Server Not Servant

#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: South End Part 2

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 1/20/2023

Welcome to #WalkingBoston. To learn about the inspiration, mission, goals, and ongoing updates, please see the #WalkingBoston launch blog post.

‘South End Part 1,’ the walk covering Shawmut Ave and points South and East covered 13.24 miles.

Total miles walked on the first 8 Boston walks to date in Eastie, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain and half of the South End = 108.23.

Some news since the last walk:

#1-Huge thanks to Newton North TV student producers, Luis Carvalho, Kyle Bunn, and Josephine Singer and their team for their time, effort, energy, creativity, and hard work interviewing me at home and producing this video featuring #WalkingBoston… Click here to view video.

#2-Tremendous work by reporter, Matthew MacDonald to join me on a 13.38 mile walk in Hyde Park and cover the #WalkingBoston mission for The Bulletin, Boston’s neighborhood newspaper. Read the full article here.

The #WalkingBoston journey continues on Saturday, 1/21/23. ‘South End Part 2’ leaves Mike’s City Diner at 8am sharp. The weather looks respectable for December, with a low of 23 degrees and a high in the mid 30’s. Early bird breakfast, stretching, and map/course review when the doors open at Mike’s at 7am. All are welcome to join, even just for breakfast and/or a portion of the walk.

[Please Note: A post-walk summary, reflections, and pics/videos from this walk will be included at the end of this blog post. Please check back and scroll down for updates.]

‘South End Part 2’ (13.1+ miles) will cover North and West of Shawmut Ave, including Bay Village. As always, please send me ‘must see’ sights along the way, including ‘hidden gems,’ art, nature, parks, murals, history, architecture, Mom & Pop #SmallBiz, etc. I love getting suggestions in advance to include while mapping out the walks. The course will be finalized on Friday, 1/20. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com or comment at the end of this post with suggestions.

If inspired by #WalkingBoston, please consider a donation to the following:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz, Kara Walker & team for their professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail. Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom OKeefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

Now that I have a completed more than 3 marathons (Eastie, Hyde Park, JP, and half of the South End), I’m in the process of negotiating sponsorships and collaborations with local companies and individuals, and I’m wide open to all creative ideas to raise money. Donations to Make-A-Wish and Stride for Stride are tax deductible.

#3- Lastly, several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston mission and expedite the publication of my #ServerNotServant book advocating for service industry workers and fellow humans. A grassroots fundraiser has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here. Thank you.

From the City of Boston Website:

South End – At a Glance

Located just south of the Back Bay, the South End is an elegant residential neighborhood known for its Victorian townhouses and many small parks. The neighborhood was originally built on tidal flats during the mid-1800s, planned to attract the wealthy merchant class with a regular street grid, elegant townhouses, and thirty parks. Today it remains a popular residential area with a thriving restaurant and arts scene, and is the United States’ largest Victorian residential district.

This diverse neighborhood is home to active young families, professionals, and immigrants, and is popular with Boston’s gay community. Residents of the South End inhabit a mix of historic brick town homes and publicly funded housing. The many parks, including the Southwest Corridor Path built over the depressed Orange Line train, offer green space to the area. The Boston Center for the Arts brings numerous performances to the neighborhood each year.

The neighborhood’s restaurants, bars, galleries, and boutiques line Tremont and Washington Streets, and the summertime SoWa Open Market attracts artisans and shoppers from all over the city. Washington Gateway Main Street and the South End Business Alliance support local business owners. Cyclorama, a unique round conference space at the BCA, hosts public and private events. Major tenants of the neighborhood include Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine.

Thank you to everyone following, supporting, and sharing the missions of #WalkingBoston

Cheers-Patrick

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#WalkingBoston Featured in Boston Neighborhood Newspaper, The Bulletin by Reporter, Matthew MacDonald

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 1/16/2023

I love the work of American journalist, George Plimpton, well known for ‘participatory journalism’ – sharing his amateur point of view after his experiences with professional sports teams, acting, performing comedy, and playing with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, to name a few.

