What we are talking about..
![]() Matthews Arena Multipurpose Athletic Facility at 262 St Botolph Street.
For more details about this project, click over to our construction page. The Planning Department will be hosting a virtual Public Meeting in connection with the Northeastern University Institutional Master Plan (IMP) and Draft Project Impact Report (DPIR) for the 262 St Botolph Street project received by the Boston Planning Department on March 7, 2025. Virtual Public Meeting May 01, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM How to Participate Please register for the meeting using the following Zoom link: bosplans.org/NUPublicMeeting525 Meeting ID: 161 258 4680 Toll-Free Call-in Number: 833.568.8864 A Friends of Titus Sparrow Special Event Honoring the South End Neighborhood![]() Step back in time with Titus Sparrow as they celebrate their neighborhood and our closest community, the South End. They will highlight the people, places, and stories that shaped the neighborhood—from the vibrant jazz scene to beloved local spots like Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe. Special guest speakers will share personal memories and unique perspectives that bring all our community’s history to life.
After the tour, gather together in Titus Sparrow Park for conversation and refreshments—one community, together. 📅 Saturday, May 3 | 10 AM 📍 Meet at Harriet Tubman Square, 450 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118 ☕ End at Titus Sparrow Park around 10:45 AM to enjoy coffee and refreshments The daffodils are here to welcome runners and their families to Boston! We welcome St Botolph Neighborhood Residents to take a pot or two after the marathon, but please do not take them until after the Race! ![]() We Loved our Blocks on Saturday!
Rain Drops may have kept falling on our heads but they didn't defeat us. A huge thank you to everyone for making the Love Your Block event a great success, despite the bad weather. The mulch got distributed around the trees, new faces turned up and we all felt very proud of what was achieved. A shout-out to the excellent Colonnade Hotel, who kept our spirits up with warm beverages, pastries, and elbow grease. We were grateful for Copley House, and the spirit of our recently passed neighbor Joe Coppola spurring us on. None of this would have been possible without the City of Boston. From Paige, in the office of civic organization orchestrating it all, Errol and Richard for providing the tools. and Josh and his colleagues from public works who diligently kept the area clear with cheer and goodwill. It indeed takes a village. Looking forward to catching up with you all in a warmer setting at the neighborhood meeting on Tuesday the 22nd of April. Meanwhile For photos of the event click here! First Tuesday
Neighborhood Meet Up ! May 6th , 2025. Come join us on May 6th, 2025 Pressed Cafe 9:00am and 7:00pm ! We loved our first Tuesday meetups but thought it was time to change things. Join us on Tuesday, May 6th, 2025, at 9 a.m or 7 p.m. at Pressed Cafe! Stop in, grab a cup of coffee, tea, or maybe a drink, and let’s just hang out, catch up, and stay connected. We hope to see you there! Trash Talking
Northeastern University! A big thank you again to our great neighbors, Northeastern University On Wednesday April 9th, AVP Dave Isberg from Northeastern's Office of City and Community Engagement and his team deliver 20 rolling bins to the alley behind Follen Street and West Newton Street. Mary Denker, from the board of the resident's association for several buildings abutting this alley, took delivery of them and with SBNA's help, replaced several old covered bins with holes. It takes a neighborhood! RATS BEWARE - New Sensors!The Boston Rodent Action Plan (BRAP) is a new initiative to combat the rodent population in the city of Boston.
![]() The Environmental Sanitation Division recently got 275 rodent sensors to place around the city. These sensors will go in areas where rats have been a problem before. The goal is to create a network that helps the city find and fix rat issues faster, and over time, bring the rat population down.
Rodent sensors are small, smart devices that can tell when rats are nearby. They’re usually placed along walls or near food, and they work by sensing motion, heat, or sound. These sensors are changing how we deal with rats by helping us take action before the problem gets worse:
![]() We are an Award Winning Neighborhood!
