Voice of Boston is our series where we interview local tastemakers on their favorite neighborhoods, restaurants and hangouts around the city. If you missed our last one, catch up on our chat with Aly Raymer, a local yoga instructor and master indoor cycling instructor.
With Earth Day fast approaching, this week we are speaking with someone who knows quite a bit about maintaining and protecting our local green space. Karen Mauney-Brodek is the President of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, which is responsible for the historic Emerald Necklace park system that stretches from Back Bay to Dorchester, which has been offering beautiful outdoor space for urban residents for over 100 years. If you wish to support the Emerald Necklace, they have a chic fundraising event coming up in May, called the Party in the Park and there are still some tickets available!
What are your favorite neighborhoods in Boston?
So many! I refuse to choose between the more than ten neighborhoods that the Emerald Necklace parks run through: Charlesgate, Kenmore, Back Bay, Fenway, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan and more!
Where do you go for a late-night bite?
I am lucky to live within walking distance to some of my favorites which are often open late including Mida, Ilona, SRV and Anchovies.
In general, what are some of your favorite restaurants and bars right now?
I love going to local places in all of the neighborhoods around the Emerald Necklace, for example, community leader Pam Beale’s place Cornwall’s at Kenmore Square. I also really enjoy going to Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen, DeLux and KAVA in the South End, or JP Seafood Café and Brassica Kitchen + Café in Jamaica Plain.
Name a “hidden gem” in the parks where you always take friends or family when they are visiting from out of town?
I often take visiting family and friends to parts of our parks that need the most help and love. If you are visiting me from out of town I will often take you on a walk around the Charlesgate section of the Emerald Necklace or (like during a recent visit from my mother) a walk around the current site of Shattuck Hospital built on former Franklin Park that our State plans to demolish. After we cover those, there are so many beautiful spots including Scarboro Pond and the Overlook Ruins (site of the renowned Elma Lewis Playhouse series) in Franklin Park, the Kelleher Rose Garden in the Back Bay Fens, a walk around Jamaica Pond and Pinebank Promontory, through Olmsted Park and the Riverway – how do I chose a child?! There are numerous historic bridges, lovely trees and fantastic walks throughout our Emerald Necklace parks. A true highlight for me was walking with my sister through the FogxFlo: Fujiko Nakaya on the Emerald Necklace fog installation exhibited in five of our parks in 2018. We have the sculptures in storage and I hope we can bring them out for all to experience again!
What do you think is the best thing about Boston right now?
We are, as a city really thinking about what the worst things are and trying to work on them, including issues of affordability, economic opportunity, building our amazing diversity and strengthening our relationships with one another. These are not simple issues, but we are really trying to face them and work on each. Park-wise, the best thing about Boston now and forever are the Emerald Necklace parks, The Southwest Corridor, the Esplanade, the Rose Kennedy Greenway and so many other greenspaces. We have the best set of linear parks a city can dream of so let’s think about how can we expand on these and connect them even more!
What do you think is the worst thing about Boston right now?
As a matter of principle, I don’t critique a city. Cities (and public parks) are sites for exchange, building democracy, progressive thinking and so much of what America wants to be. Long live public parks and cities!
Where is your favorite place to go for a walk in the city or in the parks?
Besides what I have already mentioned, I must also touch on the fact that Boston has amazing sidewalks for walking – often very wide and less interrupted by driveways – like in other cities. This is not an accident, and it is lovely. I think people who have been here might take it for granted but it is one of the wonderful traits that make this “America’s walking city”.
What is your go-to Dunkin Donuts coffee order?
Large coffee with too much half & half—one of the best things ever invented in America!