Boston, MA-NH (1888PressRelease)
April 04, 2007 - Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the Boston Public Health Commission awarded Fields Corner Main Street (FCMS) $20,000 to develop and implement a program to improving “walkability” by reducing litter in the Fields Corner commercial district. The grant was one of six totaling $114,000 awarded to Boston Main Street districts to develop individual initiatives promoting a healthier Boston.
On Saturday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m. Mayor Menino and key members from Fields Corner Main Street, SCI Dorchester's Dorchester Youth Council (DYC), the Vietnamese American Civic Association (VACA), and the Boston Public Health Commission will kick off the public outreach part of the program in front of Domino’s Pizza at 205 Adams Street. Immediately following, teen leaders from DYC and VACA will distribute brooms and dustpans to storeowners, encouraging them to take pride in their section of the sidewalk and keep it clean! The broom giveaway will focus on outreach to 140 first-floor businesses in the FCMS district.
The objectives of the campaign are to have cleaner streets and sidewalks - resulting in a healthier community with more shoppers and diners in Fields Corner; encourage greater business participation; and empower youth to take pride in their community by not littering. Partnering with FCMS on this project are Social Capital Inc. Dorchester (SCI Dorchester) and the Vietnamese American Civic Association.
The initial stage of the program included a litter assessment—an evaluation of litter patterns along Dorchester Avenue. During the month of January, FCMS sponsored a “Name the Campaign” contest. Dorchester resident and FCMS board member Lee Adelson submitted the winning slogan, "Don't Spot the Dot." FCMS will distribute posters, decals, and bumper stickers with the slogan to area businesses and residents. As an additional component of the campaign, Dorchester Youth Council teens will conduct anti-litter workshops to area middle school students in the spring.
Fields Corner Main Street works to make Dorchester's historic commercial district of Fields Corner stronger and livelier. Focusing on the Dorchester Avenue business district from Melville Avenue to Freeport Street, FCMS provides design and financial assistance for improving storefronts; works on streetscape beautification; conducts market research; provides merchants with tools to compete in today’s market; recruits new businesses to the neighborhood; and markets the area as a vibrant and unique place to shop, eat, live and work.
Contact:
Evelyn Darling,
Executive Director,
w: 617-474-1432,
c: 617-750-6250
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