Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - Where do people in your community gather or socialize?
  - How and where does your community access services (healthcare, transportation, educational services, etc.)?

Examples of activities and services: Shopping areas, schools and universities, libraries, parks, lakes, rivers, places of worship, healthcare services, public transport, local nonprofit organizations, etc.

Your response: My community is made up of many places to gather Centre St. is the main road coming through the neighborhood and is full of shops, the local grocery store, several independently owned restaurants, local toy store, a local hardware store, a local bike shop, doggie day care, several nail salons. We also have a recently renovated YMCA that is a center of activity. Another spot where LOTS of people gather are several local ball fields, playgrounds and of course Millenium Park There are also many people who attend local catholic churches, Holy Name and St Theresa's are the largest.

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - What are the cultural bonds in your community?
  - If your community has a shared history, what is it?

Examples of cultural or historical interests: Religious groups, ethnic groups, languages, age groups, immigration status, historic or arts districts, etc.

Your response: West Roxbury is predominantly Roman Catholic, white with English as the primary language. There are several Roman Catholic churches that are attended by large groups of people. There is also a Reconstructionist synagogue that has members from West Roxbury but also neighboring communities. There is some diversity in the community as well, represented in the three BPS elementary schools in the neighborhood. One of the biggest and most important areas in West Rox is Millenium Park, it is a place where many many people gather, walk their dogs, fly kites, ride bikes, etc..

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - Where are residents employed?
  - If there are environmental concerns in your community, what are they?

Examples of economic or environmental interests: Tourism industry, agricultural workers, mining town, manufacturing center, polluted natural resource, unemployment problem, etc.

Your response: West Roxbury has a high percentage of police and fire fighters from the city of Boston. We also have lots of Nurses, Doctors and teachers here as well. Many people work in downtown Boston and commute via the commuter rail of which there are three stops in West Roxbury. There are local concerns( and citywide) about the local Quarry and the recent gas pipeline that was laid under the street right through the center of the neighborhood. With the large blasts happening in the quarry daily people fear explosions that would be catastrophic. On another note, the community is very proud of the creation of Millenium park, from it's former role as city dump!

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - What should politicians and/or map drawers know about your community?
  - What are the needs of your community?
  - Is there anything else you want to tell us about your community?

Examples of needs or concerns: Keep community in the same district or separate into multiple districts, shared policy concerns, need for a social service, relationship to other nearby communities, issues with current district lines

Your response: This district is just strange, that he has so many suburbs and just parts of the city. It doesn't make much sense to me!