Sal LaMattina joins EBMS volunteers on cutting the ribbon on the new tree pit beautification program in Eastie’s business district.
Over the past few months a group of dedicated community volunteers worked with East Boston Main Streets to begin creating decorative tree pit frames and boxes as well as signage in the neighborhoods business districts.
On Saturday morning EBMS, volunteers and City Councilor Sal LaMattina joined residents to cut the ribbon on the first tree pit completed on Maverick Street outside Main Streets office. The tree pit’s decorative wrought-iron fence, signage and advertising kiosk were dedicated to LaMattina for his support of the project.
Utilizing grant money provided by Boston Parks and Recreation and the Boston Main Streets Foundation, EBMS was able to complete phase one of a long term strategy to beautify the East Boston business district by providing business owners, residents, and visitors with the advantages that come with beautiful neighborhood signage and protected tree-pits that can be used as a canvass for colorful flowers and public art.
“We want to change the narrative in the business district from one that is steeped in righteous indignation and heartfelt frustration with our trash and litter issues to one that celebrates and emphasizes the beauty of our neighborhood,” said EBMS Director Max Gruner. “We are hopeful that business owners and residents alike will take enthusiastic ownership of the opportunities these tree-pits provide them by planting beautiful flowers that celebrate East Boston’s beauty and vibrancy.”
Gruner recognize the volunteers who spent hundreds of hours planning, designing, and manufacturing the tree-pit surrounds now proudly placed in the business district outside the Main Street office and along Meridian Street.
“It is with gratitude to Matt Pollock, Josh Kampa, Rebecca Millsop, Andrew Martin, Todd McKay, Madison McKay, Mic Billingsley, John Casamassima, Sean Broderick, Billy