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Neponset River Greenway

The Neponset River Greenway connects Boston Urban Wilds, existing and proposed parkland stretching across the City’s neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Mattapan and Dorchester and the Town of Milton. When complete, the Neponset River Greenway, which includes eleven urban wilds, will be a ten mile pedestrian/bike trail from the mouth of the Neponset River to the 894-acre Fowl Meadows at the city limits. The Greenway will also connect to the 5,800-acre Blue Hills Reservation, thus providing access to the largest open space within thirty-five miles of Boston.

The Greenway is at the heart of the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Neponset Reservation and will provide a direct connection from the mouth of the Neponset River to Harborwalk, which continues north along the DCR's Dorchester Shores Reservation, including the Dorchester and South Boston beaches to Castle Island, a park with a commanding view of Boston Harbor.

Download BNAN’s "The Recycled Park: The Environmental Evolution of Pope John Paul II Park, Dorchester, Massachusetts" brochure (in pdf format).

The Neponset River Greenway Council, convened by BNAN in 1995 and continually receiving staff support from BNAN, has provided the vision for the Greenway and the planning for its many public programs. The Council meets monthly to enable residents to have a voice in how the Greenway is being developed. The Council, BNAN and MA DCR have formed a productive collaboration to support the planning, design, construction and stewardship of the Neponset River Greenway. Additional participants are always welcome.

There are a variety of environmental opportunities offered along the greenway through the the Youth Conservation Corps and other Events and meetings. Starting in June each year, the Neponset River Greenway Festival includes several activities such as canoeing, movies, dancing, hiking, music, and much more.

Greenway Neponset River Map

Video Link
Canoeing the Neponset in Dorchester Featured on TV's Chronicle

Chronicle, a popular Boston news magazine show on WCBV-TV Channel 5, aired an episode in early October 2010 about the Boston Harborwalk. BNAN and MA DCR participated in a segment about canoeing on the Neponset River in Dorchester. View the video clip HERE!

Neponset River Greenway
Neponset Trail Extension

Sent August 2010 to DCR regarding Neponset Trail Extension

In response to the MA DCR public comment period for the Neponset Trail Extension, the Neponset Greenway Council submitted a comment letter with the group’s priorities for the trail: ease of access from both communities abutting the river, proximity to the river, an emphasis on Ryan Playground, and safe connections to the existing trail segments. The Council proposed a “sixth option” for extending the Greenway. Click here to read more about the Council’s “sixth option” and letter in its entirety.

Click here to read more about the Council’s “sixth option” and letter in its entirety.

Click to view sketch of the New Trail Proposed by Neponset Greenway Council.