When Matthew MacDonald, reporter for Boston neighborhood newspaper, The Bulletin arrived to meet me at the Hyde Park Commuter Rail parking lot, I learned that he planned to join me for the duration of the second Hyde Park half-marathon walk for #WalkingBoston, ‘A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood.’ Not only did Matt make it the entire distance, 13.48 miles, his insight, knowledge, motivation, and history of Hyde Park were invaluable.

I read somewhere about the powerful dynamic of walking side-by-side with someone instead of the added pressure of sitting across from them with an expectation to ‘perform.’ The idea is that the shared experience, moving forward together, fosters an easier environment to converse and get to know each other. For me, that was true while spending the day and sharing with Matt. I’m grateful for his company and ‘participatory journalistic’ commitment. Thus, my tweet the day after our walk…

 

Today’s guest post is the piece that Matthew MacDonald wrote following my 2 walks covering more than a marathon in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts for #WalkingBoston. This article is being shared with permission from Matt and The Bulletin. My sincere thanks and gratitude.

The Hyde Park Bulletin

Volume 21, Issue 43 

October 27, 2022

Matthew MacDonald-Staff Reporter

‘Walking City Roads Less Traveled’

Patrick Maguire took a photo at the Grimké Sisters Bridge on Dana Avenue, and then took in the confluence of the Neponset River and Mother Brook as the late afternoon sun filtered through the trees along their forked banks and the twilight of the day approached.

[Photo that reporter, Matt MacDonald mentioned taken by Patrick Maguire.]

It was a natural time and place for him to pause and reflect. A couple of minutes earlier – as he was coming up from Hyde Park Avenue to the local landmark – his phone app had registered 13.1 miles walked, the first steps of which he had taken about seven hours earlier in the commuter train lot at Cleary Square, and during which he had crisscrossed the northern half of Hyde Park to the Roslindale and Mattapan lines and then back again.

While Maguire’s zigzag path had targeted points of interest – mainly within Hyde Park’s often bypassed and overlooked interior – his itinerary served another equally important purpose: to create the distance necessary to complete a 26.2 mile walking marathon within the neighborhood, the first half of which he had logged two weeks earlier.

Beyond that, the marathon that he had just finished had brought him one step closer to achieving a far more ambitious goal: to walk a string of neighborhood marathons, in 13.1 mile segments every two weeks, that will span two years and encompass the entire city.

Maguire took the first steps of this journey in the heat of the late summer, completing his first two-part marathon in East Boston and throwing in a bonus walk covering Logan Airport for good measure. That under his belt, he set off on the first leg of Hyde Park on Sept. 30, a marked up and regularly consulted folding map and some index cards with bulleted destination points to feed to his smart phone’s GPS in his back pocket, and – on this particular morning – a two-person walking party to accompany him for a little while.

Climbing the stairs from the Hyde Park Station lot to the closed (but pedestrian accessible) 140-year-old River Street Bridge, he would go on to spend the day walking the southern half of the neighborhood, first to the edge of
Roslindale at Sherrin Woods, then to Georgetown and the West Roxbury line, back through Readville (while stopping for a sub at Tutto Italiano) on the Dedham side, crossing the tracks to Wolcott Square and Meigs Field, going down Truman Parkway to the Martini Shell, and then up Fairmount Hill along the Milton line to ultimately descend to where he had started that morning.

One block into the day, Maguire spoke of the origin of his nascent Walking Boston project as he passed the Henry Grew School on Gordon Avenue. His original idea had been to hit every street in the city. However, conceding that it was unrealistic and focusing on the Marathon’s importance to Boston – while noting its personal significance since he had run it once back in the ‘80s – he reduced that plan to walking 26.2miles “in every neighborhood that’s large enough,” which he counted at 23 or 24 (“depending on who you ask”) and estimated will add up to well over 600 miles of roadways. “It’s about shining a spotlight on the city and the real neighborhoods of Boston,” he explained. “As I like to say, the Public Garden is pretty, but it ain’t the neighborhoods of Boston.”

