The name comes from Dover Street, the original name of East Berkeley Street. The Dover Station for the old elevated Orange Line was located on Washington Street at East Berkeley for almost 100 years until about 1987.
For nearly 20 years ODNA has been helping guide the development of the neighborhood from empty lots and abandoned and underutilized buildings to one of the most attractive, fastest growing areas of the city. At the same time, we've tried to maintain the traditional character of the neighborhood – the industrial buildings and the artists who have occupied them for decades and who give the area much of its vigor, even relative to the already diverse South End. The association is a collection of diverse, engaged, committed volunteers, with the objective of making the neighborhood a place where it is fun to live, fun to visit and shop, and good to open and run a business.
The result is a combination of diverse residences and businesses. The residents vary from empty nesters to new families with little kids who choose to stay in town to those who simply enjoy the vitality and diversity of city life. The businesses, many of which are locally owned, range from some known citywide to small neighborhood spots, each with a distinctive character.
A few highlights:
Peters Park, which includes the only currently sanctioned dog run in the city, basketball courts and baseball playing fields for organized leagues and pickup games, courts for tennis and handball, a tot lot, and open space for more passive recreation.
The current Neck Art effort for a large permanent public art installation near the Washington Street/East Berkeley intersection, the original narrow neck that connected the Shawmut Peninsula and the City of Boston to the mainland.
Nearly 700 new residences in the past 10 years.
Recent new businesses – restaurants, galleries, boutiques, wine and grocery stores, specialty shops, spas, and others.
First Friday of each month, when the local galleries are open late to showcase the variety of art and artists in the neighborhood.
South End Open Studios, run by United South End Artists, the first each fall and one of the largest in the city.
The SoWa (South of Washington) Art Walk, run by GTI Properties, a similar weekend art event in the spring.
South End Open Market, an open air market for food, plants, and crafts also run by GTI Properties from spring through the fall.
