Edgewater Riverfront

Next to Mattapan Square, the bustling center of one of Boston’s largest Black and Caribbean communities, a ribbon of forest follows the banks of the Neponset River. Though gorgeous in greenery, a long stone barrier has walled off residents from the river for decades, impeding recreational use, attracting illegal dumping, making people feel unsafe, and depriving the community of the many health benefits that come from local access to nature. But with the support and ideas of the local community, this half-mile of overgrown trail has the potential to become a cherished neighborhood asset.

Trust for Public Land is working with the Edgewater Neighborhood Association, local conservation partners, and residents to connect the local community with its riverfront. Our community workshops are giving voice to residents’ vision for the future of their waterfront, helping advocate for better access, and helping residents learn about conservation and land stewardship within their own backyards.

In March 2021, the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Conservation announced that the Commonwealth will work with an Edgewater community advisory committee to design a new park experience along the Neponset. Construction is anticipated to begin in the Fall 2024 and once complete, residents will have better access to the riverfront to explore this beautiful waterway in their own backyards.