Friends of the Public Garden Awards 2026 Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks

BOSTON, MA (January 13, 2026) – The Friends of the Public Garden is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks. Now in its second year, the Fund is awarding grants to ten community-driven projects that enhance, restore, and activate public green spaces across Boston’s neighborhoods.

The 2026 project awardees represent a diverse range of initiatives, from increasing park seating and other enhancements in Roslindale to preserving history in Downtown Boston and boosting ecological health in Dorchester. Established to honor the legacy of Henry Lee, the Friends’ founding President and a lifelong champion of urban parks, the Fund supplements City of Boston resources with private dollars to empower local parks stewardship and advance projects that are priorities to local communities.

Project Name

Neighborhood

Description

89 Radcliffe Street Food Forest Signage

Dorchester

Installing multilingual educational signage to provide plant identification and wayfinding along ADA-compliant paths.

Little Free Library & Entrance Improvements

Dorchester

Improving a prominent entrance at Ronan Park through shrub plantings, stable pathway surfacing, and seat wall restoration.

Pollinator Garden at Adams–King Playground

Dorchester

Enhancing an underutilized garden with improved fencing, educational signage, and new plantings to strengthen habitat value.

Tree Care at Rev. Loesch Family Park

Dorchester

Professional pruning of mature trees to improve long-term health and ensure safety in a heavily used community space.

Statler Park Memorial Components

Downtown

Supporting the fabrication of the Cocoanut Grove Memorial, including stainless steel frame components and engraved granite plaques.

Thetford Evans Playground Beautification

Mattapan

Supporting phased safety and aesthetic improvements, including perimeter plantings for the playground and splash pad area.

18th Century Garden

North End

Funding for the maintenance and preservation of this historic garden space at Old North Illuminated.

Adams Park Enhancements

Roslindale

Adding ADA-accessible picnic tables and seasonal plantings to transform the park into a central gathering and dining hub.

Playground Green Zone Restoration

South End

Restoring neglected planting beds at Titus Sparrow Park by removing invasive species and installing drought-tolerant perennial plantings.

Tree Replacement at Hayes Park

South End

Replacing a fallen mature willow tree with a site-appropriate Katsura tree and restoring the surrounding landscape.

“The Henry Lee Fund is about more than just financial support; it is about championing the vision of neighbors who care deeply for their public green spaces,” said Liza Meyer, President of the Friends of the Public Garden. “This year’s projects reflect the vital role Boston's parks play in making our city healthier, cooler, and more welcoming to people and pollinators. We are grateful to be able to help other park stewardship groups turn their ideas into reality."

Ultimately, the Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks is a tribute to the lasting impact of grassroots effort and dedication. By channeling resources directly into the hands of neighbors, the Friends is fulfilling Henry Lee's original vision: a city where every park, regardless of size or location, is cherished and actively cared for. The above ten projects exemplify the commitment of dedicated Bostonians to their urban environment and community green spaces.

The Friends launched a $2 million Henry Lee Fund endowment campaign in 2024 to ensure annual grantmaking. To date, over 100 generous individuals, foundations, and local organizations have contributed more than $1 million of the goal, and the Friends provided a founding gift of $250,000. The Friends is actively seeking support for the Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks and welcomes your support. To make a gift to the Lee Fund or to discuss support opportunities, visit https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/leefund, or contact Nika Trufanova, Director of Development, at nika@friendsofthepublicgarden.org or 617-723-8144 x204.

About the Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks

The Henry Lee Fund is dedicated to preserving and enhancing Boston's parks through community-driven initiatives. The Fund provides financial support and resources to empower local organizations and residents to actively engage with their green spaces, ensuring Boston remains a vibrant and accessible city for all. Visit https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/leefund to learn more about the Henry Lee Fund and the projects awarded.

About the Friends of the Public Garden

The Friends of the Public Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and one of the oldest parks advocacy groups in the nation. It partners with the City of Boston to renew, care for, and advocate for the Boston Common, Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The Friends plays a vital role in the stewardship of these parks, integral to Boston's identity for generations. The organization works closely with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department to fund tree and turf care, public art, and fountain maintenance. The Friends also serves as an advocate and park steward, with over 3,000 philanthropic supporters from more than 131 communities across Massachusetts and 31 states.