Please endorse reopening the sports and recreational BCYF Hennigan with quality programming and extended hours of operations, as soon as possible.

BCYF Hennigan, located in Jamaica Plain (MA), is structurally sound. It has a wonderful 5-lane swimming pool that has been closed since COVID, and was inconsistently open before that. The indoor basketball court and Jefferson Playground are used infrequently by the community. 

The inactivity of this BCYF facility has had a significant and harmful impact on all residents of Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, Roxbury, and surrounding neighborhoods.

The large size of BCYF Hennigan allows for diverse activities to be offered, including aquatic programs, sports tournaments, activities for elders, veterans, children, families, those with impairments, engaging classes for adults, and more! These activities would promote social and physical wellness, providing a safe, structured environment for the whole community to connect and create strong bonds in a relaxed environment!

We seek a clear plan with timelines and funding to ensure BCYF Hennigan reopens in 2025 and remains fully operational for years to come in a community inclusive manner.

At present, we have the following endorsements:

• City Councilor Ben Weber 
• City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijuene 
• City Councilor At-Large Henry Santana
• City Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy
• City Councilor Julia Meija
• City Councilor Ed Flynn
• City Councilor Sharon Durkan
  
• City Councilor Enrique Pepen
• City Councilor John Fitzgerald
• State Representative Sam Montaño
• State Senator Liz Miranda
• State Representative Chynah Tyler
• Hyde Square Task Force
• Hennigan, Kennedy, and Curley’s Parent Councils
  
• JPNC
• VA & DAV
  
• JPNDC
• Boston Self Help Center/Adaptive Sports
• Girls Leap
• Boys & Girls Club
• Mildred C. Hailey Tenant Organization
• Community Alliance of Mission Hill
• Bank of the Hill Apartments
• JPCC
• RTH
• JP Coalition/Tree of Life
• Community Healing Response Network
• JS LOVS

and more.

Thank you!

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As of March 10, 2026, the pool remains closed, the gym floor is still in poor conditions, and no BCYF experienced manager has been assigned.

Today, once again, the issue was brought to the attention of Mayor Wu while she was taking questions during the Boston Public Radio event at the Public Library. (Please see the attachment.)

BPS has communicated that they've been working on a multiplicity of issues caused by the former BCYF facility manager's negligence.

BCYF Officials, City Officials, and State Rep remain "distant" and uncommunicative with the community.

Our community and vital sport center are still overlooked and do not seem to deserve the respect granted to other neighborhoods!

Please keep on calling/writing to Councilor Weber, all the At-Large Councilors, State Rep Sam Montano, News outlet, 311, and sharing the online petition.

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As of June 5th, 2025, the City has communicated that parts necessary to fix the assessed issues to reopen the swimming pool have been ordered by BPS and should be installed during the earlier part of July 2025.

The City has committed to provide an update on this step by mid-July.

The City is also in the process of hiring a new facility manager/administrator for the Hennigan sports center. 

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