The walks themselves are casual but purposeful, with Maguire frequently stopping to take photos of whatever he
finds interesting, but rarely staying in one place for long, and with the disembodied voice from his MapMyWalk app prompting him with updates of his mileage and pace. Nonetheless, a major perk is to stop and engage, as he did over his two days in Hyde Park. Conversations observed during both of his half-marathons were with crossing guard Maureen O’Dowd at the Grew; Hyde Park BCYF Program Supervisor Matt O’Neil in front of Richy’s; barber George Jenkins at the Logan Square Barber Shop; painter Jen Vanora while touching up a Halloween mural (“Monster Party,” inspired by drawings from the Y’s after school program) at Ron’s Ice Cream; and a new homeowner near the Mattapan line regarding the NASA-quality satellite dish on his roof.

“They either think I’m a cop or a priest,” he commented, with some amusement, on his Walking Boston interactions. “And neither one of those institutions would have me.”

[Photo by Matthew MacDonald. From L to R, Maguire, Hyde Park ONS (Office of Neighborhood Services) Liaison, Denyel Fonseca, crossing guard, Marianne O’Dowd and Hyde Park resident, Quiana Agbai.]

Back at the station at the end of that first day, Maguire touched base with Hillary Muntz, senior manager of
community partnerships for Make-A-Wish MA & RI, with which he has established a fundraising partnership (a second non-profit beneficiary is Stride for Stride). “Our organization is super-appreciative of Patrick,” she said of the budding collaboration. “More and more, we’re seeing people come up with creative and fun ways to give back. They’re storytellers, but they’re also creating awareness of our mission.”

In keeping with the storyteller aspect of Walking Boston, Maguire – an aspiring author – posts a blog entry for
each day’s journey, a verification of its official distance and time, and a link to his photos arranged in chronological order. “The very important aspect of this is chronicling the experience,” he said of his excitement at sharing what he finds along the way. “Even if you detour a couple of blocks from your normal route to get where you’re going, you see so much more than you ever knew was out there.”

This was no more evident than on the morning of Maguire’s second Hyde Park walk, when searching for the 54th Regiment mural as suggested by an acquaintance with local knowledge. He found it under the Fairmount Bridge, visible but overlooked by commuter rail passengers and passers-by: a journey and chronicle of its own from Hyde Park’s distant past to its present, including much that Maguire had seen and would soon see.

“From neighborhood to neighborhood, the constant is the exploration, the discovery, and the adventure,” he summed up at the conclusion of that second day, back where he had begun. “I love it and I can’t wait for what each neighborhood has to reveal and offer.”

[Photo by Matthew MacDonald. Maguire and Hyde Park ONS Liaison, Denyel Fonseca at 54th Regiment Mural, Fairmount Bridge.]

From Patrick Maguire: Matt, it was an honor to share the roads of Hyde Park and the mission of #WalkingBoston with you. I am extremely grateful for your commitment and the pride you take in your work. Thank you.

Link to The Hyde Park Bulletin where the article above first appeared.

The pics under ‘Server Snapshots’ in this blog post are courtesy of Matthew MacDonald:

#1-Maguire with ONS Liaison, Denyel Fonseca (L) and Quiana Agbai (R) at Hyde Park Commuter Station w/map of the walking route.

#2-L to R, Denyel Fonseca, barber, George Jenkins at Logan Square barbershop, and Maguire.

#3-Maguire and Boston Centers for Youth & Families supervisor, Matt O’Neil outside Richy’s on River Street.

The 3 pics under ‘Boston & Beyond’ are from the ‘Hyde Park Part 2’ photo album chronicling the 13.48-mile walk that Matthew MacDonald joined me on.

Thank you to everyone who is following, supporting, and sharing the mission of #WalkingBoston. Now that I have completed more than 3 marathons (108.23 miles total) in Eastie, Hyde Park, JP, and half of the South End, I am in the process of negotiating sponsorships and collaborations with local companies and individuals, and I’m wide open to all creative ideas. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com.

Here are three current options to support #WalkingBoston:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz, Kara Walker & team for their professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail. Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom O’Keefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

Donations to Make-A-Wish and Stride for Stride are tax deductible.

#3- Several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston mission and expedite the publication of my #ServerNotServant book advocating for service industry workers and fellow humans. A grassroots fundraiser has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here.

To follow the progress of #WalkingBoston, including a schedule of upcoming walks (all welcome), enter your email under ‘Subscribe’ in the blue box on this blog, and/or follow @PatrickMBoston on Twitter and Instagram.

