Our purpose is to promote environmental justice in Boston through the protection of Boston's most important open green space, Franklin Park. One of Boston's largest open spaces and the crown jewel of Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace, it has international historical value and is the geographic center of the city's environmental justice (EJ) hub. Throughout many decades of city neglect, the park has been cherished and maintained as a healthy outdoor haven by generations of people of color. Hundreds of cultural events occur there annually, including the Caribbean and Puerto Rican Festivals, and Juneteenth as well as family cookouts, weddings and quinceañeras. The park is under siege from city, state, private interests who want to gain the rights the land for profitable enterprises, such as a professional soccer team, housing, a proposed substance use treatment facility and living center that would be the largest of its kind in North Anerica, and a proposed animal shelter, without proper community input. Each project on its own gobbles up potential open space and burdens surrounding communities with increased traffic, air and noise pollution, hazardous waste from needles and human feces, crime, drug and sex trade.CORES is a volunteer group of 500 residents, caregivers and advocates, representing more than 30 community groups. We seek to raise awareness and engage the community in shaping their park based on their needs.