Priority Areas
In 2019 we will be focusing on moving projects forward in three priority areas across Metro Boston. Each of these areas represents a crossroads of multiple greenways, which when connected, will have a profound influence on access around the region.
Sullivan Square Connections
This area is undergoing immense transformation in the coming years, and greenways are going to be a big part of that process. The Mystic River Watershed Association has been leading the way on cleaning the river, coordinating programming, and improving access through their Mystic Greenways Initiative for many years. There are multiple projects currently underway, including paths along the Malden River, the Northern Strand Extension, Rutherford Avenue, and the Somerville Community Path.
Western Gateway Connections
With the realignment of I-90, the expansion of Harvard in Lower Allston, and the imminent construction of West Station, this area of Allston is emerging as an exciting new multi-modal gateway to Cambridge, downtown Boston, Back Bay, and the Longwood Medical Area. Ensuring connections along the Grand Junction Path, Commonwealth Avenue, Beacon Street, and the People's Pike will ensure that this crossroads reflects the polycentric nature of the city.
Old Harbor Connections
The City of Boston is currently funding a complete redesign of Moakley Park (Boston's second largest park), while simultaneously thinking about waterfront protection against rising storm surges. Multiple street redesign projects that funnel into Moakley Park are in progress or proposed, including Morrissey Boulevard connecting the Neponset River to Moakley, Columbia Road connecting Franklin Park and Moakley, and connections north into Downtown Boston, the Seaport, and east towards the Longwood Medical Area. These projects can simultaneously enhance Boston's largest waterfront park and create important connections to recreation and jobs.
Charlestown Lower Mystic Greenway
This project aims to close the gap in the Boston Harborwalk between the Schrafft's Center, with nearly 2,000 employees, and the Lower Mystic Channel. When complete, this greenway path will be a vital protective barrier to rising sea levels, an access point to the Mystic River, and an important link in the emerging greenway network along the Mystic.
Partner: Mystic River Watershed Association
This project will link the existing 10 miles of greenway along the north shore of the Charles River with the existing Watertown Community Path. Under construction at this moment is the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway, which, in conjunction with the completion of the Arsenal Park Connector, will allow a person to travel from Downtown Boston to the Minuteman Path out to Lexington, or along the Mass Central Rail Trail out to Belmont, or along Alewife Brook Parkway out to Medford exclusively on greenway paths.
The goal of this project is to connect two of Boston’s most used greenway paths, the Emerald Necklace and the Southwest Corridor. This would provide a key link near dense housing, employment, and cultural institutions including Northeastern University, the Museum of Fine Art, and the Longwood Medical Area.
Partner: Emerald Necklace Conservancy
This project would implement a road diet on Hammond Street through Brookline, creating enough space for a two-way cycle track along the eastern edge of the roadway. Analysis has shown that average speeds along this corridor are in excess of 40 mph despite posted speed limits of 25 mph. A road diet, coupled with a cycle track, would provide necessary speed calming while providing an important north-south link to encourage active transportation in Brookline.
Partner: Brookline Bicycle Advisory Committee
This project will provide access to the beautiful Arnold Arboretum from two currently inaccessible spots, Roslindale Village, and neighborhoods to the east of the Arboretum. In addition to providing access, this path will also provide a more direct and safe link between Roslindale Village and the Forest Hills MBTA station, the Southwest Corridor, and Franklin Park, areas essential for expanding access to employment and recreation.
Partner: WalkUP Roslindale
This project aims to transform the American Legion Highway into the American Legion Parkway, a space that allows users to appreciate the density of trees and open space along the corridor. The wide corridor that currently exists has ample space for a redesigned road that includes a linear multi-use path to provide safer routes for the many students and residents along the corridor. The corridor is also a vital link between many public green spaces, including the Mount Hope Cemetery, the Boston Nature Center, Franklin Park Cemetery, and Franklin Park.
Partner: American Legion Corridor Coalition
The Dot Greenway is a unique project aimed at taking full advantage of an existing and underutilized asset in Dorchester, the cap over the MBTA Red Line tunnel between Talbot Avenue and Park Street. What is currently an overgrown and fenced off concrete slab will become a linear park connecting residents of Dorchester to two MBTA Red Line stations and the planned bike lanes for Talbot Avenue.
Partner: Greater Ashmont Main Street
Fairmount to Mattapan Greenway
This project will provide access to the Neponset River along a two-mile stretch of the northern bank in Hyde Park and Mattapan where residents currently have no access to the river in their backyard. In addition to opening up the river to the residents, this will also create a safe and direct link between the Fairmount MBTA station and the commercial center of Hyde Park, the West Street Urban Wild, Doyle Park, the Shops at Riverwood, the Mattapan MBTA station, and the existing Neponset River Greenway.
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Questions? Contact [email protected] for more information.