Exhibit GR-10 Open Space Plan 2008-2014 Section 7 Analysis of Needs Section 7.2.6 Community Open Space & Recreation EAST BOSTON Section 7 Needs Analysis Section 7.2.6: Community Open Space & Recreation EAST BOSTON THE SETTING History Originally a five-island group, East Boston was connected to Boston with the establishment of the first ferry in 1637. In the 1833, William Sumner established the East Boston Company to develop this area as one of the first planned communities in Boston. From 1840 to 1865, East Boston began to expand rapidly, becoming a major site for the construction of world-famous clipper ships by well known builders such as Donald McKay and Samuel Hall. Thus, East Boston became a significant transportation center and shipping port. Attracting a large number of immigrants seeking employment in the shipbuilding industry, its population began to grow dramatically. With the Cunard Line establishing a port of entry in the Maverick Square area by 1839, East Boston became the Ellis Island of New England. In 1905, the first subway tunnel to downtown was opened. The development of Logan Airport in 1923, the Sumner Tunnel in 1934, and other transportation related projects severely impacted the neighborhood. Local industrial facilities began to decline in favor of airport related development and many families left for the suburbs. Today, despite such pressures, East Boston has stabilized as a neighborhood and in the recent years has had many new investments geared toward public facilities. The third harbor tunnel (aka Ted Williams Tunnel) has helped reduce airport bound traffic on residential streets. East Boston enjoys an extensive waterfront that will continue to provide redevelopment opportunities for maritime, industrial, commercial, residential, and open space uses. Open Space Plan 2008-2014 Page 7.2.6-1 City of Boston East Boston Section 7 Needs Analysis Demographics/Housing While East Boston still maintains much of its Italian-American flavor and spirit with succeeding generations continuing to stay in the neighborhood, dramatic changes have taken place. The Hispanic population of the neighborhood jumped from a mere 942 in 1980 to close to 6,000 (or 18% of East Boston’s total population) in 1990, the largest increase in the Hispanic population of any neighborhood in the city during that period. Most of these new families have settled in the Maverick Square area. In 2000, the Hispanic population again increased dramatically to 14,990, or 39% of the neighborhood’s total population. The total population itself increased by 2% over the 1980 population to almost 33,000 in 1990, indicating signs of stability after three decades of steady decrease. The population grew 16.6% between 1990 and 2000 to 38,413, a significant increase. In 2000, youth under 18 years of age comprised 23% of the neighborhood population, compared to 20% of the city’s population. A majority of East Boston’s housing stock is comprised of triple- deckers with little yard space. The Maverick and Orient Heights housing developments, along with the Heritage Housing complex at Maverick Square, make up the bulk of assisted rentals. Along with a median income lower than the city figure ($31,311 vs. $39,629), the neighborhood also has more households with no access to a vehicle compared to Boston as a whole, 41% versus 35%, respectively. THE OPEN SPACE SYSTEM TODAY Equity and Investment East Boston has 233 acres of protected open space; total open space, both protected and unprotected, equals 375 acres. With a 2000 population of 38,413, East Boston has 6.06 acres of protected open space per thousand persons, only a little less than the citywide ratio of 7.47 acres per thousand, but more than the 2.50 acres per thousand ratio for inner core urban neighborhoods such as this one. Over 206 acres of open space in East Boston are located within two sizable saltwater marshes. Additionally, there are now 18 acres of new open space in the recently completed Bremen Street Park. Open Space Plan 2008-2014 Page 7.2.6-2 City of Boston East Boston East Boston Demographic and Housing Profile Population 2000 Census 38,413 1990 Census 32,941 1980 Census 32,178 Population growth/decline, 1990 - 2000 16.61% Population growth/decline, 1980 - 1990 2.37% Age 0 to 4 2,780 7% 5 to 9 2,757 7% 10 to 14 2,320 6% 15 to17 1,206 3% 18 to 24 4,531 12% 25 to 44 13,808 36% 45 to 64 6,395 17% 65 to 74 2,147 6% 75 to 84 1,932 5% 85 and over 537 1% Race % of Total Population White alone 68% Black or African American alone 4% American Indian and Alaska Native alone 0% Asian alone 4% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone 0% Some other race alone 17% Two or more races 7% Latino Status % of Total Population Not Hispanic or Latino 61% Hispanic or Latino 39% N.B.: "0%" means "less than 1%" East Boston Demographic and Housing Profile Households 2000 Census 14,322 1990 Census 13,378 1980 