The next walk is scheduled for Saturday, 1/21 leaving Mike’s City Diner on Washington Street in the South End at 8am after breakfast. All are welcome to join for breakfast at 7am and/or any portion of the half marathon walk.

Thank you-Patrick

A few more pics from the Hyde Park walks:

[Painter, Jen Vanora at Ron’s Ice Cream.]

The distance of each walk is tracked and verified by the MapMyWalk app by Under Armour. The routes and distances for the 2 Hyde Park walks can be found by clicking on these links:

‘Hyde Park Part 1’ 14.28 miles.

‘Hyde Park Part 2’ 13.48 miles.

 

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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: South End Part 1

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 12/27/2022

Welcome to #WalkingBoston. To learn about the inspiration, mission, goals, and ongoing updates, please see the #WalkingBoston launch blog post

Total miles walked on the first 7 Boston walks to date in Eastie, Hyde Park, and Jamaica Plain = 94.99.

The #WalkingBoston journey continues on Friday, 12/30/22 in my old ‘stomping grounds.’ ‘South End Part 1’ leaves from Mike’s City Diner at 8am sharp. The weather looks tremendous for December, with a low of 39 degrees and a high in the low 50’s!! Early bird breakfast, stretching. and map/course review when the doors open at Mike’s at 7am. All are welcome to join, even just for breakfast and/or a portion of the walk.

[Please Note: A post-walk summary, reflections, and pics/videos from this walk will be included at the end of this blog post. Please check back for updates.]

Friday’s walk (13.1+ miles) will cover the entire length of Shawmut Ave (Orange on the map below) and explore as much territory south and west of Shawmut Ave as possible. As always, please send me ‘must see’ sights along the way, including ‘hidden gems,’ art, nature, parks, murals, history, architecture, Mom & Pop #SmallBiz, etc. I love getting suggestions in advance to include while mapping out the walks. The course will be finalized on Thursday, 12/29. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com or comment at the end of this post with suggestions.

If inspired by #WalkingBoston, please consider a donation to the following:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz, Kara Walker & team for their professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail. Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom OKeefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

Now that I have a completed more than 3 marathons (Eastie, Hyde Park, and JP), I’m in the process of negotiating sponsorships and collaborations with local companies and individuals, and I’m wide open to all creative ideas to raise money. Donations to Make-A-Wish and Stride for Stride are tax deductible.

#3- Lastly, several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston mission and expedite the publication of my #ServerNotServant book advocating for service industry workers and fellow humans. A grassroots fundraiser has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here. Thank you.

From the City of Boston website:

South End – At a Glance

Located just south of the Back Bay, the South End is an elegant residential neighborhood known for its Victorian townhouses and many small parks. The neighborhood was originally built on tidal flats during the mid-1800s, planned to attract the wealthy merchant class with a regular street grid, elegant townhouses, and thirty parks. Today it remains a popular residential area with a thriving restaurant and arts scene, and is the United States’ largest Victorian residential district. 

This diverse neighborhood is home to active young families, professionals, and immigrants, and is popular with Boston’s gay community. Residents of the South End inhabit a mix of historic brick town homes and publicly funded housing. The many parks, including the Southwest Corridor Path built over the depressed Orange Line train, offer green space to the area. The Boston Center for the Arts brings numerous performances to the neighborhood each year. 

The neighborhood’s restaurants, bars, galleries, and boutiques line Tremont and Washington Streets, and the summertime SoWa Open Market attracts artisans and shoppers from all over the city. Washington Gateway Main Street and the South End Business Alliance support local business owners. Cyclorama, a unique round conference space at the BCA, hosts public and private events. Major tenants of the neighborhood include Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine. 

