The Mount Hope Canterbury Neighborhood Association (MHC) met on Thursday with local officials, who said that a new analysis of the local traffic issues will be coming at the next month’s meeting.

Tim Guimond, District 4 City Councilor Brian Worrell’s representative at the meeting, started off the discussion by saying that Worrell’s office has been coordinating a meeting with the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) and other related officials that should be taking place this week to discuss all issues around the American Legion Highway.

“I know a lot of concerns have been raised about the light at Walk Hill,” he said. “It’s very difficult to turn left coming from either direction.”

The issue at that intersection is there is no dedicated left-hand turn in either direction, which backs up traffic and makes those looking to turn more anxious and less aware of surrounding traffic as they do so. Guidmond said there was a traffic collision there a few weeks ago as well.

“There have been multiple of accidents over the years,” he said. “Also there are a lot of concerns that there is a school nearby and a good number of them walk across Walk Hill to the Boston Nature Center. There is a pedestrian crosswalk right now, but we’re hoping to see some upgraded signage with one of those flashing lights or, even better, a push button, so they flash as people try to cross.”

Guimond said they have had multiple requests from parents to do something there, as many of the students from the Haley Pilot School go to the Boston Nature Center after their classes.

“It’s a place where you can stay while your parents are still working, you can do extracurricular activities there, it’s very educational and it’s a safe space for our young people to spend time after school,” he said. “Those are two of the issues we’re going to bring up.”

Guimond said this will be a staff meeting – meaning basically it won’t be a public meeting – but that residents can email him at Timothy.Guimond@boston.gov with their concerns regarding American Legion Highway.

Guimond also said that State Rep. Russell Holmes, who said he will attend the meeting, has forwarded the issue to the Boston Safe Routes to School arm of the Boston Public Health Commission for its thoughts on the intersection. Guimond said MHC Co-founder Lisa Beatman will be bringing the group’s concerns and that residents should share issues with her as well.

Holmes said he’s been advocating for what he called his “ABC Streets” – American Legion Highway, Blue Hills Avenue and Cummins Highway – for a while now. He said they were able to get funds for Cummins, but not for Blue Hills or American Legion.

“Another $32 million for a street wouldn’t be a problem for me at all,” he said, noting the work on Cummins cost $32 million.

Residents were also asking about beefing up bus service in the neighborhood, which only has the MBTA 14 Bus Route running directly through. The 32 Bus does run on Hyde Park Avenue somewhat nearby, but it’s pretty far away once you get to Walk Hill St. – almost a mile. Guimond said they are advocating for the MBTA to increase service on the 14, since its frequency fluctuates between every hour to a half-hour depending on the time of day.

Holmes, who deals with the MBTA as it is a state organization, said the issue boils down to a chicken-and-the-egg argument.

“I can fight for the bus but it’s the egg or the chicken, if no one gets on the 14, they’re not going to get more rides, but no one rides the 14-”

“Because it only runs every five days!” answered MHC member Mary Browne, to laughter from residents and Holmes .

“I understand,” replied Holmes, and said that residents can plan ahead with the MBTA app.

One resident asked what kind of growth would be needed to increase frequency.

“If I saw any growth on it I would push for it,” Holmes said. “But very few people use it. I’m just trying to keep it alive. You guys are asking for me to increase it, and they [the MBTA] are asking, ‘Why do I have it?’”

Also on the agenda for the meeting was a notice from the Crane Ledge Woods Coalition (CLWC). The Coalition recently released a letter in which it stated, basically, that there is a still a chance for a “win-win” on the property. For those who don’t know, the 24-acre Crane Ledge Woods is one of the largest urban wilds in private ownership. It used to be a quarry and was slated for residential development several times in the past, but nothing came of it and woods retook the area. Now, residents have been fighting to keep 14 acres of the site from development. The project is on the Boston Planning Department website as 990 American Legion Hwy. – https://tinyurl.com/msxv66af – and has Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) Board approval, but the CLWC stated that’s not the end, and a win-win scenario where the city purchases the land from the current owner, Jubilee Church, is still possible.

“Also, as we know, current economic conditions are not ideal for new construction, and thus the timing is right for presenting the owner/developer a reasonable, respectful alternative offer,” the group wrote. “Importantly, the track record of the developer regarding organized labor remains a matter of serious concern… Realistic funding sources exist for this win-win, and the Mayor's recently drafted Climate Action Plan affirms the great value of protecting natural lands, especially in environmental justice communities.”

For more information on the CLWC, go to https://www.savecraneledgewoods.org

The MHC meets every second Thursday of the month at The Home for Little Wanderers at 780 American Legion Hwy., Roslindale, at 6 p.m.