Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Archive
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — An online meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to inform Boston residents how to secure city funds to help host summer parties.
The city is offering $750 grants to applicants for hosting block parties in their neighborhoods. It's the third year for the grant program, which is offered through the Office of Civic Organizing.
“Block parties are a great opportunity to unite Boston’s diverse communities and strengthen our neighborhoods,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement. “These Block Party Grants help community members fill our streets with exciting, safe, family-friendly fun this summer.”
Some residents like the program, with one stating she supports "anything that will help the community, help the area, and keep people safe." But not all residents are in favor.
"I don't think they should be filing grants for it. I think we waste way too much money. If they still want to increase taxes, I do believe that it's a good community. It's good to get together. I grew up with block parties. The neighborhood got together. The neighborhood paid for it. The neighborhood did it together," one resident said.
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City Councilor Ed Flynn is speaking out against the grant program, citing budgetary concerns.
"We should not be giving out grants or cash for summer block parties," Flynn posted on social media. "Fiscal discipline requires us to immediately eliminate any program that is unnecessary during these challenging economic times. We must account for every dollar we receive and spend."
Flynn has been raising alarm bells about overspending and reliance on property taxes in the city's budget, saying Boston is facing a "fiscal crisis." For her part, Wu pitched her $4.9 billion FY27 budget, unveiled earlier this month, as disciplined amid economic challenges.
"The FY27 budget increases by only 2.1%, the lowest growth rate since FY10 and well below the current rate of inflation," the Wu administration said.
The City Council Committee on Ways and Means is set to hold one of a series of hearings on the FY27 budget on Wednesday.
What do residents need to know before applying for the grant?
- Anyone hosting a block party on a public street needs to apply for a Play Street Closing Permit. Applying for this permit can be done online at boston.gov/blockparty.
- Residents must apply for grant funding at least four weeks prior to their proposed event.
- To be eligible, all block parties must be free, open to the public, and take place on public streets.
- The deadline to apply is Monday, June 8, 2026, at 5 p.m. NOTE: Submitting this grant application does not guarantee funding.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama (CFamaWBZ) reports.