Boston councilor candidates talk green

All eight Boston city council candidates told more than 200 people Thursday night of their green space intentions as part of a debate hosted by Boston Park Advocates, a citywide network of organizers and individuals championing urban parks.

Looking for a fishing spot in Franklin Park (Dominic Chavez/Globe photo)

Organizers say the lively debate, moderated by WCVB TV Anchor Pam Cross, touched on issues from funding to arts in parks to community gardens to bicycling.

The laugh of the evening came when Felix Arroyo was asked “What does the Asian Long Horned Beetle mean to you?” (The beetle is an invasive pest wreaking havoc in Worcester). Arroyo, stumped, responded that if the insect had horns it must not be good, but then pledged to learn everything he could about it.

The suite of candidates pledged various efforts that included the creation of a dedicated funding stream for parks, more concessions in parks to raise money for maintenance, taking away car parking spaces to increase and support bicycling and ensuring parks remain safe and well-maintained.