Parks Fitness: Walking Group with Brandy
2025-06-07 08:00 - 09:00 (America/New_York) | Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse, 1 Circuit Drive, Dorchester, MA, United States
Participate in FREE fitness classes offered by one of the City of Boston’s certified instructors! Classes are a partnership between the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Boston Public Health Commission. The series is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Learn more and register here.

Second Saturdays: Volunteer Stewardship in Franklin Park
2025-07-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Valley Gates Parking Lot, Boston, MA, United States
Join Emerald Necklace Conservancy staff and volunteers with land stewardship work in the Emerald Necklace parks! This month, we will be working in Franklin 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:

Charlesgate Farmers Market
2025-06-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Charlesgate, Boston, MA, 02215
The Charlesgate Farmers Market returns for the 2025 season! Head to the intersection of Comm Ave and Charlesgate East & West starting Sunday, June 22 for farm-fresh produce, prepared foods and other local goods.

6th Annual WATERGOAT Launch
2025-07-13 11:00 - 13:00 | 50 Charlesgate East, 50 Charlesgate East, Boston, MA, 02215
Hosted by Muddy Water Initiative
Live music, live baby goats, cold drinks, free ice cream and more: Come for the Cleanup, Stay for the Fun! It’s GOATS’n’BOATS on the Muddy River! Spend your Sunday outside doing good for our community and our planet–clean up the Muddy River or just learn about it–come alone or bring friends and family,–meet some people, hold some goats, and have some fun!🐐Next to the historic Richardson Bridge and down the Street from Fenway Park. Get your feet wet and your hands dirty–Make a Difference for our Earth!
The Muddy Water Initiative is having its SIXTH annual WATERGOAT Launch! Sunday July 13, 11am-1pm at the Ipswich Street Bridge (across from 50 Charlesgate East, Boston)—Get to know your Boston Community while doing good for our city and our planet. Available to all levels of mobility –something for all. Come Down to the River and get Muddy with us!

Tuesdays with Roses
2025-07-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Kelleher Rose Garden, Back Bay Fens, Boston, MA, 02115
Join Emerald Necklace Conservancy staff and volunteers in the Kelleher Rose Garden to deadhead and prune roses and to weed the rose beds and borders. Training and tools are provided.
Registration is required in order to participate. Those who register will automatically receive an email with further details, including the necessary waiver 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.
Due to the heat advisory in the City of Boston this week, tonight’s Tuesdays with Roses event is canceled. We hope you will join us for next week’s event on July 22!

Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park
2025-07-15 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park, Pierpont Road and Glen Lane, Boston, MA, 02119
Join the Franklin Park Coalition for a beloved annual tradition, carrying on the legacy of trailblazing arts educator Elma Lewis!
Bring your lawn chairs, lots of friends and a picnic supper (or buy one from food trucks), and enjoy free live R&B, reggae and gospel music in Franklin Park! All shows are Tuesday evening from 6pm to dusk.
Featuring Amanda “Lady Emcee” Merricks – back for her 10th Playhouse season.
July 8 – Athene Wilson
July 15 – Maryknoll Terrace
July 22 – The Real Last Call of Boston
July 29 – Nephrok
August 7 (Thurs) – Caribbean Night with Safiya
August 12 – Canitra Rashe and AP & The Groove
August 19 – Move the Crowd DJ Showdown

Boston Park Rangers Stable Tour
2025-07-17 16:00 - 17:30 | Franklin Park Maintenance Yard, 275 Canterbury Street, Boston, MA, 02131
Join the Boston Park Rangers on a tour of their Franklin Park stable as they introduce you to they equine partners. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how the Boston Park Rangers operate their stable. This tour is intended for all ages; children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Learn more at the City of Boston website.

4th Annual Art in the Park
2025-07-20 10:00 - 16:00 | Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, 99 Warren Street, Brookline, MA, 02445, United States
Enjoy a summer day filled with music and art on the South Lawn!
The day will include performances by Vanessa Trien and The Jumping Monkeys and Juventas New Music Ensemble. Family-friendly art activities will be available throughout the day, as well as tours of the historic design office at set times. This free event is made possible in partnership with the Friends of Fairsted.

11 AM: Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys
2 PM: Juventas New Music Ensemble
10 AM and 1 PM: Staff-Led Tours of the Historic Design Office

Tuesdays with Roses
2025-07-22 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-29 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-08-05 17:30 - 19:30 | Kelleher Rose Garden, Back Bay Fens, Boston, MA, 02115
Join Emerald Necklace Conservancy staff and volunteers in the Kelleher Rose Garden to deadhead and prune roses and to weed the rose beds and borders. Training and tools are provided.
Registration is required in order to participate. Those who register will automatically receive an email with further details, including the necessary waiver 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.
Please note: To increase available volunteer slots, please only register if you’re sure you can attend, and please check your inbox first if you may already be registered.
Register below. If the form does not load, try opening this page in an incognito/private browsing window.

