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Before the meeting begins, feel free to Arborway Parkway Improvements Project view the proposed design alternatives: Virtual Public Meeting bit.ly/Arborway-map Wednesday, October 21, 2020 | 6:30pm - 8pm

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Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Meeting Agenda

1. Welcome

2. Short-Term Improvements

3. Project Background

4. Public Outreach and Input

5. Design Alternatives

6. Next Steps

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Governor Charles D. Baker

Lieutenant Governor Karyn E. Polito

Energy and Environmental Secretary Kathleen A. Theoharides

Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Jim Montgomery DCR Mission Statement

“To protect, promote, and enhance our Commonwealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the well-being of all.”

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Meeting Agenda

1. Welcome

2. Short-Term Improvements

3. Project Background

4. Public Outreach and Input

5. Design Alternatives

6. Next Steps

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Project People

DCR Howard Stein Hudson (HSH)

Jeffrey R. Parenti, PE, PTOE, PTP, ENV SP Matt Jasmin, PE, ENV SP Deputy Chief Engineer (Program Manager) Project Manager/Senior Civil Engineer Nate Cabral-Curtis Jason Santos, PE Public Involvement Manager Director of Transportation (Technical Advisor) Nate Lash Mark MacLean, PE Public Involvement Specialist Section Head, Parkways (Project Manager) Bob Stathopoulos, PE, PTOE Traffic Engineering Technical Leader Jenny Norwood Director of External Affairs and Partnerships Amy Ingles Active Transportation Leader Anne Fiesinger Richard Houghton, ASLA (Halvorson) Director of Public Outreach Senior Landscape Architect

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Project Area

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Public Outreach in 2020

Spring 2020 Shared Goals

Improve safety for all users and modes • Met with elected officials of trave l.

Improve accessibility and connectivity for all users along Arborway. • Met with community stakeholders JSE:111 Support Olmsted's vision for the parkway as a green, recreationa l space f1) in its own right.

Embrace opportunities to make Summer 2020 improvements as they arise if possible.

Balan ce the project goals and needs of different u.sers. • Virtual public meeting

• Collected public comments

• Site walks with community stakeholders

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project June 24, 2020 Public Comments Received

Drag to A SoT et~ing I A Exisfng o Ideas .;nd Q Ma{e.; 515 comm em ) 'i' Like V' Safel'j Issues Sugges:lons Comme11 Public comments received in June and July 2020

398398 SocialInteractive Pinpoint online interactive map map

69 DCRDCR’s online online comment comment portal portal I 'v1 otoc·sts ex·t'ng the rotary are ook'ng in 69 - rea r-v,el/'.r mirrors etc. & chang·ng la'1 es - n o( always looki'1g "'e r pedes(r'ans i7 42 Social Pinpoint online survey crosswa k. In my exper'ence, t'lis is the 42 Online survey scariest crossing In che stLdy area.

{j Like (16) Dislike Q

3 Traditional Mail ©. Zocrr in t S:ree~ \/'et, 010 da1 sago 3 Email 3 Email 3 Postal mail

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Public Input – Entire Arborway 0 -- Things People Like Safety Issues Ideas Other Comments

• Aesthetically pleasing • Speeding along the • Create a protected, • Maintain and mature trees and entire corridor separated, or off-road increase tree green spaces continuous bicycle population • It does not feel safe network Do not increase cut- • The Arborway to ride a bicycle • through traffic on provides between Jamaica Pond • Create comfortable connections to many and the Arnold and accessible side streets different parks, Arboretum pedestrian routes • Underground gas neighborhoods, and along and across the leaks need to be destinations • Crosswalks feel Arborway addressed dangerous and there are many paths of • Implement traffic desire lacking calming measures to crosswalks reduce speeding

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Shared Goals

Improve safety for all users and modes of travel. - Nco0- Improve accessibility and connectivity for all users along Arborway.

Support Olmsted’s vision for the parkway as a green, recreational space ~ in its own right.

[@ Embrace opportunities to make improvements as they arise if possible.

~ Balance the project goals and needs of different users.

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Safety Issues

• High vehicle speeds

• Unmarked travel lanes for Murray Circle

• Confusing geometry

• Short merging and weaving areas

• Multi-lane pedestrian crossings with no signals or beacons

• Sporadic bicycle facilities

• Some sidewalks and curb ramps not ADA-compliant

• Many bicyclists share narrow sidewalk with pedestrians

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Traffic Operations

• Maintain a steady flow

• Balance improvements across modes

• Streamline the direction of traffic

• Separate commuting and local traffic

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Accessibility and Connectivity Issues

Connectivity:

• Few/missing pedestrian crossing opportunities

• No bicycle enhancements at intersections

• Only one-way bicycle travel in Carriageways

• Wasted greenspace due to lack of pedestrian access

Facility Quality:

• No separated or off-street bicycle facilities; gap in bicycle network

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Bikeway or Shared Use Path?

