Arts & culture programming at the future Piers Park III in East Boston

Veronica Robles Cultural Center (VROCC) and members of the East Boston community joined the Boston Waterfront Initiative team on Thursday night to offer ideas for Arts & Culture programming at the future Piers Park III. 

“Our main focus right now has been outreach and engagement, making sure we are listening to what the community wants and envisions at Piers Park III and having those meaningful conversations to make sure those voices are heard,” noted Gabriela Ramirez, Trustees Boston Waterfront Initiative Community Outreach Coordinator. “We’re using these responses to make sure the design that we have for Piers Park III reflects what the community wants.” 

Some of the ideas discussed and suggested Thursday night included the installation of an acoustic shell and movie screen, the opportunity for murals, wi-fi service, bike paths, and live performances including a local ‘battle of the bands’-type show and a classical music series. 

“It's an honor and a pleasure to be here at this meeting with the Trustees, I feel that it is our part to participate to make sure that everybody in East Boston has a say in this process,” said Veronica Robles, Co-founder and Director of the VROCC, adding, “We would love to bring salsa socials to the waterfront and have this space not only during the summer but have this as a resource to continue our programming during the winter.”  

VROCC is home to many community-wide traditions in East Boston and hosts visiting artists, storytelling events, and dance performances and lessons. Its mission is to promote Latino arts and culture as well as inspire and encourage community action for social change and racial equity through teaching, promoting and celebrating the rich cultures and colors of Latin American communities in and around East Boston. 

Piers Park III, currently an abandoned pier, is located beside Piers Park and the future Piers Park II. The Trustees have site developer designation from Massport to design and build the future park space into a welcoming, resilient, and iconic park for the public. 

Community input is currently being gathered on both the design of the park, and also the future programming of the space, throughout 2021. The first drafted design of the park was released in March, and includes features such as grassy lawns, a picnic grove and tide pools. The public is asked to continue to weigh in through attending upcoming events, posting on a digital bulletin board, and taking part in an online survey. The next design draft will incorporate more input gathered through these touchpoints.  

The next two public meetings, also programming-focused, will explore potential recreational activities (June 23), and education and climate programming (June 30). 

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Couldn’t make the event but have an idea for future programming? Email your thoughts to onewaterfront@thetrustees.org, or join us at an upcoming meeting!