The Boston Transportation Department transformed an East Fenway section of Westland Avenue into the New Edgerly Plaza, aiming to create a safe, accessible public space for pedestrians.
Completed on Nov. 1, the plaza offers visitors a space to eat, relax and gather, and it strives to “simplify the street network,” said Maria Daniela Castillo, a transportation planner at the BTD.
“We are having fewer points of contact between vehicles and pedestrians, and that automatically makes the streets safer,” Castillo said. “That makes people want to linger longer because the space is dedicated to them.”
The Fenway Civic Association celebrated the plaza’s opening with a launch party on Nov. 1. The FCA will assist the City with plaza maintenance.
“The launch [for the] plaza was a really wonderful success, because it brought together a lot of residents from the area,” Castillo said.
Castillo said Whole Foods, located in front of the plaza, has “always been on board with the project.”
“Even though the plaza is city property, we wouldn’t be doing it without their approval,” Castillo said.
City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who represents Fenway, said the plaza adds more space for people to “decompress their stressors” considering how densely populated the Fenway area is.
“Anything that can contribute towards the holistic perspective of the way of life or lifestyle for residents is a good thing,” Anderson said. “It’s going to support the lives of the constituents in many ways.”
Anderson said the plaza serves as an example of what other areas in Boston could look like and a catalyst for change. Her office is currently working with Northeastern University architecture students on an “action research program project” to identify additional locations for similar projects, she said.
“With new employees and new innovative minds adding onto the team, now [City Council has] an appetite for it, so they finally agreed to work with my office on these projects,” Anderson said. “I hope to be able to continue my work to promote more spaces like Edgerly.”
Castillo said the project prioritized accessibility, with input from the Disabilities Commission to ensure the plaza accommodates all residents.
Additionally, Castillo said the plaza’s infrastructure is “movable” in case of emergencies and to allow fire truck access.
“Everything is easily removable, so if the plaza really doesn’t work, we’ll take it down,” Castillo said.
Alex Rivera, 22, a student at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, said the plaza could positively impact Fenway residents.
“There’s Northeastern right there, and a lot of kids, including myself and a lot of my friends, just come here,” Rivera said. “We just walk in, sit here at night and talk.”
However, Max Canny, 22, a student at Berklee College of Music, said the plaza might appeal to pedestrians on a “nice, sunny day” but will most likely not be used as a study space for students in the area.
“It’s not the most study-like place,” Canny said. “It’s not cozy or quiet or comfortable or clean.”
Rivera said the City should consider extending the pedestrian-only area to enhance safety, due to “a lot of cars passing around all the time.”
Canny also said more seating and chairs should be added, and the tables should be cleaned frequently.
Along with these recommendations, Castillo said the BTD has also received “concerns about the loss of parking,” which the BTD is trying to find solutions for.
Ultimately, Castillo said the BTD hopes residents enjoy the plaza, and that it becomes a “good example for partnership between city and community organizations” to beautify a public space.
“We would love for it to become a success story,” Castillo said. “It would be really great for people to just imagine how what was some parking spots could become a vibrant, active plaza.”
