There’s lots to look forward to as the weather warms on the Southwest Corridor.

Raspberries and blackberries are growing at the Children’s Garden in Jackson Square, where children can drop by in small groups throughout the summer to help garden.

Community organizations along the Corridor are planning activities, from art to walking groups and day camps.

Many of these activities are sponsored in part by the Southwest Corridor Park Management Advisory Committee (PMAC) and the Southwest Corridor Park Conservancy (SWCPC)’s mini-grants program.

While the grants were suspended in 2020, this year’s recipients have just been announced.

The $600 grants are, “a sweet and simple way to use a little bit of money to stimulate more activities and outreach to families and youth,” said Jennifer Leonard, PMAC Chair.

United South End Settlements is one of this year’s recipients and has applied for the mini-grants for several years. Funds will go towards buying art supplies for a “Paint Out” day for kids in their club48 program.

“We spend the day playing air painting by Titus Sparrow Park,” said Julia Heinzmann, Arts and STEAM Integration Manager.

“The grant is a huge help because it gives the kids a chance to do this unique project that’s a mini tradition at this point.”

Tree of Life has participated in the mini-grants program since 2017. Funds this year will support the Mother’s Café and Father’s Group at Mildred Hailey. Starting in June Tree of Life also plans to run Arts in the Park, weekly outings for low-income families to parks along the Corridor.

“The whole point is they’re familiarizing themselves with all that the Southwest Corridor has for them,” said Carol Miranda, director at Tree of Life.

Another mini-grant will sponsor Zumba, run by the E-13 Boston Police Department.

Zumba classes will be held weekly from June 24-August 19 near the Green Street station behind English High School. Water and a healthy snack will be available at each session.

Other grant recipients include Boston Explorers, the Walking Club at Alice Taylor Apartments, and the Community Garden at Roxbury Community College. PMAC and SWCPC are open to any additional applications. Leonard encourages both those near and far to come out to the Corridor for summer activities.

“We’re a park that connects so many neighborhoods,” Leonard said.

It’s only thanks to those neighbors that the park exists at all. In the 1960’s the city had planned to build two major highways throughout Somerville, Cambridge, Brookline, Fenway, Roxbury and the South End. Neighbors got together to successfully stop the project. Part of what was intended for a highway is now the Southwest Corridor Park. More of the park’s rich history will be discussed at PMAC’s next meeting, on July 6 from 6-7:30pm. The public is welcome to attend. Leonard and PMAC are currently looking for neighborhood representatives who can attend PMAC meetings and assist with outreach, publicizing opportunities like the mini-grants. Anyone interested can contact [email protected].