Post-walk summary and reflections:

• Rise and ‘shine’ at 5:30am. Never a problem on #GameDay. Lots to do between the alarm and getting out the door an hour and 10 minutes later…

• Mapping the route was easier than the previous 3 neighborhoods because the streets are in a grid pattern. Shawmut Ave appears to split the South End right down the middle, so the plan was to walk from Mike’s City Diner down Washington Street, past Jim Rice field, down Ball Street to Shawmut Ave, then zig zag down every street between Shawmut and Washington to Chinatown. After that, same plan on every street between Washington and Harrison to Roxbury, then every street between Harrison Ave and Albany Street back to Chinatown.
• Breakfast at Mike’s was delicious as always. I went with the turkey hash. Tremendous meal and hospitality from veteran server, Jany. Mike’s is a great American diner. My only ‘gripe’ was that I couldn’t carry my leftovers with me on the walk. Fortunately, I made a new friend who was thrilled to share with me. Problem solved.
• It was 46 degrees when I left the house with a high temperature predicted at 56. It eventually got to 63. Perfect day for a late December walk. A Champion sweatshirt with no hoodie over it was the right call, despite being chilly at the outset.
• The early-morning sunlight was beautiful on the gorgeous on the old, copper-laden buildings. I love the green patina…

• Despite having lived in the South End for 10+ years, I discovered SO many new sights on this walk. Every single walk I complete validates the notion that there is so much to discover in our own ‘back yards’ of Boston’s neighborhoods. I don’t care how long anyone has lived in Boston, there’s more to see.
• The architecture in the South End is stunning. This is the Allen House on the corner of Washington Street and Worcester Square…

• Loving my new ‘Fresh Foam’ kicks from New Balance. Stay tuned for a collaboration that I’m very optimistic about…

• I love meeting nice folks and their companions along the way…

• SO many great parks in the South End.
• I love the Puerto Rican Veterans Memorial across from the Holy Cross Cathedral.
• Foodie’s Urban Market is an excellent city convenience shop.
• The Sahara building is one of the most intriguing and iconic in the South End…

• Kudos to J.J. Foley’s, established in 1909. Despite their old school street cred and longevity, they pay attention to social media and immediately responded when I posted this pic on my IG and Facebook stories during the walk. One of the best Irish pubs in Boston.

• I love the variety of colored doors amongst the brown/brick ‘stones’…

• Speaking of ‘old school.’ As the kids say, #IYKYK…

• A great way to end the walk…

• This photo album chronicles the 13.24-mile journey of ‘South End Part 1.’ Click here.
• Here is the map and proof of 13.24 miles covered: MapMyWalk 
• After ‘South End Part 1,’ the total official #WalkingBoston miles = 108.23.
• Weather permitting, ‘South End Part 2’ is scheduled for Friday, 1/20. Breakfast at 7am, and departure from Mike’s City Diner on Washington Street at 8am sharp.

Thanks to everyone following, supporting, and sharing the #WalkingBoston mission.

Cheers-Patrick

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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain Part 2

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 11/8/2022

Welcome to #WalkingBoston. To learn about the inspiration, mission, goals, and ongoing updates, please see the #WalkingBoston launch blog post.

Total miles walked on the first 6 Boston walks to date in Eastie, Hyde Park, and ‘Jamaica Plain Part 1’ = 81.89.

‘Jamaica Plain Part 1’ covered 15 miles, including a lap around the pond, Green Street, Franklin Park, Forest Hills Cemetery, the Arboretum, and as much territory as possible south of Green Street. See pics, map, and summary here.

The #WalkingBoston journey continues on Friday, 11/11. ‘Jamaica Plain Part 2’ leaves from the Jamaica Pond Boat House at 8am sharp. Early bird stretching and map/course review at 7:40. All are welcome to join.

[Please Note: A post-walk summary, reflections, and pics/videos from this walk will be included at the end of this blog post.]

Friday’s walk (13.1+ miles) will head towards Willow Pond Meadow and through Olmstead Park. The route will then cover territory north of Green Street, including Hyde Square, the murals in Mozart Park, and explore as much territory in the map below as possible. As always, please send me ‘must see’ sights along the way, including ‘hidden gems,’ art, nature, murals, history, architecture, Mom & Pop #SmallBiz, etc. I love getting suggestions in advance to include them while mapping out the walks. The course will be finalized on Thursday, 11/10. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com or comment at the end of this post.

