Emerald Necklace Conservancy

A Superior Court judge ruled last Wednesday that the city’s plan to lease White Stadium to a professional soccer team is not in violation of state law, clearing the way for the planned $200 million project to move forward.

Members of Franklin Park Defenders, a group led by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and residents from the neighborhoods around Franklin Park, contend that the city’s plan to lease White Stadium to Boston Unity Soccer Partners for use by a professional women’s soccer team amounts to privatization of public park land.

Just before demolition began on the George Robert White Memorial Stadium last Friday, activists gathered Thursday evening at Lena Park Community Development Corporation’s American Legion Highway building to discuss an alternate vision for the stadium.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Commission approved last Monday Mayor Michelle Wu’s ambitious plan to renovate White Stadium, the rundown sports arena at the center of an ongoing controversy, into a larger sports facility.  The new space would be used by Boston Public Schools and a professional women’s soccer team.

The Emerald Necklace Conservancy has selected Anita Morson-Matra as its first senior advisor for cultural partnerships and parks equity