Census 12,892 Household Growth/Decline, 1980-1990 3.77% Household Growth/Decline, 1990-2000 7.06% Population by Household Type % Persons Family households 80% Non-family households 19% Group quarters 1% Average Household Size Persons per Household Type All Households 2.66 Family Households 3.53 Nonfamily Households 1.28 Persons Per Household Households % 1-person households 4,525 32% 2-person households 3,571 25% 3-person households 2,225 16% 4-person households 1,891 13% 5-person households 1,208 8% 6-person households 497 3% 7-or more person households 405 3% East Boston Demographic and Housing Profile Population Density* Persons per Square Mile 1980 Census 16,089.0 1990 Census 16,470.5 2000 Census 19,206.5 Density Change 1980 to 1990 381.5 Density Change 1990 to 2000 2,736.0 * Logan Airport area was not included in the total area. Housing Tenure in Occupied Housing Units % in Occupied Housing Units Owner occupied 28% Renter occupied 72% Total Occupied & Vacant Housing Units in Structure Single units 11% Double units 18% 3-9 units 58% 10-19 units 5% 20-49 units 3% 50 or more units 4% All other 0% Single/Multiple Unit Ratio 0.1 Household by Number of Vehicles Available No vehicles 41% 1 vehicle 45% 2 vehicles 12% 3 or more vehicles 3% Median Household Income $31,311 Civilian Unemployment Rate Poverty Rate 7.3% 19.5% Section 7 Needs Analysis The Parks Department has invested more than four million dollars in open space improvements through the city’s capital plan over the past six years (see table). East Boston Capital Projects 2001-2006 Belle Isle Marsh Reservation $1,039,981 Bennington Street Cemetery $109,796 Condor Street Beach Urban Wild $1,465,213 East Boston Memorial Park $1,160,000 Porzio Park $291,164 Putnam Square $314,914 Summer & Lamson Street Playground $24,750 Total $4,405,817 This extensive investment includes the restoration of a waterfront park (Porzio), the creation of a new artificial turf soccer field and running track at Sartori Stadium (East Boston Memorial Park), and the first phase of a regional greenway (“Chelsea Riverway”) along East Boston’s Chelsea River waterfront (Condor Street Beach Urban Wild). Assessment East Boston can be divided into four distinct geographic areas: Eagle Hill Bordered by the Chelsea River, the Inner Harbor, and the McClellan Highway, this is a primarily residential area with some abandoned industrial uses along the waterfront. Small open spaces like Prescott and Putnam Squares are located at street grid corners. American Legion Playground accommodates active recreation needs. The area is one of East Boston’s most stable sections, with many of the homes here having been occupied by the same families for generations. This area, while rich in history and future potential, is currently lacking in the availability of diverse recreational and passive open space resources. This is especially true for the dense residential streets between Central and Day Squares, with the nearest ball field being at American Legion. The Chelsea River (aka Chelsea Creek) and Inner Harbor edges also remain generally inaccessible and undeveloped. One area has changed however with the development of an accessible natural area and park at Condor Street Beach. New vitality is also being brought to the Inner Harbor shore with current and future market-rate residential developments, Open Space Plan 2008-2014 Page 7.2.6-3 City of Boston East Boston Everett Revere Chelsea Suffolk Downs Infield Don Orione Bonito Square Belle Isle Marsh Reservation Noyes Playground Dom Savio Belle Isle Athletic Field Belle Isle Marsh Coastal Preserve Cuneo Condor Street Reservation Park Constitution Beach Beach Condor Street McLean Overlook Playground American Legion Temple Ohabei Bayswater South Shore Playground Shalom Cemetery Street Plaza Park Prescott South Shore Mendoza Shore Plaza Square Plaza Courts Square Festa East Garden Putnam Field Square Bennington Street Cemetery Eagle Hill Memorial Wood Island Park Garden Bay Edge Umana School Park Our Garden Wood Island rk a Bay Marsh P t e e Central tr S n Square e m re B Decatur & Meridien Winthrop Streets Park Paris Street Veterans Playground Park II East Boston Veterans Memorial Park Park I LoPresti Lombardi Park Memorial Park Scarmella/ East Boston Maverick Greenway Square Lewis Mall East Boston Social Joe Centers Playlot Lewis Mall Ciampa Brophy Harborpark Garden Sumner & Lamson Park Street Playground The Rockies Porzio Massport Harborwalk East Boston Golden StairsPark II Piers Park Terrace Park Porzio Park I Open Space Types Malls, Squares & Plazas Community Gardens Parkways, Reservations & Beaches Urban Wilds & Natural Areas Parks, Playgrounds & Athletic Fields Protected Open Space Cemeteries & Burying Grounds Planning District City of Boston East Boston Open Space by Type Prepared by the Design & Construction Unit 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 Thomas M.