New Edgerly Plaza
New Edgerly Plaza serves people of all ages, providing an opportunity to relax, dine outdoors, and gather with neighbors.
Project Phase
Project Information
Plaza Launch
Upon completion, the City in partnership with community groups and local institutions hosted a launch event on November 1 of 2024, which included line dancing, live music, activities for kids, snacks, drinks, and lots of fun.
About the Plaza
Improving the public realm was identified as a top priority by the community engagement process of Go Boston 2030, the citywide mobility plan completed in 2017. Since then, the City has been working to identify spots around the City where we can create new spaces for pedestrians.
In 2021, we originally heard from the community about the idea for creating a new pedestrian plaza in front of Whole Foods in Fenway. In 2022, Councilor Bok's office counted 51 vehicles and 413 people walking here in a 45-minute period. In 2024, the City performed automated traffic records (ATR counts) and counted 500 vehicles in a 24-hr window (almost the same as the number of pedestrians within just one hour!). Despite having over four times as many pedestrians as vehicles, this space was primarily dedicated to cars.
In response, we piloted several successful one-day closures of the block over several years during Fenway Porchfest. Community residents and groups expressed interest in improving safety for all road users and in activating the space during all seasons.
Arts at the Plaza
Market Mosaic transforms New Edgerly Plaza into a site of collective play through a participatory tile installation. In a series of weekends throughout May 2025, visitors of all ages and backgrounds—families, students, commuters, and shoppers—rearranged colorful ceramic tiles into ever-changing mosaics. Designed for intuitive interaction, the project requires no prior art experience: tactile, modular pieces invite spontaneous collaboration, turning the plaza into a site of collective co-creation. The project was designed by members of SMFA Digital Fabrication Club and Clay Club.
In addition to the Market Mosaic, the SMFA team brought Mancala boards for the community to play a new game.
Photo credit: SMFA Digital Fabrication Club and Clay Club.
Music Series
Thanks to a generous Berklee Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant, we supported the Fenway Civic Association in bringing Spring activation to the New Edgerly Plaza in April and May. There were music, arts, community and fun. All events took place on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. The confirmed scheduled was also posted on the Fenway Civic Association's Instagram page @fenwaycivic. A big thank you to ReprezentU LLC for taking such wonderful photos.
- Sunday, April 6: ZUMIX youth performers (photos)
- Sunday, April 20: Sweetums (photos)
- Sunday, April 27: Jazz group from New England Conservatory
- Sunday, May 4: Flag Day (the rain did not stop the fun! See the photos)
- Sunday, May 11: Jazz group from New England Conservatory (photos)
- Sunday, May 18: The 3 UmiZumis and Luci Martin (from ZUMIX)
Events
Upcoming Events:
Please visit this link to stay up to date with upcoming events. If you are interested in hosting an event on the plaza, please contact our plaza programming partner, The Fenway Alliance.
Who's Involved
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