What a great start to 2025!. We have become an award-winning neighborhood thanks to 3 Durham and golden-thumbed gardeners, Lee and Lorraine Steele! The Garden Club of the Back Bay has awarded the prestigious Magnolia Award unanimously to 3 Durham Street! The garden’s many elements impressed the committee, including its hardscape, evergreens, annuals, perennials, and window boxes. They were particularly taken with the tree hydrangea and the thoughtful attention to detail in the plantings along the driveway, which soften the curb. The garden is also designed to remain attractive during the winter months. Lee and Lorraine Steele have lived at 3 Durham Street and tended the garden for 45 years! The Back Bay Garden Club was especially pleased to highlight a different part of the Back Bay this year. Congratulations Lee and Lorraine and all at No 3. - Woohoo! Rodents, Recycling, and Trash.
Our neighbor Susan Schadler has reminded us that the food waste program has more free bins to distribute. Check here useful tips on our Rodents, Recycling, & Trash page. ![]() Bowled Over by Bowling! Thanks for joining us for some Bowling Fun on Monday, December 2nd, 2024! It was another terrific evening for neighbors to hang out and connect.
For more photos of the event click here. It's not too late to give a donation to the Home for Little Wanderers click here for more details. ![]() In November Todd Mistor, the head of Urban Forestry, planted a beautiful new elm tree in front of 230-232 West Newton.
Thank you Todd! Thanks for joining us at the Neighborhood Meeting Wednesday, Oct 23, 2024
The minutes are available here. No Matter how Long or Short your stay,
we welome you to our neighborhood. Hey there, new Residents! Whether you're here for a long or short stay, you're a valued part of our neighborhood. Browse this website for lots of useful local resources and information. Get in touch with us - we would love to hear from you - email us at [email protected] |
Welcome
![]() We are the Association of The St. Botolph District which was developed in the 1850's as a residential neighborhood and is a historical site protected by the St. Botolph Historic District Commission. It consists of 8 blocks east to west, and its boundaries are Huntington Avenue, Copley Place, the Southwest Corridor Park and Massachusetts Avenue. The St. Botolph area was formed during the large-scale reclamation of Boston tidal lands which took place during the Nineteenth Century. In the 1850's the decision was made to fill in the Back Bay area to provide space for the expansion of the city. The filling of Back Bay, including the St. Botolph District, provided the opportunity for urban planning and residential design as it had never been previously known in Boston. Situated in the Back Bay and bordering the South End (via the Southwest Corridor Park), St. Botolph residents enjoy the benefits of easy access to many thriving commercial areas while enjoying the quiet ambiance of a comfortable residential neighborhood.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead. We are a small and vibrant community where racism and violence has no place. We welcome open dialogue about how we can, as a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens help change the issues that directly affect our community. We welcome your thoughts. [email protected] Who was St. Botolph? It's believed that the word "Boston" is a contraction of Saint Botolph's town. Saint Botolph is the Patron Saint of Travelers and was a Benedictine monk who traveled in England in the 7th Century. His feast day is celebrated on the 17th of June! And did you know , he was a great fan of Facebook - and encourages everyone to like our Facebook Community Page - for more details join our mailing list at the bottom of the page. But wait... there's more.....
![]() Free curbside food waste collection is here!
Check out our Rodent/Recycling page In August 2022, the city launched a free, curbside food waste collection service for residents!. To participate, residents must live in buildings with 6 units or less. It's working to help mitigate rodents so Sign up today here! New Trees on the block!
