Opening Our Doors Tour: Historic Treasures of the Back Bay Fens
2025-10-13 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Shattuck Visitor Center, 125 The Fenway, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
What do a 17th-century Japanese Temple Bell, a bridge made of Roxbury puddingstone, and a tree once thought extinct have in common? They all reside in the Back Bay Fens. Learn about these and other treasures on a guided walking tour of the Back Bay Fens that is sure to bring out the history detective in you!
Register below. If the registration form does not appear, try opening this page in an Incognito/private browsing window.

View other Opening Our Doors programming here.

Back on my Feet Walk
2025-09-22 05:45 - 06:30 | Franklin Park, Boston
Back on My Feet empowers people to break free from the cycles of poverty, homelessness, and/or addiction through the power of running/walking, community support, and employment resources.
They run and walk 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) to build a sense of community and responsibility.

Mayor’s Cup Cross Country
2025-10-26 09:30 - 23:00 | Franklin Park, Boston
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with USATF New England, invites runners of all ages to take part in the 35th annual Mayor’s Cup Cross Country Tournament at Franklin Park. The event will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, continuing a proud tradition of competitive and community cross country racing in Boston’s largest green space.

Founded in 1990 by legendary Boston coach Bill Squires to bring open cross country racing back to Franklin Park, the inaugural Mayor’s Cup began with just nine entrants. Today, the event draws nearly 1,000 participants each year, ranging from youth runners to international-caliber athletes. Each race takes on Franklin Park’s iconic Bear Cage Hill.
This year’s Mayor’s Cup features a full slate of races, including:

Youth races (8U, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14)
Franklin Park 5K All-Comers Women
Franklin Park 5K All-Comers Men

The youth races will include medals to the top 3 individuals in each division and medals to the 3 scoring members of the top 3 teams in each race (Team scoring will combine 8/U and 9-10 in one race). The Franklin Park 5K All Comers will feature age divisions (15–18, 19–39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+). The overall race winners earning the Mayor’s Cup award and the top teams winning the Bill Squires Cup.
Pre-registration is required for all races.

Tour: Historic Treasures of the Back Bay Fens
2025-10-26 13:00 - 14:30 | Shattuck Visitor Center, 125 The Fenway, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
What do a 17th-century Japanese Temple Bell, a bridge made of Roxbury puddingstone, and a tree once thought extinct have in common? They all reside in the Back Bay Fens. Learn about these and other treasures on a guided walking tour of the Back Bay Fens that is sure to bring out the history detective in you!
Register below. If the registration form does not appear, try opening this page in an Incognito/private browsing window.

Trick or Tree with ENC!
2025-10-31 17:00 - 20:00 | James Michael Curley House, 350 Jamaicaway, Boston, MA, 02130, United States
Stop by 350 Jamaicaway on your Halloween route for candy and goodies from the Emerald Necklace Conservancy team!

Last Night of Boston Lights at the Franklin Park Zoo
2025-11-02 17:00 - 22:30 | Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA, 02121, United States
Get your glow on at an all-new Boston Lights!
Prepare to be dazzled as you wander through this immersive experience filled with lanterns, interactive displays and Instagrammable moments at every turn.
Boston Lights draws inspiration from natural habitats around the globe, including mountainous plateaus, rainforest canopies and undersea reefs. This year, walk through our shimmering mystical forest, which features floral-themed light tunnels, mythical animal designs, and a majestic glowing owl, measuring over 22 feet tall! Discover China’s rich heritage as you journey through a dazzling array of traditional lanterns, featuring pandas, pheasants, peacocks and dragons.
Learn more and purchase tickets at the Zoo New England website.

LALH Film Event: Racisim and the American Park
2025-11-04 18:30 - 21:30 | Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, United States
Powerful storytelling about the role of parks in shaping the American experience
and the destructive effect of racial injustice on these public spaces.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 6:30 PM
Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA

Join an evening of film and conversation with three of America’s leading park historians—Ethan Carr, Rolf Diamant, and William O’Brien—cosponsored by Friends of Fairsted and Library of American Landscape History.

No More Sewage in the Charles!
2025-11-07 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-12 18:30 - 19:30
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) recently proposed a plan that would allow for sewage to continue to be dumped into the Charles River forever.
During a meeting with its Board of Directors, MWRA officials presented multiple possible options for addressing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the Charles, and recommended the option leading to the largest increase in sewage discharging to the River.
The MWRA Board of Directors will vote on the proposal on November 19. We need your help to let them know this is unacceptable.
Join us for one of these two webinars to learn what the proposed plan entails, why the board should reject it, and what you can do to influence their vote.
Why is there sewage in the Charles River? Learn more here.

Second Saturdays: Volunteer Stewardship at Jamaica Pond
2025-11-08 10:00 - 12:00 | James Michael Curley House, 350 Jamaicaway, Boston, MA, 02130, United States
Join Emerald Necklace Conservancy staff and volunteers with land stewardship work in the Emerald Necklace parks! This month, we will be working at Jamaica Pond Park.
Registration is required in order to participate in this event. Those who register will automatically receive an email with further details, including the necessary waivers to sign and specific information on where to meet and what to expect on the day of the event.
Please email volunteer@emeraldnecklace.org with inquiries on this event or other volunteer opportunities.
Register below; if the signup form does not load, try opening this page in an incognito/private browsing window:

2025 Fenway Open Studios
2025-11-08 11:00 - 2025-11-09 17:00 | Fenway Studios, 30 Ipswich Street, Boston, MA, 02215, United States
Step inside history and creativity at Boston’s Historic Fenway Studios during our annual Fall Open Studios.
November 8 & 9, 2025
11 am to 5 pm
30 Ipswich St, Boston, MA 02215
Fenway Studios is a National Historic Landmark building and the oldest purpose-built structure in the United States constructed solely for artists’ space. Built in 1905 to support Boston’s artistic community, the building continues to thrive as home to a vibrant group of working artists.
On November 8 and 9, visitors are invited to explore the studios, meet the artists, and experience the creative process firsthand. Over 25 artists will participate, opening their doors to share paintings, works in progress, and stories behind their art.
Artists at Fenway Studios work in a wide range of styles, from abstract expressionism to post-modern realism. Whether your taste leans toward bold, contemporary work or finely detailed realism, you’ll discover inspiring art that reflects the diversity and energy of Boston’s cultural scene.
The event is free and open to the public. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Boston’s living art history while connecting directly with the artists who carry forward the legacy of Fenway Studios.

Veterans Day
2025-11-11

Winter Clothing Drive Volunteer Sorting
2025-11-11 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-18 13:00 - 15:00 | James Michael Curley House, 350 Jamaicaway, Boston, MA, 02130, United States
Since 2021, the Conservancy’s annual Winter Clothing Drive has provided over 3,000 coats, hats, gloves, and other cold-weather items for Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD). Help us count and sort donations for this year’s drive at our offices at the James Michael Curley House!
Register below:
