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Neighbors fight college for open space
By Susan Haverson, Correspondent
Thu Jan 31, 2008, 11:39 AM EST
Brighton -

Brighton - Will Boston College take away their open space and recreational opportunities, college neighbors worried just days before the deadline for residents to send comments to the city regarding Boston College’s proposed 10-year institutional master plan. A group of neighbors voiced its concerns this week to fellow community members on the Boston College community task force.

Resident Michael Pahre told the group that Allston-Brighton has just 4.8 acres of open space for every thousand people, which is less than the city average. The seminary land contains 58 percent of the neighborhood’s unprotected, private open space, he said.

Neighbors worried that land protected as part of a 10-year plan would lose its protection once those years passed.

When Charlie Vasiliades said that zoning is a problem, and buffers should have conservation restrictions on them to make sure they really are preserved, his fellow neighbors responded with applause. Other residents suggested similar restrictions for the playing fields and the seminary’s green space. Resident Sandy Furman agreed that open space needs to be protected by “legal restrictions with teeth.”

Neighbor Leland Webster said, “The reservoir is the last great piece of public open space in our area.” He hoped it could be preserved in its entirety. If that were impossible, he hoped the buildings in the area would be for academic use.

Eva Webster, like other neighbors, wanted adequate buffer zones and setbacks. “We can’t count on an institutional campus to be a public park,” she said.

Wilma Wetterstrom of Oak Square said, “Open space does a lot.” It lowers the temperature in the summer and supports wildlife, she explained. On the other hand, she said, artificial turf doesn’t support life except that of the bacteria that gets on it via users’ sweat and drool.

Along with artificial turf on the playing field, a fenced-in athletic area was objected to. Shelby Marshall, a resident, requested having enough open space around the fenced-in area to let community members walk around.

Heijung Kim, a resident and member of Allston-Brighton Green Space Advocates, said, “The BC community seems to want to close itself off from the rest of the communities around it.”

Resident Ann LaRosee urged neighbors to write to the mayor. “One person is in charge of the city of Boston,” she said. She exhorted people to tie up the mayor’s telephone for hours. Otherwise, she warned, no progress would be made.

While the Boston College Task Force will send the BRA a written summary of input received at the January community meetings, people are encouraged to send their own letters to the BRA. No special forms are required.