Based on Ethan Carr’s award-winning book, Boston’s Franklin Park: Olmsted, Recreation, and the Modern City describes the landscape Frederick Law Olmsted designed in 1885 as the centerpiece of a unique municipal park system known as the Emerald Necklace. Weaving together interviews with the author, park advocates, and park users, the film traces its decline, caused by patterns of institutionalized racism on the part of the city of Boston, and the heroic efforts of local residents to save it from ruin. Now, as the city is poised to spend millions of dollars to improve the park, the film presents an important crossroads: “As we look forward to the city—finally, after decades of official neglect—investing major amounts of money in Franklin Park, the question is how should the city move forward?”

A panel discussion on the future of Franklin Park moderated by Keith N. Morgan, President of the Library of American Landscape History, will take place following the film premiere. Panelists include:

• Ethan Carr, Author and professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst;
• Louis Elisa, President of the Garrison Trotter Neighborhood Association, founding member of the Franklin Park Coalition, and community advocate;
• Renee Stacey Welch, Jamaica Plain resident, community advocate, and member of the Franklin Park Defenders;
• Karen Mauney-Brodek, President of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.

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