The first LANA meeting of 2021 will be this coming Monday, January 10th at 7 pm. LANA will be meeting virtually.  An Eversource representative will be on hand to answer questions. Now is your opportunity to ask questions to a real person from Eversource, so join us. LANA has been concerned about improving the mobility and accessibility along Walter Street, and there are several places where there are multiple telephone poles along Walter Street and elsewhere. Zoning issues on the agenda. The owners of 9 Farquhar Street are planning an addition and will be on hand to talk about their need for zoning relief at 9 Farquhar.   To get the Zoom link, register using the EventBrite link below:

On Saturday, December 11, 2021, the community came out to celebrate building affordable housing while preserving the wetlands. Thanks especially to Mayor Wu, Councilors Matt O’Malley and Arroyo, Senator Representative Nika Elugardo, and Habit for Humanity.

We are kicking off our celebration this Saturday at noon at 108 Walter Street to thank and celebrate our many partners and officials working with us to advance equity and climate resiliency by saving the Roslindale Wetlands and creating four units of affordable home ownership. Invited attendees include Mayor Wu, Councilors O’Malley and Arroyo, State Senator Rush, State Representatives Coppinger and Elugardo, Habitat for Humanity, and others!  Join us in celebrating the acquisitions of 104-108 Walter and the Durst parcel, as well as the second anniversary of the Boston Wetlands Ordinance. We also want to thank you for your help and support and making these acquisitions happen.  Grassroots neighborhood support is a key to success!

In addition, LANA will be hosting a Roslindale Wetlands 25+1 Walk at 2 pm stepping off from Selwyn & Robken Road.

Sunday, November 14^th at noon, we will meet to plant daffodil bulbs at the pocket parks at South & Walter.  We probably have enough bulbs to also plant some at Fallon Field and public spaces in the LANA area.  Bring a trowel, some work gloves and join us in planting 300+ bulbs.  

We want to get the bulbs planted for spring cheer, before the cold weather really sets-in, so it’s all hands-on deck.  We need your help.  Meet your neighbors, and join in for an hour or so, and let’s get the daffodils planted!

Thank you to Boston Parks for providing daffodil bulbs to beautify all of Boston’s neighborhoods!  They are relying on us to help plant them. 

So, grab your trowel and some garden gloves. A rake or 2 might be helpful.  And let’s plant some this Sunday, Meet at the pocket parks at South & Walter at noon, this Sunday, November 14th.  

The regular bi-monthly LANA meeting will be Monday, November 8^th at 7 pm via Zoom.  Please register here at Eventbrite to get the zoom line.  Paul Sutton will inform us as to the progress of the Ecological Restoration project at the Roslindale Wetlands. Bring your questions and comments.  There will be updates from Habitat as to 104 Walter and Roslindale liaison Uju Chinonye, and discussions on membership and bettering mobility/ transport issues in the LANA area.  Two zoning relief requests will be presented, as well as the request for a letter of support regarding Crane’s Ledge.  Sign up at Eventbrite and join in the conversation tomorrow, Monday, November 8^th at 7 pm.   The full agenda can be found at this link.

Topics include two zoning cases (one on Walworth St and a second on Mendum St), an update on the ecological restoration of the Roslindale Wetlands, a report from the Transportation working group, approval of September Annual and Board Meeting Minutes, Membership report, and more!

An Eventbrite link will be posted soon to register and get the Zoom link.

Join us for the first in a series of Neighborhood Walks this Saturday at 2 pm. The October walk begins at the playground at Fallon Field.  Yes, you know the one with the towering yellow and blue slide overlooking the corner of Walworth and South Streets.  Come find out about the playground, Fallon Field with and the Longfellow Gardens on Walter Street. Take a short walk, enjoy the outdoors, learn more about the ‘hood and meet neighbors.  See you at 2 pm, Saturday Oct 23^rd at the Fallon Field Playground. 

The Longfellow Area Neighborhood Association is celebrating 25+1 years of service and advocacy to the neighborhood.  We thought we’d look back and see if we could identify 25+1 Accomplishments.  To our delight, the list of accomplishments kept growing for this all-volunteer, neighbor-run organization.   LANA has done amazing things for the neighborhood — we’ve have successfully advocated and worked for:

• Affordable housing which facilitated 43 units of senior housing and four units of affordable home ownership are underway;
• Creation of a playground for children of all ages at Fallon Field;
• Roslindale Wetlands;
• Placemaking with the Pocket Park at South and Walter;
• Good development within the neighborhood; 
• Safer streets; and
• Family/ community events, such as the After Party following the Roslindale Day Parade.

See how LANA has been making a difference over the last 25+1 years. Visit our 25+1 Anniversary page by clicking here!

Agenda includes Zoning: Variance request for 53-55 South Fairview (corner of South Fairview and South Walter STs), Centre & Walter Street Intersection Update, Roslindale Day Parade After Party, Wetlands Task Force, presentation by Jim Kostaras, CEO of Habitat for Humanity on the 104 Walter Street project.. Election of Board Officers will also occur during the Annual Meeting, along with the President’s Report & Comments. Paid members may cast votes for the Board. Register using Eventbrite.

You many download the full agenda here.

