EVERETT STREET GREENING DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Phase 1: Planning and Design (February 2008 - January 2009)
Phase 2: Implementation (December 2009 - June 2010)
Phase 3: Brentwood Street Greening

Project Background

In February of 2008, CRWA was awarded an Urban Forestry Challenge Grant by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). This grant enabled CRWA to develop a Green Street demonstration project along a section of Everett Street in North Allston. The project involved the design and construction of a system of green infrastructure that maximizes the use of street tree cover for stormwater interception as well as temperature and air quality improvement and as a result illustrates the connection between green infrastructure, stormwater management and ultimately water quality.

The project creates a lush, green streetscape by retrofitting a part of the St. Anthony’s Church site, along the building occupied by the German International School of Boston. The project benefits the entire community on North Allston/ Brighton, and is the first part of an effort to convert all of Everett Street to a green street. The implementation of rain gardens, permeable pavement and stormwater tree pits improves the site aesthetically and at the same time collects and treats stormwater runoff. Approximately 2,500 square feet of asphalt next to the school building has been replaced by an attractive green landscape that includes 7 new trees, a rain garden and a stormwater tree trench. The new vegetation helps beautify the area, while providing shade and reducing summer temperatures, improving air quality, and aiding the management of storm water runoff.

Phase 3: Brentwood Street Greening

On October 4, 2012, as part of the continued greening of Everett and Brentwood Streets, CRWA worked with volunteers including elementary school students from the German International School Boston to plant a rain garden at the edge of the parking lot adjoining the school building. CRWA planned and implemented this garden as part of phase three of the Everett Street Greening Project funded by the Department of Conservation and Recreation with match funding from the school. The rain garden will collect and treat stormwater runoff from the school parking lot and will reduce the amount of pollution being carried with the runoff into the Charles River.

CRWA also organized the planting of five trees with funding from Grow Boston Greener Initiative.  On November 19, 2011 volunteers from the German International School of Boston, Saint Anthony’s Church, and the Allston/Brighton community turned out to dig holes, prepare the soil, and plant a combination of Red Maples and Serviceberry trees. 

GISB staff and parents, school children, Church members and residents from adjoining area enjoyed the opportunity to help green their community.  The trees will help to decrease storm water runoff and provide benefits including shade and greenery along Brentwood Street. 

Phase 2 - Project Construction

In June 2009 CRWA was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Harvard Partnership Fund as a match for funding from DCR to help implement the Everett Street Greening Demonstration Project. Click here for a PDF flier with details about the project and our urban restoration work. Details about the first phase of this project, begun in February 2008, are available below.

Project construction started on April 12, 2010, and co

Construction of the Everett Street Greening Demonstration Project at the German School site.

ntinued for two weeks. Following a site design created by CRWA, independent landscape contractors removed existing asphalt pavement and installed various low impact development (LID) stormwater management techniques, including a rain garden, native plant beds, a new grass lawn and a walkway made of permeable pavers. Click here to view photos of the construction. Seven new street trees were planted along Everett Street, including one red maple that is part of a stormwater tree pit, a LID technique that infiltrates, treats and absorbs stormwater runoff on site.

On May 15, 2010, community members and local volunteers participated in a day of collaborative greening. Native trees and shrubs were planted throughout the site and mulch was spread on the plant beds. Participants received training on the seasonal and annual maintenance that is required for the sustainable landscape features. During the following weeks, wooden benches and planters were installed, creating an inviting seating area underneath the maple trees.

On June 21, 2010, Mayor Menino inaugurated the Everett Street Community Green Space. The public gathering highlighted the significant site improvements and continuing commitments to neighborhood and city-wide sustainability goals. Click here to read a press release, or click here to watch a video on the event by Boston Neighborhood Network.

Phase 1 - Planning and Design

DCR's Urban Forestry Challenge Grant enabled CRWA to start Phase 1 of developing a Green Street demonstration project along a section of Everett Street in Allston and Brighton.