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Potential Crossing Treatments

• Raised crossings

• Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons

• Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

• Leading Pedestrian Intervals

• Bicycle conflict/intersection markings

• Refuge islands

• Advanced warning signage for drivers

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Olmsted Landscape

• Arborway is part of the Emerald Necklace

• Designed by Olmsted in 1892

COMMON rn FRANKLIN PART{ 'NCLUClN3

'19V.-arr"n Slr<'."1 Rror;klin", l\,\as.,achu.,etts02146 Nationa l .,ark Service ~rederi,;k Law Olmst.-,1 Natinnal Hi~toric Site OLMSTED ARCHIVES

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Existing Tree Canopy

• Existing trees are in decent condition overall

• Red oak monoculture

• Ornamental trees located in Kelley and Murray Circles

• There are noticeable gaps where trees have been removed along the Arborway and require replacement

• Currently 280 existing trees +/- (along the Parkway)

60

50

40

• Poor 3-0 Fair Good 20 10 1% Dead 0

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Existing Tree Canopy

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Landscape Design Approach

Lawn strip w/oak trees & sidewalk Broad median w/ oak trees & setback subtle grading

Curving parkway landscape Iconic stone features Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Landscape Design Approach

• Infill gaps in the tree lined boulevard.

• Assess new road and pathway alignments to preserve and protect existing trees where possible.

• Prune and repair trees that are in fair condition to improve tree health.

• Improve soil conditions.

• Improve connections to site adjacencies through integration of site furnishings, improved path alignments, signage or other opportunities for “pause” spaces along the Arborway.

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Site Furnishings/Amenities

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Design Alternatives

Improve safety Alternative A – Two Circles - - Improve accessibility and NED0 connectivity Alternative B – One Circle ~ Support Olmsted’s vision Alternative C – No Circles i Embrace opportunities ~ Balance

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Design Alternatives

All Three Design Alternatives Propose:

• Speed management

• Channeling through traffic into the Main Barrel and away from the carriageways

• Maintained access for carriageway abutters

• Overall increases in green space and street trees

• Safe, comfortable, and convenient bike and pedestrian facilities and connections

• Easy access to two-way separated bike lanes and/or shared use paths

• Enhanced pedestrian and bicycle crossings

• New lighting and signal equipment for all facilities and users

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Project Area

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Public Input – Kelley Circle 0 -- Things People Like Safety Issues Ideas Other Comments

• The signalized • Speeding and • Consolidate the two • Kelley Circle Green crosswalk at Elliot dangerous merging, U-turns. should be more Street especially for accessible to northbound drivers. • Add more pavement pedestrians, markings, directional • Parkman Drive protected for signage, and yield crosswalk • Inconsistent design recreational use, and improvements elements and signs. connected to the wayfinding leads to • Add separate bicycle Jamaica Pond Park. confusion. lanes throughout the circle. • Crosswalk signal at Elliot Street is too • Allow right-on-red short, too infrequent, turns at the Pond and slow to respond. Street intersection.

• Southbound bicycle lane disappears.

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Kelley Circle - Existing

-• I I

Not to Arborwayscale. Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Design Alternative A – Two Circles

• Section by section for circulation pointing out key features (e.g. how Kelly Circle is changed) including anticipated tree impacts/replacements and how the plans tie back to shared values and goals (e.g. ensuring better, safer access for cyclists to continue down towards Jamaica Pond)

-• I I D LANDSCAPE . 0 0 KELL D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE 0 D SIDEWALK

- STREET JAMAICA 0 DESIGN OPPORTUNITY POND PARK

- TREE REMOVED 0 EXISTING TREE 0 0 PROPOSED TREE Not to Arborway Parkway Improvements Projectscale. October 21, 2020 Design Alternative B – One Circle

oQ 0 0 AO J;;Uoo ~ 0 vJ o -• I I ,..,0 D LANDSCAPE :KELlEYw D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE CIRQLE D SIDEWALK

- STREET JAMAICA 0 DESIGN OPPORTUNITY POND PARK

- TREE REMOVED

0 EXISTING TREE 0 PROPOSED TREE Not to Arborway Parkway Improvements Projectscale. October 21, 2020 Design Alternative C – No Circles

0 . 0 0 AO J;;Uoo ~ 0 vJ o -• I I D LANDSCAPE D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE D SIDEWALK

