Who We Are

As abutters, Roxbury residents, and allied users, stakeholders and supporters of historic Malcolm X Park in Roxbury, we are united in our civic commitment to ensuring community engagement in every phase of the re-design planning for Malcolm X Park — a sacred, historic and vibrant urban space with incomparable cultural, environmental and aesthetic importance to our neighborhood and city.

We are equally committed to public health and safety, including ensuring the maximum preservation and future maintenance of Malcom X Park’s mature and healthy trees, which absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, provide cooling shade, sustain urban wildlife, and improve our human ability to breathe by removing pollution and improving air quality.

The Petition 

The City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Department of Environment, Energy, and Open Space must cease plans to cut down any trees located in Malcolm X Park until such time as a professional review of park tree status by an arborist working in conjunction with community residents has been performed. We ask that the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Department of Environment, Energy, and Open Space abide by City regulations articulated in the Tree Canopy Ordinance of 2020. We are requesting that a tree specialist do a full assessment on the trees that have been marked for removal to develop an itemized, accurate and agreed-upon list of overall tree status. We ask that re-design plans shall not worsen the park or park-adjacent area's current heat or toxin levels. We ask that the City conduct the required Community Engagement Process in every phase of park re-design here and going forward.

This petition will be delivered to the head of each department and the Mayor of the City of Boston.