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Woodcliff Community Greenspace

& Nature
Preschool

Hello!

We’re Shela Sinelien and Sarah Besse, Co-Founders at Boston Outdoor Preschool Network (BOPN). We first met in 2016 while studying early childhood education at Wheelock College. While teaching in public schools, we noticed that our preschool children felt most inspired when playing and learning in nature, and engaging with their community. So we started a nonprofit and opened nature preschools in Roslindale, Wellesley, and Malden.

Our vision is to open a tuition-free nature preschool with gardens and community green space that is accessible to neighborhood families.

OUR VISION

OUR PROPOSAL

Our proposal is to transform vacant lots at the end of Woodcliff Street into a vibrant community space.

WE BELIEVE

(1) All families should have access to free high-quality early education and

(2) time in nature offers many health benefits for children.

Therefore, we propose opening a nature preschool through the City of Boston’s Universal Pre-K. Through UPK we can offer free high-quality preschool for twenty neighborhood children ages 3 - 5 each year.

Preschool: Learn More

We propose to transform most of the property into outdoor greenspace with: Vegetable, herb, and pollinator gardens Fruit trees Pathways Community garden plots (as requested by community members) Outdoor classroom & pergola built in collaboration with MassArt Community Build Program What features would you like to see in a community green space?

Share Your Ideas

The lots at the end of Woodcliff Street are owned by the City of Boston and have been vacant since the early 1980s. The city is making these parcels available for community projects and green space. Subscribe here for project updates: https://www.boston.gov/buildinghousing/woodcliff-letterfine-open-space

Why Support This Project?

Community groups will be welcome to book the “one-room schoolhouse” for meetings or gatherings outside of school hours.

Sign me up!

Most of the land will be green space open to the community, with gardens, a pergola, and fruit trees. Community members may request gardening space to grow their own crops.

Yes to Gardens

We are partnering with YouthBuild Boston and will hire a construction supervisor who lives in the neighborhood.

Support Local Trades

We will remove trash, glass, and invasive species from the hillside. We are committed to keeping the property well-maintained and the gardens beautiful.

Let's Get Going!

Supporters & Collaborators

We are excited to collaborate with YouthBuild Boston and MassArt Community Build Program to build an outdoor classroom and pergola in the gardens.

We are also in the process of connecting with various community groups to ask for their feedback and to explore possibilities for collaboration.

Check back for updates!