Category: Recreation

Beacon Street Bridle Path moving forward as town enters design phase

A bicyclist takes advantage of newly opened space in the Beacon Street median during a 2019 demonstration event. Photo by Jacob Meunier, courtesy of Friends of the Beacon Street Bridle Path

The town’s ambitious plan to build a bike and pedestrian path down the entire length of the Beacon Street median, reimagining the corridor in the style of the original Frederick Olmsted design, has taken a major step forward. The project, which involves creating a multiuse path next to the MBTA tracks on Beacon Street, is… Continue reading Beacon Street Bridle Path moving forward as town enters design phase

Photos: Brookliners head to the park and the sidewalks in summer sun

Bentley and Archie anticipate a snack during an ice cream social hosted by Far Out Ice Cream and Small Door Veterinary. Photo by Zoe Zekos

[metaslider id=18000] Whether their feet were on the grass of Olmsted Park or the concrete of Coolidge Corner’s sidewalks, there was fun to be had for everyone in Brookline over the weekend. The Brookline Community Foundation held the Brookline Community Parkfest, an outdoor celebration featuring performances, vendors, games, and more. And across town in Coolidge… Continue reading Photos: Brookliners head to the park and the sidewalks in summer sun

‘Barbenheimer’ boom: Double feature brings historic crowds to Coolidge Corner Theatre

Barbie was one of two movies which drew record crowds to Coolidge Corner this weekend. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

This weekend was a blockbuster movie event across the country, and Brookline was no exception. The double feature of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” a satiric take on the iconic toy, and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” an epic historical drama about the making of the atomic bomb, brought moviegoers to Coolidge Corner in droves. The Coolidge Corner Theatre… Continue reading ‘Barbenheimer’ boom: Double feature brings historic crowds to Coolidge Corner Theatre

Summer events: Parkfest, concerts and a walking tour

Brookliners play games at a Juneteenth event earlier this summer. Photo by Zoe Zekos

Looking for ways to spend the summer weekends (plus a few weeknights) in Brookline? We’ve got you covered with ideas below. Some are good for children, some for adults, and some for the whole family. Brookline.News will be launching a full events calendar soon, so consider this a preview of things to come. Check with… Continue reading Summer events: Parkfest, concerts and a walking tour

Q&A: Sam Kennedy on his Brookline roots and the state of the Red Sox

Red Sox team president Sam Kennedy (left) takes in a game at Fenway in 2016 with his father, Rev. Thomas Kennedy. Photo by Stan Grossfeld, Globe Staff, courtesy of The Boston Globe

Jonathan Traub, a rising ninth grader at Brookline High School and the author of a Red Sox blog called Sox Watch, interviewed Red Sox CEO and president Sam Kennedy about his Brookline roots and his own sports memories. This transcript has been edited lightly for clarity. Jonathan Traub: You grew up within walking distance of Fenway… Continue reading Q&A: Sam Kennedy on his Brookline roots and the state of the Red Sox

New bike repair shop opens on Beacon Street

Zach Meszoely is the owner of Brookline’s new bike repair shop, Back In Action Bikes. Photo by Matthew Eadie

Brookline bicyclists finding themselves with a snapped chain, or a hankering for an upgrade, have a new shop to turn to on Beacon Street. On July 1, Zach Meszoely opened Back In Action Bikes, a one-man bike repair shop in a former nail salon at 1018 Beacon Street, across from the St. Mary’s Street Green… Continue reading New bike repair shop opens on Beacon Street

Brookline libraries eliminate late fees

The Brookline public library system is eliminating late fees. Photo by Zoe Zekos

Brookline’s public library system has eliminated late fees, following a national trend as libraries look for ways to make their materials more accessible to the public. Brookline’s three libraries stopped charging patrons for overdue materials on July 1 and also wiped clear any unpaid past fines for late returns. With fines tending to bring in… Continue reading Brookline libraries eliminate late fees

Town still weighing options for deteriorating ice rink

The Jack Kirrane Ice Skating Rink. Photo courtesy of Town of Brookline.

The town of Brookline is moving slowly toward answering a question that has lingered more than three years — what to do with the Jack Kirrane Ice Skating Rink at Larz Anderson Park. The rink has run on temporary refrigeration since 2020 and now needs substantial maintenance, according to Wendy Sheridan Ames, the chair of… Continue reading Town still weighing options for deteriorating ice rink

Carlton Street Footbridge set to reopen in July after decades of debate, delay

The south side of the footbridge in Riverway Park. Photo by Zoe Zekos

[metaslider id=17338] Update: The bridge is now open. Read more here.  The Carlton Street Footbridge, which links Brookline’s Longwood neighborhood to the Riverway Park and the Emerald Necklace, is weeks away from reopening, 46 years after decades of decay forced its closing. The ensuing bitter debate about whether to rebuild it made this restoration a… Continue reading Carlton Street Footbridge set to reopen in July after decades of debate, delay

Town proposes mini-forest to combat urban heat island

A rendering of the proposed mini-forest in a Brookline Avenue park. Photo courtesy of Brookline DPW

As it seeks ways to fight the climate crisis, Brookline is looking at creating a mini-forest, hundreds of densely planted trees and shrubs that can become self-sufficient within three years, at a playground on Brookline Avenue. Brookline’s Urban Forest Climate Resiliency Master Plan, which sets goals to increase the tree canopy in town, identified North… Continue reading Town proposes mini-forest to combat urban heat island

Photos: Brookline celebrates Juneteenth with block party, march

Participants march through Brookline in celebrations of Juneteeth on June 19, 2023. Photo by Zoe Zekos

[metaslider id=17191] Hundreds of Brookliners came out to two events this weekend to celebrate Juneteenth, marking the occasion with parties, a parade, dancing and food. Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received word that they were free, two years after the Emancipation… Continue reading Photos: Brookline celebrates Juneteenth with block party, march

Lexington shuts out Brookline for boys’ tennis state title

The Brookline High School boys tennis team after the championship match. Photo by Matt Goisman

CAMBRIDGE – The Brookline High School boys’ tennis team came up just short of a state championship for a second straight year. The Warriors were a dominant 23-0 for the season leading up to Sunday’s championship, but fell to Lexington High School in the final. The No. 3 seeded Minutemen swept all five individual matches,… Continue reading Lexington shuts out Brookline for boys’ tennis state title

Remembering the Boston Marathon bombing 10 years later

For many in Brookline, the connection to the Boston Marathon runs deep. When runners hit Beacon Street, they know the finish line isn’t far. Crowds of spectators flock to the sidelines, and hundreds of volunteers direct traffic and support race operations, while healthcare providers and law enforcement officers stand ready for what the day may… Continue reading Remembering the Boston Marathon bombing 10 years later