This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Perceived Threat to Jamaica Pond Prompts Outpouring

In a public forum to discuss Hellenic College's controversial decision to sell its pond-side land, there was an outcry for public purchase and preservation of the 12.5 acre green space.

There's a 12.5 acre swath of land across Prince Street from Jamaica Pond that's largely as it was when settlers first arrived. The parcel is up for sale, and that has many residents of Jamaica Plain keen to prevent it from being developed.

In a show of strength and community passion, many locals let their opinions be known in no uncertain terms last night. There was, however, no debate. Everyone who spoke shared the same vision,  a preserved and undisturbed Jamaica Pond.

Boston City Councilors Matt O'Malley, Ayanna Pressley, and Felix Arroyo all spoke in support of the pond's conservation and specifically cited the assembly and the community at large for pointing the way and giving the elected leaders a clear voice. Councilor At Large Pressley pointed out that the constituency who value Jamaica Pond extends to the entire city, not only JP.

Find out what's happening in Jamaica Plainwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In a public forum sponsored by , Friends of Jamaica Pond, Arborway CoalitionJamaica Hills Association, Jamaica Pond Association, KidsArts!, Fenway Civic Association, Fenway Garden Society and others, people came to "share visions, reflections, ideas and concerns on the sale and development of Hellenic Hill," a 12.5 acre parcel of largely green space that sits at 156-222 Prince St. The parcel, directly west of the pond and just across Parkman Drive, is currently part of the 52 acre Hellenic College campus. It provides a large portion of the visual and contextual backdrop of Jamaica Pond and although privately owned, has been regarded as part of what many people consider the shiniest jewel in Frederick Law Olmsted's "Emerald Necklace," a nearly continuous loop around Boston of public green space that was designed in the 19th century by the iconic park activist.

In January, the college announced that it was seeking offers for the parcel. After the meeting, John Papson, in his capacity as public relations and marketing person for Hellenic College said the college "...will entertain any and all offers for the land. The conservation group knows that the college wants to sell." Papson was less sure about any other questions posed by the assembly, denying knowledge of a dollar amount that the college has in mind either as a value for the property or a working figure it is hoping to raise for its vaguely stated financial need.

Find out what's happening in Jamaica Plainwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Papson, himself a member of the Jamaica Pond Association, seemed most interested in getting across a simple message: the land is for sale and the college wants to take care of its needs and the community's. He said that they have already fielded a few offers for the land from private developers, but those had resulted in neither a price nor a specific plan of action.      

At the back of the room, Gerry Wright, president of Friends of Jamaica Pond and a performing artist who , was energized. The main room at the First Church filled up as fast as anyone had hoped and the turnout was decidedly favorable to conservation efforts. As he saw it, the plan to save the pond, the fourth such effort in recent memory, was beginning to coalesce.

After a brief introduction by Terry Burke, minister at the First Church, Alison Yoos, a member of the Community Caring Institute, read a letter addressed to her from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the head of the Orthodox Christian Church of which Hellenic College is a member, in response to a letter that Yoos and her compatriots sent to Bartholomew when they discovered his abiding interest in green lands preservation. The letter indicated that while the Patriarch has no immediate jurisdiction over the issue, he would communicate with Hellenic College in its regard.

A second letter from church officials, read by Burke and signed by Archbishop Demetrios, Archbishop of America, said in part "Please know that the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College/Holy Cross is working on all kinds of options which will benefit our School as well as preserve and conserve the land around it."

Concerned locals took turns at the podium. Several testimonials were given to the pond as one of JP's primary sources of inspiration, calm, worship, recreation and pleasure. All of the speakers regarded change to the parcel as something to be avoided at all costs and at least one speaker called the pond "sacred space" and threatened civil disobedience as a last resort should the parcel end up in the hands of a private developer. This threat was met with voices of approval from the assembly and interrupted by spontaneous and spirited applause. Later Papson was asked if he would inform potential developers of the community's position. After careful thought, he said "No. That's your job."  Papson assured the crowd that Hellenic College would not, itself, develop the land.  

After several concerned citizens spoke, Maura Hennigan, former JP city councilor and currently the elected Clerk Magistrate of Suffolk Superior Court, Criminal Division, reminded the group that after the previous fight to preserve the character of the pond ten years ago, the Boston City Council passed a $1 million loan order that was signed by Mayor Thomas Menino. She said that it would obviously not be enough money by itself, but would be seed money to seek a permanent solution. She added that there was a state bond issue whose purpose had not yet been directed that could be influenced by public pressure. She said that a land purchase should be transacted at "...a conservation price, which is very different than a development price" and was loudly applauded. "Also, we're all going to have to dig into our own pockets to show a commitment...we are only as strong as you make us."

Perhaps the most salient comments came from Julie Crockford, president of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy which has already met with officials at Hellenic College. She said that since the property was briefly listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service, the primary clearing house for real estate transactions in Massachusetts)  "We have been exploring a conservation alternative with the college that will preserve Hellenic Hill in perpetuity. We have had one meeting with the college. We have another meeting scheduled with the college. I think money will have to change hands if the conservation alternative is to be realized...I think it will be a big fund raising campaign if we're to pull this off."

The questions remain, how much, how soon, and from where. In a private deal, the land would likely go to the highest bidder, but in a public transaction that permanently preserves the land as is, intangible benefits will redound to the college that it would otherwise sacrifice to a private developer. One concern is to meet the college's needs without sacrificing the public interest.

After the meeting, Gerry Wright spoke of the organizational challenge that accompanied the issue. He said that there are currently 10 co-sponsoring organizations coming together around this single issue and that in the end that number might grow to 25 organizations. He said that the Emerald Necklace Conservancy had ties to some of the biggest potential funders of a purchase, specifically Mass Audubon, The Trust for Public Land and The Trustees of Reservations. He added that city, state and other public and private monies would be targeted. He thought that the evening's meeting was a big first step. "Now we have the tough challenge of organization."

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Jamaica Plain