Special to the Times-Free Press
On May 21, local residents, advocates, and history enthusiasts gathered at the East Boston Public Library to honor the rich legacy and community effort behind one of the neighborhood’s most cherished public spaces. The Friends of the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway hosted Valerie Burns for a special historical presentation detailing how a visionary community idea grew into the bustling linear park enjoyed by thousands today.
Valerie Burns, Former Director of the Boston National Area Network (BNAN) —a citywide urban open space non-profit which is now known as the Trustees of Reservations—honored the memory of Mary Ellen Welch, the legendary local activist who tirelessly championed the Greenway. Burns, who holds a Bachelor of Science from UMass and previously worked in Boston’s planning department, brought a unique insider perspective, blending personal recollections with a deep understanding of urban open-space development.
Debra Cave, President of the Friends of the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway, introduced Burns as a foundational collaborator whose dedication to the project spans decades and continues to this day.
Reflecting on the monumental effort required to build the park, Burns opened her remarks by stating, “It takes a village.” She emphasized that the Greenway’s success relies entirely on the past and ongoing efforts of individuals who strive to protect, maintain, and expand the space.
Burns shared how her experience working in city government allowed her to navigate the complex funding, politics, and bureaucratic realities of an undertaking like this. Creating the Greenway required collaboration between multiple public institutions—including the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), the Parks Department, Massport, DOT, DCR, and the MDC—alongside key political figures like the late Mayor Thomas Menino Representative Adrian Madaro, and many past and present public official, as well as grassroots community groups.
“No one volunteers like East Boston,” Burns said, praising the neighborhood’s unmatched community spirit. She fondly recalled Mary Ellen Welch’s extraordinary powers of persuasion, noting that “no one could work the magic like her.” Burns described a pivotal moment around 2002 when Welch toured the proposed site with Mayor Menino, coincidentally leading the Mayor shortly afterward to broker a deal with CSX/ConRail. That deal resulted in the donation of the first tract of land for the Greenway, stretching from the former Inner Harbor docks to what was then the Bremen Street train cars’ switching yard, the site of the current Bremen St. Park.
The presentation also highlighted a pivotal moment in the 1990s when regional infrastructure projects, like the construction of the Ted Williams Tunnel, converged with a growing awareness of the “Urban Wild” initiative, which took root in the 1970s. Officially established in 1995, the East Boston Greenway initiative set out with a clear, ambitious goal: to provide a safe, off-road path connecting Boston Harbor to DCR’s Belle Isle Marsh.
Burns concluded by emphasizing that personal advocacy and shared information were the ultimate keys to transforming the neighborhood. She credited a long list of dedicated community figures for the park’s success, including Karen Maddalena, Mary Ellen Welch, Patty D’Amore and the countless neighbors who persevered with the vision of a greener East Boston.
To learn more about the Greenway, upcoming community events, or how to get involved, visit https://maryellenwelchgreenway.org/.