Address: Neponset River, Dorchester
2008 Status: Protected
2008 Condition: Altered
Site Size: 0.7 Acres
Click here for the Urban Wilds Glossary.
Description: Right-of-Way Shores Urban Wild includes upland portions of the northern bank of the Neponset River, between the Hancock Street bridge (Route 3A) and the MBTA Red Line (Braintree branch) bridge. These bridges span the Neponset River at Neponset Circle. The riverbank here is reinforced by a concrete seawall and the majority of the Wild was developed as a portion of the Neponset River Greenway. The Wild includes a small grassland, studded with a few shrubs, on the slopes leading up to the bridge abutments.
Current Use: Right-of-Way Shores Urban Wild is the fourth piece in the collection of urban wilds that form the Neponset River Greenway Phase I. This wild is available to the public for greenway activities such as walking, biking, and rollerblading. This is also a preferred site for recreational fishing.
History: Right-of-Way Shores Urban Wild is part of the abandoned branch line of the former Old Colony Railroad. In the early 1990’s, it appeared that the area would be lost as Conrail had leased some of the land to an abutter who built a parking lot. BNAF, now BNAN, and others acted quickly and Conrail agreed to suspend further leasing for 3 months. The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, then Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), was successful in acquiring the property in 1992 with the goal of creating the Neponset River Greenway. Cleanup of contaminated soil was completed in June of 2000 and paving of the trail was completed in October 2002.
Ward: 11
Site ID: 11-14
Site Owner: Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Access Points: Accessible from the Neponset River Greenway and Pope John Paul II Park.
Visitation Hours: Dawn to dusk.
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The Neponset River Greenway follows the alignment of the Right of Way Shores Urban Wild.
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The northern portion of Right of Way Shores has been graded and paved for parking.
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