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The Southwest Corridor Park/Orange Line Greenspace The Boston Nature Center Greenspace The Franklin Park Greenspace The Forest Hills Cemetery Greenspace The Arnold Arboretum Greenspace The Neighborhood of Roslindale The Neighborhood of Mattapan The Neighborhood of Dorchester The Neighborhood of Roxbury The Neighborhood of Jamaica Plain

At the geographic center of Boston lie hundreds of acres of parks and natural spaces, as well as an eclectic collection of neighborhoods that embody the city's growing diversity and dynamism. The "Heart of the City" offers some of the most compelling opportunities - and daunting challenges - of any community in all of Boston.

WHERE THE HEART LIES

The "lungs" of the area are a collection of world-class environmental treasures - the Olmsted-designed Franklin Park, the world-class Arnold Arboretum and Forest Hills Cemetery, the Massachusetts Audubon Society's new Boston Nature Center (rising on the grounds of the old Boston State Hospital), and other parks and open spaces.

Snug against these green areas lie a set of neighborhoods as rich and diverse as any in all of Boston. Jamaica Plain is nestled between Franklin Park, the Forest Hills Cemetery, the Arnold Arboretum, and Jamaica Pond. Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan lie along the Blue Hill Avenue Corridor towards the east of Franklin Park, and Roslindale lies southwest of the Arnold Arboretum.

In these neighborhoods we find a Nation of Islam mosque started by Malcolm X, as well as Swedish Covenant, Haitian Baptist, and Greek Orthodox churches. We find the last of the Roxbury Puddingstone mansions, now home to the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists. We find rejuvenating commercial districts, Irish pubs, and a regional transit hub.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

The opportunities in Boston's heartland are real, but so are the difficulties. Overwhelming traffic congestion and inadequate transit service. Housing prices beyond the reach of many residents. Blocked entrances to parks. Environmental contamination, high asthma rates, and illegal dumping. Fragmented paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. Vacant lots. Low performance at some public schools. Inadequate connections among businesses of all kinds.

Public agencies, community groups, nonprofit organizations, small businesses and major employers - and of course ordinary citizens - are working to meet these challenges in the Heart of the City. They are making parklands and community places vibrant and accessible. Expanding their economic and social opportunities while reducing the incidence of disease and lower the unease of modern life. Building new housing. Allowing enterprise to emerge from thousands of daily interactions. Fostering a rich cultural life.

To succeed they will need strong political commitment, patient coalition-building, and comprehensive and rigorous information that is available to all. The Heart of the City Project aims to give all people who care about this area the tools they need to make sense - and sensible decisions - about this priceless section of the City of Boston.
The Neighborhood of Franklin Park The Greenspace of Arnold The Neighborhood of Roslindale The Southwest Corridor Park Greenspace The Neighborhood of Roxbury The Franklin Park Greenspace The Forest Hills Cemetery Greenspace The Greenspace of the Boston Nature Center The Neighborhood of Dorchester The Neighborhood of Mattapan Larger map of the Heart of the City in Boston