Update March 20, 2017

Since completing the week dedicated to kickstarting this initiative, the group has been on Spring Break. However, everything has not come to a complete stop. The group has been hearing back from the various city and state officials they reached out to and are beginning to organize the next steps of communication. Here is the additional information:

• A member of the group, also a Newton Resident, put in an official request for the painting of a sidewalk and addition of a pedestrian signal. The request was forwarded on to multiple departments in the city. As expected, the City of Newton responded that Hammond Pond Parkway is operated by the DCR and all requests had to be made through the Commonwealth.
• The group heard back from Jennifer Steel of the City of Newton Conservation Committee. She shared her support for the endeavor and also shared that there has been a submitted proposal to add a bike lane to Hammond Parkway as well. She also shared the contact information of additional people to reach out to and indicated that the time was right for such an ask.
• Representative Kay Kahn responded to the group and suggested that the group reach out to Sen. Creem and Rep. Balser.
• A representative from Sen. Creem’s office sent a response that they would

Look out for additional updates in the coming weeks.

Time to Get Signatures…

On Thursday students finished creating the petition for support of adding a crosswalk and pedestrian signal to Hammond Pond Parkway

Here are our students in action getting signatures from Massachusetts Residents.Students collected signatures in Chestnut Hill and Newton Centre.

In just two hours, students collected more than 130 signatures.

The next step for the group is to contact:

• State Senator Cynthia Creem
• State Representative Ruth Balser
• State Representative Kay Kahn
• Newton Councilor-At-Large Ruthanne Fuller
• Elizabeth Wilkinson, President Newton Conservators
• Jennifer Steel, Newton Conservation Commission

Who’s Responsible for the Problem?

Starting Tuesday morning a second group of students focused on the issue of unsafe travel from one section of Webster Woods to another section because of the location of Hammond Pond Parkway and the lack of safe crossing between trail heads.

This was a first hand experience by our group on Monday when we were faced with the need to cross Hammond Pond Parkway to get to the rest of Webster Woods.

(The map on the left shows how Hammond Pond Parkway divides the conservation areas in half)

Students began researching the area and learning about which municipalities were in charge of the care and upkeep of the three impacted areas: Hammond Pond Reservation, Webster Woods, and Hammond Pond Parkway. In addition, the group had to identify potential abutters, which in this case is only Boston College who recently purchased the land from Congregation Mishkan Tefila.

Based on the traffic pattern of Hammond Pond Parkway, students decided to work towards requesting that a crosswalk and pedestrian signal be placed along Hammond Pond Parkway, approximately 1,500 feet past the entrance to synagogue towards Beacon St.

Students began reaching out to Newton municipalities, included Newton Parks and Recreation and Newton Town Hall.

1. Ms. Lee reached out to Newton Parks and Rec to ask about learning how they care for town conservation areas. She was given the contact information of the person in charge of Webster Woods and left her a message.
2. Students learned through internet research that Hammond Pond Reservation and

   

   Petition to add crosswalk and pedestrian signal on Hammond Pond Parkway

   Hammond Pond Parkway are overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Webster Woods is run by the Newton Department of Conservation. In addition one section of the Woods runs through the property now owned by Boston College.

3. Students called Newton City Hall to learn about the requirements for a petition and the process for requesting a sidewalk. Mr. Neudel then went to City Hall to collect the paperwork set aside for the students.
4. At Newton City Hall, Mr. Neudel spoke with the City Clerk’s office about the issue and was directed to the Planning Department to speak with different members of the department. In addition to speaking with members of the planning department, they recommended the group reach out to City Councilors and Ward 7 Councilors about bringing the issue up at the monthly Newton Traffic Council.
5. Knowing that this was most likely a Commonwealth of Massachusetts issue, students began reaching out to State Senators and State Representatives to garner support and learn more information on how to move the request forward. They reached out to Cynthia Creem who stated that she would support the initiative; Newton Councilor-At-Large RuthAnne Fuller who recommended a person to contact in the State Engineering and Planning Office; and Kay Kahn and Ruth Balsar who also said they would support the cause.
6. Students then develop the petition to be filled out on Thursday.