Register for the meeting:

Longfellow Area Neighborhood Association (LANA)

The 2021 LANA annual meeting will be Monday, September 13 at 7 pm. All are welcomed!  We will be celebrating 25+1.  Last year due to the pandemic, we couldn’t celebrate LANA’s twenty-fifth anniversary, so this year, it’s 25+1.  LANA has been making a difference and advocating successfully for neighborhood improvements since inception.  Come to the annual meeting and find out more.  We are meeting via Zoom.  Please register at Eventbrite at:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lana-annual-meeting-september-13-2021-tickets-168169805415

Get Involved – Serve on the LANA Board

At the Annual Meeting, the LANA membership will be electing new members of the board to serve.  Any member in good standing of LANA is eligible to serve on the Board.  This year, we have the following open seats and folks up for re-election.  There are 5 three-year terms to fill, plus 2 one-year terms, and 1 year-term at the Annual Meeting. If you are interested in serving, please contact President Kathy McCabe at mccabek@aol.com for further information.   

Incumbents running for re-election include Wayne Beitler, Sue Forti, Julia O’Brien and Rachel Young.  We welcome new people and new energy to the board!

Join LANA

Make a difference and improve the neighborhood by joining LANA.  LANA is dependent on your memberships to help pay for the website, publish and distribute the newsletter, sponsor the After Party to the Roslindale Day Parade and advocate for neighborhood improvements, such as the 104-108 Walter Street project.  Your membership dues are critical to keeping the neighborhood strong and LANA operating!  Dues are only $20 per person per year. LANA is a tax exempt, tax deductible organization.  As part of the 25+1celebration, consider donating 25+1 to LANA and/or buying a gift of membership for a family member or neighbor!  You can pay online or mail your dues (along with your name, address and email) to LANA, PO Box 222, Roslindale, MA  02131.  

What’s 25 + 1?

LANA is celebrating 25 years +1 years (actually 26 years of service to the neighborhood, but who’s counting).  Since we were all hibernating last year due to the Coronavirus, LANA is celebrating 25+1 years (or actually 26 years of services to the neighborhood).   We are kicking off 25+1 years of celebration at the Annual Meeting.  Watch for a new LANA logo in the coming weeks.  Plus, we will be celebrating with the entire neighborhood at the After Party following the Roslindale Day Parade on Sunday October 3^rd with lots of family fun and music.   Dust off your walking shoes, and stay tuned for announcements regarding periodic LANA walks in the neighborhood to get to know neighbors.  We are hoping for a fun year to celebrate with old friends, welcome new friends, and continue LANA’s successful track record of making positive changes for the LANA area of Roslindale.  Stay tuned and bring your dancing shoes to the Annual Meeting and the After Party.  Let’s celebrate!!!

It’s Official—Habitat for Humanity to Develop 4 Units

The Boston Planning and Development Agency voted unanimously to tentatively designate Habitat for Humanity as the developer for four units of affordable home ownership at 104 Walter Street.  The winning design plan is closely aligned with the guidance developed through the neighborhood planning/ consultation process organized by LANA in October 2020.  BPDA board members praised the design plan for its sensitivity, incorporating open space and housing, the involvement of LANA neighbors.   

Congratulations to the Habitat for Humanity team!  LANA looks forward to working with Habitat and neighbors to make sure the 104 Walter Street affordable homeownership project is a success!

Many thanks to project manager Morgan McDaniel for skillfully shepherding the 104-108 Walter Street project through the BPDA review and designation process.  Kudos to our elected officials Council President Matt O’Malley, City Councilors Ricardo Arroyo, Michelle Wu, Andrea Campbell, Mike Flaherty and Julia Mejia and Acting Mayor Kim Janey who all supported the 104-104 Walter Street project.  A special shout out to Chief Sheila Dillion and her team at the Department of Neighborhood Development, especially John Fueurbach, Kirstin Studlien, as well as Chief Mariama White-Hammond of Environment, Energy & Open Space and former Chief Chris Cook, Aldo Ghirin and Paul Sutton of Boston Parks and Nick Moreno of the Boston Conservation Commission. 

Many people, including neighbors, the LANA Board and Roslindale Wetlands Task Force, as well as folks behind the scenes have helped us reach this milestone.  Thank you to everyone!  

The After Party

The Roslindale Day Parade will step off from Roslindale Village by Adams Park at 1 pm on Sunday, October 3^rd and march down Belgrade to Holy Name Circle and continue down South Street to Fallon Field.  LANA and the Roslindale Day Parade Committee are sponsoring an After Party following the parade at Fallon Field.  Games, Popcorn, Popsicles, Info Tables, Music, and More. Fun for All Ages until 5 pm.  Don’t miss it!  If you want to participate, volunteer, sponsor and join in, contact Rachel LongfellowArea@gmail.com.  

Dates to Remember:

Monday, September 6^.   Labor Day.  Remember to be kind and thank essential workers and health care workers for all the work they do.

Monday – Wednesday, September 6 to 8.  Rosh Hashanah.

Monday, September 13.  LANA Annual Meeting.  All are welcomed.  Register at Eventbrite.  

Tuesday, September 14.  Primary Election Day.  Make sure your voice is heard, VOTE!

Wednesday and Thursday, September 15-16.  Yom Kippur. 

Saturday, September 18^th, RoslinTrail Community Bike Ride, 10 am.  Meet in the Square.  

Saturday, September 25.  Roslindale Porchfest.  Listen to 100 performances — bands and music on 63 porches throughout the LANA neighborhood and Roslindale:   http://www.roslindalearts.org/roslindale-porch-fest/      

Sunday, October 3.  Roslindale Day Parade steps off at 1 pm and marches from Roslindale Village along Belgrade to West Roxbury Parkway, to Centre Street, to South Street, and ending at Robert Street at Fallon Field.  

Sunday, October 3.   The After Party at Fallon Field, Following the parade 2 to 3-ish until 5 pm sponsored by the Roslindale Parade Committee and LANA.