By Marshall Collins

As the city continues to deliver toward its comprehensive plan- SomerVision, the question of green space remains an open one. Somerville remains the city with the lowest proportion of both green and open space of any municipality in the Commonwealth, and the city has set an ambitious goal of adding 125 acres of publicly accessible open space by 2030.

Seventy-seven percent of Somerville is covered by “impervious surfaces,” which are surfaces that repel rainwater and do not permit it to soak into the ground.  This is considered a major contributor to Somerville’s perpetual flooding problems. In essence, increased green space, along with improvements to infrastructure, can help to greatly reduce flooding.

Green space not only helps mitigate flooding, it cleans and cools the air, and improves moods and health outcomes. No wonder residents yearn for more green and open space. Fortunately, some developments nearing construction will include substantial green and open space, meaning residents will see some new spaces – and the benefits they bring –- in the near future.

The revitalization of Union Square and Boynton Yards are slated to create acres of new publicly available green and open space.  According to master developer US2, plans for the USQ development alone include more than 2.5 acres of new public space and a new neighborhood park. Much of that space is slated to be built on land currently bereft of green. The plans also call for a new, urban tree canopy, which will help combat the urban heat island effect that results from the high-heat days of summer.

Similarly, the redevelopment of Boynton Yards will contain several acres of publicly accessible and sustainably-designed open spaces. These parks and green spaces would be located throughout Boynton Yards, benefitting the South Somerville neighborhood by replacing a series of surface parking lots and low-slung industrial buildings north of and adjacent to South Street.

The City of Somerville has argued that increased green space amenities, including those promised by US2 like landscaped pedestrian plazas, pocket parks, community gardens, new neighborhood parks and more, not only promote healthy living but also foster community recreation and cultural opportunities. As residents of Union Square and Somerville more broadly consider the effects of the square’s revitalization, green and open space will continue to be a powerful factor for residents of all backgrounds and perspectives.