The News Stand

Building Better Neighborhoods Through Community Projects

The Activating Boston Project helps neighborhoods create better outdoor spaces that bring people together across different ages and backgrounds. Started in 2022, this program gives money to community groups to improve parks, create art projects, and build food gardens in areas that get very hot during summer. Seven neighborhood organizations in Boston have received funding to work with local residents, especially young people and seniors, to make their communities healthier and more connected. Projects include community murals in Chinatown, youth art programs in parks, food forests in vacant lots, and neighborhood beautification with sunflowers. The program focuses on areas experiencing severe heat stress and helps communities become more resilient to climate change. Each project brings neighbors together through public art, community celebrations, and intergenerational activities that honor local culture. The initiative is run by Healthy Places by Design working with John Hancock, the City of Boston, AARP Massachusetts, and UMass Boston. By improving and activating outdoor spaces, these projects help people stay connected to their neighbors while addressing important community issues like heat resilience and environmental justice.