Last month acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey proposed her administration’s recommended $3.75 billion Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) operating budget and $3.2 billion Fiscal Year 2022-2026 (FY22-FY26) Capital Plan. Janey said the budget focuses on providing the resources for the city’s continued robust public health response to COVID-19, making strategic investments in Boston’s neighborhoods and residents, and setting the stage for Boston’s equitable reopening, recovery and long-term renewal.
The city Capital Budget includes money to get the Mission Hill Playground improvement project over the goal line.
There has been a little over $3 million in the city’s Five Year Capital Plan for design and construction for the park.
The city said construction will begin on the renovation of Mission Hill Playground this fiscal year after a lengthy community process with residents on the design.
Renovations to the the 2.7-acre Mission Hill Playground will include a shaded seating area along pathways near the Tremont Street entrance; a playground with play equipment for ages 2-5 and 5-12; basketball mini-court; swings; a water spray area; and a large multipurpose natural turf field for soccer, baseball, softball and cricket, along Smith Street.
Oher budget highlights for the area include $6.5 million to design and rebuild Ruggles Street, between Washington Street and Ruggles MBTA station, adhering to the city’s “Complete Street” guidelines.
Janey also wants to eliminate BCYF membership fees at all sites for Mission Hill and Boston residents, thus lifting financial barriers for entry and opening all sites to all residents, regardless of residential neighborhood.
There will be $500,000 spread across Boston neighborhoods to support Open Streets, a new program to encourage safe outdoor activity on public streets until the pandemic cools.
Finally Janey earmarked $3.5 million supports housing and homelessness efforts to prevent displacement and expand housing opportunities for families of every income in all neighborhoods
“During the past year, Boston has come together like never before, and we must take that spirit of inclusiveness and compassion and translate it into real investments for the City of Boston and our residents. COVID-19 has brought on unprecedented economic and social change for our city, and this budget proposal meets the moment and makes targeted investments to ensure that as we emerge from this public health crisis we are not going back to normal, but going forward better than before,” said Janey. “I am proud of this budget and the enormous work that goes into running our City government and providing the services Bostonians need and rely on. No one can be left behind as Boston recovers from COVID-19, and looks forward to the future.”