What a welcome sight to see on Monday morning Dec 5th, 2021, a team from the city busy planting trees in the neighborhood. We urge everyone who has a new tree on their block to throw some water in the green water bag to give the young trees the best chance of survival. For more tips on tree care click here for the City of Boston website. Want to know the names of trees in Boston? Check out this fascinating survey on the Urban Forest Redistricting - what it means for our neighborhood
Every ten years, the legislature has to redraw its districts. Our previous Senator, William Brownberger's district has been redrawn and so he is no longer our senator. Click here for more details on the new redistricting maps. Our new senator for the 9th Suffolk district is Senator Nick Collins What districts are we in? We straddle two districts District 2 and District 7. District 2 covers from West Newton to Harcourt Street and the streets between and District 7 covers the neighborhood from West Newton to Mass Ave and the streets in between. For more details on our government representatives, click on our Government page History has its eyes on us…
A little background on preservation in our neighborhood... In 1981, the St.Botolph neighborhood was designated a historic “architectural conservation district,” one of only 10 such districts currently within the City. (More information about this is available on our website on the Who we are page and for a fascinating and more in depth historical background on the St. Botolph District, please see St. Botolph Architectural Conservation District Study Report). As an extra support to the Saint Botolph historical district, SBNA has an Architectural Review Committee to help residents early in the planning process to determine project compliance with the Standards and Criteria. The SBNA's fearless Architectural Review Committee Leader is Lee Steele. (He is always happy to answer any questions). Choosing to live in this neighborhood makes us all stewards of preservation. TRASH TALK
One of the challenges new residents encounter is where to dispose of trash properly. Please help us control the rat population by keeping trash in covered bins. Have problems with your landlord providing adequate bins- let us help you - email us PLEASE BE knowledgeable, responsible, and reliable about trash disposal. The city has updated the trash and recycling rules for the city Click here for more details KNOWLEDGEABLE: Please find out where your trash belongs/where your buildings’ bins are and let us know if you need help obtaining bins. DO NOT PUT YOUR TRASH OUT ANY OLD DAY OF THE WEEK! Trash is picked up on Monday and Thursday mornings - RESPONSIBLE: Please be considerate of your neighbors - your friends - and follow the rules for your building and general city rules. See below. RELIABLE: Learn where your trash goes, follow the rules, and do it every week and we can then fight the increase in the rat population. If you see something that needs fixing, like a missing sign, vandalism, or trash problem, 311 it! Download the 311 app on your phone to make it easier. Something stolen? 911 it! The way we get attention to problems in our area is to let the city know. Trash Rules
ALL TRASH MUST BE PLACED IN A CONTAINER
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New to the Neighborhood?Whether you're planning your move, or have just arrived, check out these helpful resources below. If you are looking to reserve parking for your moving day, want to learn about resident parking permits, trash and recycling, rights and responsibilities as a resident, or voter registration, check out this helpful City of Boston resource. For safety issues click on the news updates from the Boston Police. To report something to city click on 311.
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Useful Resources & City of Boston Services
NEW !the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides eligible households with help in paying a portion of winter heating/energy bills.
For more details click here Email: [email protected]
BOS:311 Police: 911 or 617-343-4250 Fire: 911 or 617-536-1500 Lighting: 617-635-7576 or 617-635-7500 Power Outage: 800-592-2000 Gas Leak: 800-572-9337 |
Trash and Recycling:
Missed pick-up: 617-635-7573 Improper disposal: 617-635-4896 Electronics/fridge pickup: 617-635-7574 Boston Recycles: 617-635-4959 Boston Water and Sewer: 617-989-7000 |
Street and Sidewalk Repairs:
Department of Transportation Missing Street Sign: 617-635-3124 Department of Public Works Potholes: 617-635-3050 Sidewalk issues: 617-635-7555 |
Other City Services:
Rodent Control: 617-635-5352 Noise Complaints: 617-635-3850 Graffiti Removal: 617-635-3850 Voting: 617-635-4635 |
Leaf and Yard Waste
Public Works picks up leaf and yard waste from April to December on scheduled days. They also hold drop-off events during the year. Leaf and yard waste will not be collected curbside on non-collection weeks. At this time, curbside collection remains on schedule.
Official Sources of Coronavirus information |
Please use the websites below as trusted sources of information related to COVID-19:
- City of Boston: boston.gov/coronavirus
- Boston Public Health Commission: bphc.org/coronavirus
- US Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov/coronavirus
- World Health Organization: who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
- Federal Trade Commission Coronavirus Scams Page: ftc.gov/coronavirus