If inspired by #WalkingBoston, please consider a donation of any size to the following:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz, Kara Walker & team for their professionalism and attention to detail. Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom OKeefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

Now that I have a completed 2+ marathons (Eastie, Hyde Park, and half of JP), I’m in the process of negotiating sponsorships and collaborations with local companies and individuals, and wide open to all of your ideas to raise money. Donations to Make-A-Wish and Stride for Stride are tax deductible.

#3- Lastly, several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston mission and expedite the publication of my #ServerNotServant book advocating for service industry workers. A grassroots fundraiser of small donations has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here.

From the City of Boston website:

Jamaican Plain – At a Glance: Originally a summertime resort destination for Bostonians, Jamaica Plain (JP) is a classic streetcar suburb of Boston. Located southwest of Downtown Boston, JP was annexed by the City in 1874. Jamaica Plain has consistently been an important center for residential life, arts, and commerce for the City of Boston.

JP’s residential streets, filled with iconic triple-decker houses in imaginative colors, are home to Latinos, young families, a growing gay community, and young professionals. A real jewel of JP is 68-acre Jamaica Pond. It is popular with local residents for fishing, sailing, and running along its 1.5 mile shore path.  The 265-acre Arnold Arboretum, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offers a botanical oasis in the heart of the city.

Jamaica Plain is easily accessible by the Southwest Corridor, MBTA trains, and buses. The main transit hub for the area is Forest Hill Station. Since the eighteenth century, Centre Street has been a major retail street for the community in Jamaica Plain. JP’s diversity of residents is reflected in the businesses with a range of ethnic restaurants and stores animating Centre Street. Egleston Square Main Street, Hyde Jackson Square Main Street Program, and JP Centre/South Main Streets support local business owners.

Thank you for following, supporting, and sharing the mission of #WalkingBoston. Please subscribe to this blog and follow @PatrickMBoston on Twitter and IG for updates. I hope to see some of you #ontheroad in the heart of Boston’s neighborhoods on the #roadslesstraveled.

Cheers-Patrick

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#WalkingBoston – A Marathon in Every Boston Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain Part 1

By: Patrick Maguire

Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service

Posted: 10/25/2022

Welcome to #WalkingBoston. To learn about the inspiration, mission, goals, and ongoing updates, please see the #WalkingBoston launch blog post.

Total miles walked on the first 5 Boston walks to date in Eastie and Hyde Park = 66.89

The #WalkingBoston journey continues on Friday, 10/28. ‘Jamaica Plain Part 1’ leaves from the Jamaica Pond Boat House at 8am sharp. Early bird stretching and map/course review at 7:40. All are welcome to join.

[Please Note: A post-walk summary, reflections, and pics/videos from this walk will be included at the end of this post.]

Friday’s walk (13.1+ miles) will begin with a lap around Jamaica Pond, then down Green Street to Franklin Park. The route will then cover territory south of Green Street, including Forest Hills Cemetary and the Arboretum. As always, please send me ‘must see’ sights along the way, including ‘hidden gems,’ art, nature, murals, history, architecture, Mom & Pop #SmallBiz, etc. I love getting suggestions in advance to include them while mapping out the walks. The course will be finalized on Thursday, 10/27. Please email patrick@servernotservant.com or comment at the end of this post.

The second JP walk is scheduled for Friday, November 11 leaving the JP Boat House at 8am (weather permitting).

If inspired by #WalkingBoston, please consider a donation of any size to the following:

#1- Make-A-Wish MA & RI is the primary beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. As most of you know, the mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life‐changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. I love the work that they do and am honored to partner with them. Thanks to Hillary Muntz, Kara Walker & team for their professionalism and attention to detail. Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made by clicking on this link.

#2- Stride for Stride is also a beneficiary of #WalkingBoston. Stride for Stride is a non-profit running organization that buys race bibs for immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income runners – the goal is to make races more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for everyone. Stride for Stride founder, Tom OKeefe, aka @BostonTweet, “Our logo signifies equality. It’s simple, bold, and shows that you support running for all. Our goal is a simple concept too, but one that changes lives. Having a race to strive for keeps you focused and healthy, while crossing the finish line is pure joy and empowering in both sport and life – it proves that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Never give up!” Donations inspired by #WalkingBoston can be made to Stride for Stride by clicking here.

