The 11 teenagers that have been working to make improvements along East Boston’s Greenway and Belle Isle Marsh were honored last Thursday.
The teens and their supervisor, Timbah Bell, were thrown a small party at the Greenway by Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN). The workers also got the chance to give a tour of the Greenway and show off their efforts this summer.
Since July the teens were part of BNAN’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), which employed a total of 47 teens working all over the city.
Under the leadership of Bell the teens spent the summer learning about their environment and earning a paycheck all at the same time. The crew paid special attention to making the path open and inviting to visitors through landscape management.
In addition, the crew also worked at Marsh where they created new trails and access points. They also prepared a presentation for school age kids introducing them to the marsh and how to protect it.
Several residents came down to the Marginal/Bremen street entrance to the Greenway to see all the great work the YCC teens had done.
As one YCC teen put it, “I think we have worked very hard and I feel that I have made a big impact in my community.”
The YCC program is made possible by Department of Conservation and Recreation, City of Boston Youth Fund, City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Paul and Edith Babson Foundation, Copeland Family Foundation, East Boston Greenway Council, Foundation M, Green Leaf Foundation, George Macomber Family Charitable Gift Fund, Neponset River Greenway Council, Croll Foundation, Tomfohrde Foundation, Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation and Individual Donors.
BNAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing together local residents, partner organizations, public officials and foundations to preserve, expand, and enhance urban open space, including community gardens, greenways, and urban wilds.
For more information about the organization, becoming a member or the calendar of events, visit www.bostonnatural.org or call 617-542-7696.