Phase 1 of the project included a number of tasks:

Task 1: Site selection and assessment of existing conditions

Following a site visit with representatives from DCR, City of Boston Parks Department, Urban Ecology Institute and ABGSA, the project team short listed three sites out of the 6 being considered at the start of the project. These three sites (namely 119 Braintree Street site, St. Anthony's / German School site and Brian J. Honan Apartment site) were further evaluated based on criteria such as runoff volume, pollution level, implementation, permitting, visibility, maintenance, potential for public education and involvement. On the basis of the ranking, the St. Anthony's / German School site was selected for further site assessment, documentation of existing conditions, and concept design.

Task 2: Evaluation of green street design elements and best management practices

CRWA's Green Roof BMP Info Sheet

Part 1 - The project team completed the evaluation of various green streets elements like stormwater planters, tree pits, rain gardens, permeable pavers and pavements in terms of their effectiveness in capturing and treating stormwater and compiled fact sheets summarizing this information (see example at right).

Click here to view these documents in PDF format including an 'Evaluation of Green Street Design Elements and Best Management Practices' and CRWA's fact sheets on best management practices such as stormwater tree pits, stormwater planters, rain gardens, and permeable pavers and pavements.

Part 2 - In addition to the above, CRWA drafted a document that summarizes the research that the project team had undertaken on evaluating City of Boston standards for street trees and tree pit designs for their effectiveness in stormwater management. This document has since evolved into a research paper on Stormwater, Trees, and the Urban Environment.

Task 3: Development of design specifications for street trees and tree pits

A street tree planting plan and design specifications for street trees and tree pits were developed based on stormwater flow patterns, pedestrian movement, and transportation needs. In addition to the planting plan, other Low Impact Development best management practices were proposed at a concept design level for the site based upon stormwater management and recharge goals.

In July 2009, the project team proposed three possible concept designs for the site which were presented at the Allston-Brighton Summer Slam. Click here to view a PDF on the basic concept designs. The team then finalized the concept design for the site, which was presented at the Green Street Lecture social in November. Click here to view a PDF of the presentation.

Task 4: Public outreach and communication with stakeholders

The project team met with various stakeholders to discuss the project and raise awareness on the benefits of urban forestry and improved stormwater management. In addition to making presentations to representatives from St. Anthony’s Church and the German International School, the project team coordinated with the ABGSA on a regular basis and the keeping the larger community abreast with the project as it evolved.

As a result of the awareness generated by the ABGSA on benefits of urban forestry, several efforts were undertaken in Allston Brighton to promote neighborhood greening.

The Walk for Open Space took place on June 2, 2008. 35 participants took a four mile walk through the Allston Brighton neighborhood which included a walk along Everett Street and a discussion of the German School site.

The Allston Brighton Green Space Advocates Summer Slam annual picnic took place on July 16, 2008 at the Brian J. Honan Apartments and St. Anthony’s Church/German International Day School in Allston. 35 Allston-Brighton residents attended the meeting which included a potluck picnic, a guided tour of a segment of Everett Street, and a presentation on designs for the Green Streets demonstration project on the school/church site. 

A second public meeting was held in November 2008 as a part of a Green Street Lecture social to raise awareness of the project and its goals and elicit feedback on the final concept design. In addition, information about the project has been distributed to organizations to raise awareness of the project and its goals, and public meetings have been held with stakeholders during the assessment and planning process. 

A brochure was created for helping with outreach and communication about the project and help with maintenance of the various stormwater BMP’s that have been proposed on the German School / St. Anthony’s site. Click here to view the Everett Maintenance Brochure PDF.

For more information

Read about the project in the Allston-Brighton Tab:
CDC takes the grassroots route for a greener Allston-Brighton , July 24, 2009.

Contact Pallavi Mande for more information. Click here for contact information.

Updated December 2011