I dig the Big Dig.

For months, as the esteemed Intern in my office, I was privy to the massive plans of my now Alma Mater to expand its campus eastward to the shores of the nearby industrial river. Among said plans was an array of pencil drawings, ambitiously plotting out the beautiful landscapes and students (wearing University apparel, of course) lounging on the grass and/or enjoying a snack from a nearby cafe. (I was going to say co-eds instead of students in that last sentence but I realized that that term may be a throw back to a more ignorant, sexist, misogynist time- and I will not be supporting anything of that nature.) These drawings captivated my inner inquisitiveness with their complexity and the idea of 'what could be' while amusing my more dominant, inner cynic with their calculated summation of 'human life' on campus.

Last night, however, I had the pleasure of spending time with a Fantastic Friend. Given the extreme heat and Boston's simple inability to cope with such weather phenomenons, the entire city was out on the street- cavorting and seeking some semblance of cooling. We settled on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway and I instantly realized what all those architects have in mind when they create their optimistic pencil drawings. There were dogs playing while adults and children alike splashed in the wading areas. I can even vouch that on a few occasions, Bostonians were actually smiling at each other, not simply giving the head nod or walking quickly by, preoccupied with Life. It was a virtual Where's Waldo of activities sprung to life.

I couldn't help but think, as I traveled the commuter rail back to my Seaside Community, that the Big Dig was actually really worth it. The air is cleaner AND there is an outdoor, green playground where the highway used to be. I wonder if the vast mistakes that were made (under-budgeting, over-reaching, crossing funds, side stepping authority, negative press, shady/constantly expanding time-lines, etc. etc.)can serve as lessons for other communities and cities. The more time that people spend outdoors, the more they value the outdoors. The more value that air and play time has, the more effort will be put into micro and macro policies and lifestyle choices to sustain it's greatness. Unfortunately, the Big Dig has become a punch-line, both far and wide, for inefficiency. The results of the Dig, however are amazing and worthwhile, if not replicable.