Boston Residents Fight to Preserve White Stadium Amidst Women’s Soccer League Proposal
A group of Boston residents, known as the Franklin Park Defenders, have filed a lawsuit against the city to halt a proposal to convert White Stadium in Franklin Park into the home of a professional women’s soccer team. The plaintiffs argue that the project would take away public access to the stadium and illegally transfer control of a public asset to a private entity. White Stadium, constructed in 1949 with funds from philanthropist George Robert White, has long served as a recreational space for Boston Public Schools students and the surrounding community. It hosts athletic events, graduations, summer camps, and various cultural events throughout the year. However, the stadium has fallen into disrepair due to the school system’s inability to keep up with maintenance costs.
In 2022, the city began considering a private partnership to renovate the stadium and issued a request for proposals in April 2023. Boston Unity Soccer Partners, the organization starting the National Women’s Soccer League team, submitted the only bid. The proposed project includes demolition and reconstruction of much of the existing stadium, preserving the facade and other historic elements. It would also expand the track, add a professional-grade field, and create new facilities for student athletes. While the city would contribute approximately $50 million to the project, Boston Unity Soccer Partners would spend about $30 million. The city would lease the stadium to the team, which would use it for approximately 20 games each year.
The announcement of the plans sparked backlash from community members, who criticized the potential loss of athletics facilities in an already-stretched-thin school district and the impact on the park’s character. The lawsuit filed by the Franklin Park Defenders alleges that the city rushed the process, failed to consider alternative plans, and did not adequately address the potential consequences for the community. They also argue that the influx of visitors on game days would alter the park’s atmosphere and disrupt its use as a respite for residents.
Despite the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction to stop the project, Judge Sarah Weyland Ellis denied their motion, stating that they had not demonstrated irreparable harm. She noted that the redevelopment would actually expand public access to the stadium and create new spaces for community use. However, the plaintiffs remain skeptical of the city’s promises and plan to proceed with the lawsuit’s discovery phase to gain more information about the city’s plans and potential impacts on the area.
Mayor Michelle Wu has defended the White Stadium project, emphasizing the need for a private partnership to fund the necessary renovations. She has also stated that the soccer team’s use of the stadium would be limited and that it would continue to be available for school sports and other community events. Nevertheless, residents and the Franklin Park Defenders remain concerned about the loss of public access and the potential negative effects on the park’s recreational value for the community.
