Vernal pools are temporary ponds formed in the spring due to melting snow.  They are critical habitats for a variety of animal and plant species.  Experience the amazing microscopic world that shares your world every day. 

We will also host a planting of native shrubs to help keep the ecosystem healthy.

Due to current health guidelines we are capping this event at 20 participants.  Masks are required, hand sanitizer will be provided, and social distancing protocols will be followed. Rain date is May 2 at the same time and location.

To register or for more information, contact Paul Sutton at 617-961-3029 or paul.sutton@boston.gov.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will be bringing the annual Children’s Winter Festival to Boston Common in partnership with the Highland Street Foundation during school vacation week on Wednesday, February 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Additional support is being provided by XFINITY, Capital One, the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, L.L. Bean, and Cricket Wireless. 

“The Children’s Winter Festival gives kids and families the opportunity to enjoy a day of outdoor fun in downtown Boston,” said Mayor Walsh. “Come join us for free games and activities on the Common during public school vacation week.”

Among the attractions will the 45-foot-long Toboggan Tunnel mountainous adventure with twin roller lanes, the 30-foot-high inflatable Everest Climb N Slide, a Ski Lift photo op, and much more.  In addition, the Highland Street Foundation is sponsoring a week-long Winter Camp at the Boston Common Frog Pond with free skating and rentals for all ages from Monday, February 18, through Friday, February 22.  You can find more information on Winter Camp skating online.

The festival will also feature 103.3 AMP Radio’s JD, giveaways (while supplies last) from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” Signature Collection 30th Anniversary Edition and “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” and refreshments from Power Crunch protein energy bars, Cabot Cheese with Fuel Up To Play 60, KIND Snacks, and Nature’s Path.

Additional support is being provided by Magic 106.7 and 103.3 AMP Radio.  For more information, please call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505, visit our the Parks homepage, or go to our Facebook page.

Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and title sponsor The Province of Nova Scotia will host Boston’s signature holiday celebration, the 83rd annual Boston Common Tree Lighting, on Thursday, December 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Boston Common, adjacent to the Visitor’s Information Center at 139 Tremont Street. 

The event is supported by title sponsor Province of Nova Scotia, presenting sponsor Amazon, signature sponsors JetBlue and Meet Boston, community sponsors Bank of America and Constellation, and media partners WCVB Channel 5 and The Boston Globe. A sampling village will feature giveaways and refreshments from JetBlue, H.P. Hood, New England Coffee, Harry Potter, The Exhibition, and Raising Cane’s while supplies last. Sponsors of the “Make the Common Glow for the Holidays” who make the lighting of the Common and Public Garden possible include The Lynch Family Foundation, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, the Friends of the Public Garden, and Gilbane Building Company.

WCVB Channel 5’s Chronicle co-anchors Anthony Everett and Shayna Seymour will host Channel 5’s live broadcast of the event beginning at 7:00 p.m. American Authors, 5x platinum recording artists, and 2x Grammy nominees who got their start in Boston at Berklee College of Music, will headline with hit songs like “Best Day of My Life” and “Christmas Karaoke”. This year’s entertainment includes Halifax pop singer-songwriter Ria Mae, songs from A Christmas Carol performed by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, the soulful melodies of Mi’kmaq folk artist and fiddler Morgan Toney, the legendary vocals of Boston-based jazz and gospel icon Renese King, a heartwarming performance by the Boston Children’s Chorus, and more.

The holiday lights throughout both parks will light up in sequence shortly before 8 p.m. when Mayor Wu is joined onstage by Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

A sampling village will feature a photo-op, giveaways, and refreshments from several companies while supplies last.

Immediately following the celebration on the Boston Common, Mayor Michelle Wu, the Friends of the Public Garden, and the Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall will  flip the switch to light up Commonwealth Avenue Mall. 

Please call (617) 635-4505 or visit our tree lighting page for more information about the festivities. To stay up to date with news and events in Boston parks, sign up for the email list  and follow the social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The City of Boston's Environment Department and Parks and Recreation Department are organizing a clean-up at the Bussey Brook Meadow Urban Wild in Jamaica Plain. The cleanup will take place on: 

• Saturday, November 10, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
• 407 South Street, Jamaica Plain 02130

Volunteer sign-up

A major component of the cleanup will be the picking up and disposing of trash in the surrounding area. Another component will involve the physical removal and disposal of invasive species. 

Invasive species are a group of organisms that are not native to a specific area and are harmful to the native organisms. This is due to the competition for resources that they create among the native organisms. 

The Parks and Recreation Department will lead the education and removal of invasive species portion of the event. They will help volunteers identify and remove the invasive species that are affecting the Bussey Brook Urban Wild.

If you would like to be a part of this event, please fill out this form. If you need assistance getting to and from Bussey Brook Meadow, please note that in this form and a representative will contact you to coordinate transportation. 

1. Water
2. Jacket
3. A hat
4. Sunglasses
5. Bug spray
6. Close-toed shoes
7. Pants or sweatpants
8. Tools and gloves, if you have them

By train: get off the train at the Forrest Hills train stop on the Orange Line. Walk out of the station towards the Arnold Arboretum. Enter Bussey Brook via Chocorua Street. Walk Chocorua Street for 11 minutes. Once you get to South Street, you should the volunteer sign. 

By car: there will be limited parking space, so please use public transportation if you are able to! Go to the address listed above and continue to drive until you see a conglomerate of cars parked and volunteers.

You can learn more about Urban Wilds online, and about the Jamaica Plain Urban Wilds. If you have any questions, please email Greenovate Boston at greenovate@boston.govgreenovate@boston.gov.