the second level of the park.
The non-profit group was formed when two North End residents, based on many complaints about dogs off leash, using ballparks, public playgrounds and malls as toilets and leave a mess that lacked cleaning.
RUFF has also been involved in many community events and activities while supporting other community groups.
NEAA Holiday Parade- Dec 14th
The North End Athletic Association (NEAA) will hold its annual and popular Holiday Parade with a visit from Santa at Columbus Park on Sunday, December 14th.
After his arrival and greeting children, Santa will lead a parade through Columbus Park and the North End, starting at 1pm.
This is always a terrific community holiday event.