Victory in the Fenway

by FGS Roving Reporter Bruno Rubio.

The beauty of the Fenway Victory Garden proclaims the horticultural skill of our members. That nothing happens in the Victory Garden except through volunteer action testifies to our commitment to service. The generous spirit of our gardeners was recognized as several FGS members accepted grants from the Mission Hill/Fenway Neighborhood Trust (MHFNT) at a ceremony held at the Massachusetts College of Art on June 6.

MHFNT provides grants to community-based Mission Hill and Fenway non-profit organizations and community development groups that enhance the quality of life through affordable housing, youth and elderly programs, and social services.

Stalwart FGS volunteer and expert rosarian Marie Fukuda, representing Friends of Symphony Park (fenwaycivic.org), accepted an award for $1740 to fund an 8-week “bootcamp” group exercise program to be held in Symphony Park located at the corner of Edgerly Road and Norway Street. The classes, which are free-of-charge and kick off on June 14 from 7:15-8:00 a.m., will feature strength, cardio, speed, flexibility, and injury prevention training. Certified Master Personal Trainer Celeste Platt from Boston Sports Club will lead the classes, which promise to be fun, dynamic, and challenging.

John Kelly, a gardener in the Accessibility Garden and founder of Neighborhood Access Group, accepted a grant for $1870 to fund stipends for students documenting walkway accessibility conditions in the Back Bay Fens. The project is in collaboration with sociology professor Valerie Leiter of Simmons College.