- STREET JAMAICA 0 DESIGN OPPORTUNITY POND PARK ,;- - TREE REMOVED X

0 EXISTING TREE X ~ ~ ..00 0 PROPOSED TREE Not to ~ A..~ ~b scale. ~ Arborway Parkway Improvements Project LL ~ CJ~ ~~ October 21, 2020 Public Input – Main Barrel and Carriageways 0 -- Things People Like Safety Issues Ideas Other Comments

• The “historic • High vehicle speeds • Channel through traffic • The number of character” into the Main Barrel vehicle travel lanes is • The northbound merge out of character for a Repurpose the • The linear park design of the main barrel and • historic parkway by Frederick Law carriageway carriageways to Olmsted as a linear provide accommodations for park • It feels unsafe to ride people walking and bicycles in this section biking and create more due to high vehicle green space travel speeds and the lack of protected bike • Limit carriageway lanes vehicle access to abutting residents only • Create 2-way bike paths on both sides

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Main Barrel and Carriageway Section

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Design Alternative A – Two Circles

• Section by section for circulation pointing out key features (e.g. how Kelly Circle is changed) including anticipated tree impacts/replacements and how the plans tie back to shared values and goals (e.g. ensuring better, safer access for cyclists to continue down towards Jamaica Pond)

LANDSCAPE

D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE D SIDEWALK

- STREET 0 DESIGN OPPORTUNITY e TREE REMOVED 0 EXISTING TREE 0 0 PROPOSED TREE Not to Arborway Parkway Improvements Projectscale. October 21, 2020 Design Alternative B – One Circle

~ I LANDSCAPE

D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE D SIDEWALK

- STREET 0 DESIGN OPPORTUNITY e TREE REMOVED 0 EXISTING TREE 0 PROPOSED TREE Not to Arborway Parkway Improvements Projectscale. October 21, 2020 Design Alternative C – No Circles

D LANDSCAPE D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE D SIDEWALK

- STREET 0 DESIGN OPPORTUNITY

- TREE REMOVED

0 EXISTING TREE 0 PROPOSED TREE Arborway Parkway Improvements Projectscale. October 21, 2020 Public Input – Murray Circle 0 -- Things People Like Safety Issues Ideas Other Comments

• Tall trees between • High vehicle speeds • Add more pavement • Keep May Street one- Murray Circle and the markings, directional way Arboretum • Unsafe pedestrian signage, and yield crossings signs • Ensure that bicycle routes can • Make the Murray Circle seamlessly connect • Dangerous conditions Green accessible to with potential future for people riding bikes pedestrians and safe bicycle lanes on for recreational use or Centre Street toward • No north-south significantly reduce its West Roxbury crosswalk on east side size of Murray • Provide separated • Prince Street and bicycle infrastructure Centre Street and better pedestrian intersection protections

• General sense of chaos

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Murray Circle

ARNOLD ARBORETUM OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Design Alternative A – Two Circles

ARNOLD ARBORETUM OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

D LANDSCAPE D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE D SIDEWALK

- STREET 0 DESIGN OPPORTUNITY

- TREE REMOVED

0 EXISTING TREE Not to 0 PROPOSED TREE Arborway Parkway Improvements Project scale. October 21, 2020 Design Alternative B – One Circle

ARNOLD ARBORETUM OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

D LANDSCAPE D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE D SIDEWALK

- STREET 0 DESIGN OPPORTUNITY

- TREE REMOVED

0 EXISTING TREE Not to 0 PROPOSED TREE Arborway Parkway Improvements Project scale. October 21, 2020 Design Alternative C – No Circles

ARNOLD ARBORETUM OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

D LANDSCAPE D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE D SIDEWALK

- STREET 0 DESIGN OPPORTUNITY

- TREE REMOVED

0 EXISTING TREE Not to 0 PROPOSED TREE Arborway Parkway Improvements Project scale. October 21, 2020 Public Input – Arborway South of Murray Circle 0 -- Things People Like Safety Issues Ideas Other Comments

• Tall trees between the • High vehicle speeds • Extend the 2-way • The number of Lower Arborway and bicycle path and vehicle travel lanes is Arboretum • Vehicles parked along separate sidewalk out of character for a southbound shoulder along the west side historic parkway • Improve pedestrian • The crosswalk near the crossings from the Arnold Arboretum main adjacent entrance is unsafe due neighborhoods to the to vehicles speeding Arboretum along the roadway • Install “NO TRUCKS” • The northbound bike signage at Casey lane evaporates right Arborway to prevent before the crosswalk large trucks from using near the Arboretum the Parkway. entrance

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Public Input – Upper Arborway 0 -- Things People Like Safety Issues Ideas Other Comments

