Leslie Singleton Adam has long been an admirer of the stunning
parks that decorate the Back Bay. Leslie recalls taking rides on
the iconic Swan Boats each spring with her mother and grandmother,
a memory which left a lasting impression. For more than a century,
the Public Garden, Boston Common, and the Commonwealth Mall have
been an integral part of life in Boston. Leslie is committed
to the preservation of these special parks, and serves as the Board
Chair of the Friends of the Public Garden, where she
advocates for their care, maintenance, and longevity. Though the
parks had once fallen into disrepair, today they are flourishing,
providing spaces for public gatherings, play, and enjoyment for all
who visit. Read on to discover how Leslie turned her passion for
the parks into a philanthropic mission, and how the Friends of the
Public Garden are preserving these green spaces for years to
come.
Tell us a bit about your work with the Friends of the Public
Garden! What initially inspired you to get involved with this
organization? How long have you been involved?
I am currently the Chair of the Board of The Friends of the Public
Garden having been elected chair in June of 2017. The Friends
was first established in 1970, and I am only the third Chair in its
history. I started as an ex-officio board member, while I was
President of the Beacon Hill Garden Club in
2015.
As one of the oldest park advocacy groups in the nation, The
Friends are essential partners with the City of Boston in their
mission to renew, care, and advocate for the Boston Common, Public
Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. These parks have been an
integral part of Boston’s identity for generations, in many
ways the souls of the city, sites of countless events, public
gatherings and private moments, and are called upon to serve the
recreational and restorative needs of millions of people.
I was amazed at the depth of the care of The Friends in these three
parks, something I and so many others just assumed that the city
took care of. Once I saw firsthand how crucial this work was
to these spaces, I felt compelled to accept the offer to become
Board Chair. I grew up in Boston in the 1970s and 1980s, and
have strong memories of the horrible condition of the Boston Common
in those years. I felt inspired by The Friends and founder Henry
Lee, and their enormous contribution in saving what was almost
beyond saving.
Can you share any fun memories from your work with the
Friends of the Public Garden over the years? What are some of the
challenges you’ve faced?
One of my favorite memories of the Public Garden was annual swan
boat rides with my mother and grandmother over the years.
When I married, my mother gave me two antique handkerchiefs:
one with my new initial embroidered in blue, and the other of the
Boston Public Garden Swan boats. This was an early sign I needed to
be committed to the preservation of these parks for generations to
come.
The first challenge I faced was the battle over the shadows cast by
the Winthrop Square development. While we lost the battle in
the end, we learned a tremendous amount. We learned to use phrasing
that emphasizes the preservation of sunshine, rather than the
prevention of shadows. Most importantly, we received a commitment
from the City to invest funds into the parks, focus on zoning, and
formalize an agreement between ourselves and the city on almost $2
million annual investment.
Today, I enjoy the parks every day, especially seeing neighbors,
students, visitors and daily commuters using these spaces. Whether
they are picnicking, protesting, passing through, riding the swan
boats, giving tours, or volunteering in the Rose or Border beds,
it’s rewarding to see our hard work come to fruition and
bring joy to others.
Do
you have any recommendations for those considering taking a deeper
dive into philanthropy?
I love this work. I truly enjoy caring for the parks and engaging
with park users. I spend a lot of time on this endeavor.
While this work might not be for everyone, there are so many
opportunities to volunteer in your local communities. Just
start small, get to know an organization, and find opportunities
that match your time and skill set. Everyone benefits in
volunteering: the organization, the mission, the volunteers,
and the community.
To
learn more about the Friends of the Public Garden and get involved,
visit www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org.
Get in touch with
Leslie Singleton Adam at 617-901-3664, leslie.adam@gibsonsir.com,
or by visiting our Beacon Hill office at 66
Beacon Street, Second Floor.