Now that I have a completed 2+ marathons (Eastie + Hyde Park), I’m in the process of negotiating sponsorships and collaborations with local companies and individuals, and wide open to all of your ideas to raise money. Donations to Make-A-Wish and Stride for Stride are tax deductible.

#3- Lastly, several folks have reached out asking how they could sponsor/support my #WalkingBoston mission and expedite the publication of my #ServerNotServant book advocating for service industry workers. A grassroots fundraiser of small donations has been set up to keep me walking and writing. Donations can be made here.

From the City of Boston website:

Jamaican Plain – At a Glance: Originally a summertime resort destination for Bostonians, Jamaica Plain (JP) is a classic streetcar suburb of Boston. Located southwest of Downtown Boston, JP was annexed by the City in 1874. Jamaica Plain has consistently been an important center for residential life, arts, and commerce for the City of Boston. 

JP’s residential streets, filled with iconic triple-decker houses in imaginative colors, are home to Latinos, young families, a growing gay community, and young professionals. A real jewel of JP is 68-acre Jamaica Pond. It is popular with local residents for fishing, sailing, and running along its 1.5 mile shore path.  The 265-acre Arnold Arboretum, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offers a botanical oasis in the heart of the city. 

Jamaica Plain is easily accessible by the Southwest Corridor, MBTA trains, and buses. The main transit hub for the area is Forest Hill Station. Since the eighteenth century, Centre Street has been a major retail street for the community in Jamaica Plain. JP’s diversity of residents is reflected in the businesses with a range of ethnic restaurants and stores animating Centre Street. Egleston Square Main Street, Hyde Jackson Square Main Street Program, and JP Centre/South Main Streets support local business owners.

 Updated 11/7/22: Post-walk summary, observations, and reflections:

• Total distance ‘Jamaica Plain Part 1’ = 15 miles in 9 hours. Map and verification via MapMyWalk
• Total #WalkingBoston miles covered in first 6 walks = 81.89
• Link to Google Photo Album with pics and videos in chronological order of ‘JP Part 1.’
• It was 39 degrees when I left the house. It’s always a challenge deciding what to wear, a balance between being warm enough in the morning and not too hot when it warms up during the day.
• I ‘cheated’ and took a Lyft to the start of this walk. Too much time (an hour and a half) commuting to my last walk. Lyft driver was a very interesting gentleman from Ethiopia. He taught me that there are 84 tribes and languages there, and that the 3 primaries are Amharic, Oroma, and Tigrinya.
• Jamaica Pond attracts lots of humans and animals early in the morning. While stretching, I’m always wondering if anyone near me has come to join me. No one did until after a few strides into the walk…
• It was wonderful to lap the pond with David Doyle, co-owner of Tres Gatos, Casa Verde, and Tonino restaurants in JP. David was great company and has a very good eye for photography. I felt like we could have walked and talked all day.
• Here is the map of the territory covered on ‘JP Part 1.’ I love having the large maps in my back pocket (literally) and pull them out when I need ‘big picture’ orientation…

• I spent a portion of the walk in Roslindale and need to do a better job of researching neighborhood boundaries when plotting the courses.
• Walking Jamaica Pond is a GREAT way to start the day. Now that it’s dark early, I see many more days beginning with an early morning walk here:

• Franklin Park is a beautiful walk in the woods…

• Forrest Hills Cemetery is incredible. It’s ironic to be in the midst of so much death and beauty. The history, stonework, etchings, structures, and grounds are amazing. And being there peak fall punctuated the experience I could have spent an entire day wandering around and admiring everything. One of the highlights of all of my walks so far was standing in the middle of the cemetery at 10am and capturing the bells ringing on video. Check it out in the photo album.

• There’s always something new and magnificent to discover at the Arboretum. On this walk it was the Chinese Path in the Explorer’s Garden…

• So many magnificent, old homes if JP. The Victorians are gorgeous. Here is just a small sampling:

• And I love the murals and motivation at Murphy Playground:

Thank you for following, supporting, and sharing the mission of #WalkingBoston. Please subscribe to this blog and follow @PatrickMBoston on Twitter and IG for updates. I hope to see some of you #ontheroad in the heart of Boston’s neighborhoods on #roadslesstraveled.

Cheers-Patrick

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