• The raised crosswalk • Pedestrian safety and • Improve Arborway • Enact and enforce 2- connecting to lack of crosswalks at Hillside path. hour parking limit for Arboretum entrance the Upper Arborway non-residents to and Centre Street • Add a raised discourage Forest intersection crosswalk, stop sign, Hills commuters, or implement other vehicles with out-of- traffic calming • Speeding and visibility state plates, and issues at Saint Rose measures at Saint large trucks from Street intersection Rose Street parking along the intersection. Upper Arborway

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Arborway South of Murray Circle & Upper Arborway

ARNOLD ARBORETUM OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Design Alternative A – Two Circles

D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE D SIDEWALK

ARNOLD ARBORETUM - STREET OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY 0 DESIGN OPPORTUNITY

- TREE REMOVED

0 EXISTING TREE Not to 0 PROPOSED TREE Arborway Parkway Improvements Project scale. October 21, 2020 Design Alternative B – One Circle V,# Cl! ,_w :, (..)"'

D LANDSCAPE D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE D SIDEWALK

ARNOLD ARBORETUM - STREET OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY O DESIGN OPPORTUNITY ft TREE REMOVED 0 EXISTING TREE Not to 0 PROPOSED TREE Arborway Parkway Improvements Project scale. October 21, 2020 Design Alternative C – No Circles ,_ Cl) .:t Ci ...,3 1-!-­ CI)

.____, LANDSCAPE D SHARED USE PATH / BICYCLE LANE D SIDEWALK

ARNOLD ARBORETUM - STREET OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY DESIGN OPPORTUNITY

- TREE REMOVED

EXISTING TREE

Not to 0 PROPOSED TREE Arborway Parkway Improvements Project scale. October 21, 2020 Arborway South of Murray Circle & Upper Arborway

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Design Alternative A – Two Circles 0

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- TREE REMOVED

0 EXISTING TREE Not to 0 PROPOSED TREE Arborwayscale. Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Design Alternative B – One Circle

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" TREE REMOVED 0 EXISTING TREE 0 PROPOSED TREE Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Project Schedule Overview

Spring 2020 Summer 2020 Fall 2020 Spring 2021 2021*

Collect data, Continue Share Present the Construction is raise awareness, collecting data conceptual preferred expected to and gather public and gathering designs and alternative. begin in 2021 input. gather public public input. Select and and last two input. advance final years. Advance design design. alternatives. *Pending Utility Coordination

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Public Process Next Steps

We invite you and all members of the public to submit comments on the proposed alternatives during and after this meeting by Friday, November 6, 2020:

• Ask questions and share your comments with us tonight

• Share feedback using our interactive online map • hsh.mysocialpinpoint.com/arborway

• Submit a written comment online • www.mass.gov/dcr/public-comment

• Submit a written comment by mail: • Arborway Parkway Improvements c/o Howard Stein Hudson 11 Beacon Street, Suite 1010 Boston, MA 02108

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Virtual Meeting Discussion Tips

File View Help !llT • When you are called on, make sure • Audio tJ Sound Check • ■ I ?

your microphone is unmuted. Your mic • • • • • • • ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ • ■ ■ • • ■ ■ ■ ■ • @ Computer audio needs to be unmuted on your end and our Q Phone call

end. f MUTED

Microphone (HD Webcam C510) V ••• ••• ••• If you would like to speak, raise your ••• ••• • ••• ••• hand. We will call on attendees with ‘raised Speakers (High Defnition Aud... V hands’ and read out questions from the Questions box as they come in. • Questions tJ

• Submit your comments or questions in ••••••••••••••••••••••• the Questions box! We will alternate (Enter a question for staff] between ‘raised hands’ and the Questions box.

Multi sessions differ,ent registrants Webinar ID: 93-0-960-603 (® GoToWebinar

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020 Virtual Meeting Discussion Tips Shared Goals

Improve safety for all users and 1. Please be patient. We will try our modes of travel. best to call on attendees with ‘raised hands’ and read out questions from the Questions box. - Improve accessibility and - connectivity for all users along N•v1 Arborway. 2. Please be efficient. We have limited time and would like to hear Support Olmsted’s vision for the from as many people as possible. §B parkway as a green, recreational space in its own right.

3. Having technical difficulties or Embrace opportunities to make didn’t get called on? Don’t improvements as they arise if worry! You can share your feedback possible. after the meeting. ~

Balance the project goals and ~ needs of different users. Thank You For Joining Us!

We invite you and all members of the public to submit comments on the proposed alternatives by Friday, November 6, 2020:

• Ask questions and share your comments with us tonight

• Share feedback using our interactive online map • hsh.mysocialpinpoint.com/arborway

• Submit a written comment online • www.mass.gov/dcr/public-comment

• Submit a written comment by mail: • Arborway Parkway Improvements c/o Howard Stein Hudson 11 Beacon Street, Suite 1010 Boston, MA 02108

Arborway Parkway Improvements Project October 21, 2020