Tour: Exploring Olmsted Park and Jamaica Pond
2025-07-27 11:00 - 12:30 | Downes Field Parking Lot, Pond Ave, Brookline, MA, 02445
Join us for a tour in partnership with the Jamaica Plain Historical Society! Discover the wooded paths, babbling brooks and rolling hills of Olmsted Park and Pinebank, the forested midway point of Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace and source of the Muddy River.
This tour will guide attendees through many of the natural and historic landmarks found in the heart of the Necklace: from glacial ponds to structures that once belonged to the Founding Fathers, and everything in-between!
Registration required; sign up below:

First Night of Boston Lights at the Franklin Park Zoo
2025-08-01 18:00 - 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.

Guided Native & Invasive Plants Walk
2025-08-03 12:00 - 13:00 | “Giraffe” Entrance at the Franklin Park Zoo
Join Zoo New England and the Franklin Park Coalition for a guided nature walk through the beautiful and historic Long Crouch Woods of Franklin Park, where you’ll learn to identify both native and invasive plant species. Led by Franklin Park Ecological Restoration Foreperson, Shannon Borucke, and Franklin Park Zoo Naturalist, Jeff Taylor. This walk is perfect for nature lovers, amateur botanists, and anyone curious about the ecological balance of our local green spaces.
This event is a feature of the Franklin Park Biodiversity Project, a community-driven initiative designed to inspire curiosity, build conservation skills, and celebrate the incredible wildlife thriving in Boston’s largest park.
Led by expert naturalists, the free guided walks invite participants of all ages to explore Franklin Park’s diverse habitats, observe native species, and learn how to support urban biodiversity. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just starting out, there’s something for everyone!
For August event dates and registration, visit zoonewengland.org/walks

Lunch Break Birding
2025-08-05 12:00 - 13:00 | “Giraffe” Entrance at the Franklin Park Zoo
What better way to spend your afternoon than with the sights and sounds of nature! Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just curious about the wildlife in your backyard, this gentle afternoon stroll is a great way to connect with nature and your community. Led by Zoo New England‘s Vice President of Animal Health and Conservation, Eric Baitchman.
This event is a feature of the Franklin Park Biodiversity Project, a community-driven initiative designed to inspire curiosity, build conservation skills, and celebrate the incredible wildlife thriving in Boston’s largest park.
Led by expert naturalists, the free guided walks invite participants of all ages to explore Franklin Park’s diverse habitats, observe native species, and learn how to support urban biodiversity. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just starting out, there’s something for everyone!
For August event dates and registration, visit zoonewengland.org/walks

Salamander Sleuthing Walk
2025-08-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Franklin Park Tennis Courts, MA
Get ready to uncover the secret lives of salamanders! Join Zoo New England for a midday nature walk through Franklin Park as they search for these elusive amphibians in their natural habitat. Led by their Senior Conservationist, John Berkholtz, this hands-on exploration will teach you how to sleuth for salamanders and understand their role in the ecosystem. Perfect for curious minds of all ages!
This event is a feature of the Franklin Park Biodiversity Project, a community-driven initiative designed to inspire curiosity, build conservation skills, and celebrate the incredible wildlife thriving in Boston’s largest park.
Led by expert naturalists, the free guided walks invite participants of all ages to explore Franklin Park’s diverse habitats, observe native species, and learn how to support urban biodiversity. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just starting out, there’s something for everyone!
For August event dates and registration, visit zoonewengland.org/walks

Bugs and Mushrooms Walk
2025-08-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Franklin Park Tennis Courts, MA
Join Zoo New England as they led a walk through Franklin Park and discover the fascinating world of fungi and the tiny creatures that live among them! Led by Franklin Park Zoo Naturalist, Jeff Taylor, they’ll explore the hidden connections between bugs and mushrooms in this vibrant ecosystem.
This event is a feature of the Franklin Park Biodiversity Project, a community-driven initiative designed to inspire curiosity, build conservation skills, and celebrate the incredible wildlife thriving in Boston’s largest park.
Led by expert naturalists, the free guided walks invite participants of all ages to explore Franklin Park’s diverse habitats, observe native species, and learn how to support urban biodiversity. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just starting out, there’s something for everyone!
For August event dates and registration, visit zoonewengland.org/walks

Second Saturdays: Volunteer Stewardship in Olmsted Park
2025-08-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Allerton Overlook, Olmsted Park, Brookline, MA, United States
Join Emerald Necklace Conservancy staff and volunteers with land stewardship work in the Emerald Necklace parks! This month, we will be working in Olmsted 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:

Bird Walk with the Brookline Bird Club
2025-08-10 09:00 - 10:30 | Franklin Park Tennis Courts, MA
Join Zoo New England and the Brookline Bird Club for a free duided walk through Franklin Park on Sunday, August 10th at 9:00am. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just curious about the birds in your neighborhood, this walk is a great way to connect with nature and fellow bird enthusiasts. Co-led by Matthew Kamm, Zoo New England’s Associate Director of Field Conservation, and Michealle Larkins, Trip Leader and Board Member of the Brookline Bird Club.
This event is a feature of the Franklin Park Biodiversity Project, a community-driven initiative designed to inspire curiosity, build conservation skills, and celebrate the incredible wildlife thriving in Boston’s largest park.
Led by expert naturalists, the free guided walks invite participants of all ages to explore Franklin Park’s diverse habitats, observe native species, and learn how to support urban biodiversity. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or just starting out, there’s something for everyone!
For August event dates and registration, visit zoonewengland.org/walks
