Torbert Macdonald Park

Aerial view of Macdonald Park. Credit: Jon Collier

Macdonald Park is one of the largest riverfront parks in Greater Boston, providing residents in Medford, Somerville, Malden and Everett with recreational opportunities in and along the Mystic River. While the park is an important asset, it has not received the investment needed for ongoing maintenance and improvements. MyRWA and DCR are partnering to reverse this trend to make this a vibrant riverfront park that is an environmental and recreational hub for local communities.

LATEST PARK UPDATES:

• Macdonald Park is currently undergoing a Vegetation Management Plan Update to restore the ecological health of the park, thanks to a state earmark secured by State Senator Patricia Jehlen and State Representatives Paul Donato, Christine Barber, and Sean Garballey. This update includes 208 new trees which have been planted over 2025 and the removal of 102 dead trees, eliminating the risk of falling dead branches and creating space for new growth. Unfortunately, since the park's creation, some tree species like Cottonwood have reached the end of their lifetime, while others like Ash have rapidly succumbed to damage by pests like the Emerald Ash Borer.

• A boardwalk underpass near the east entrance of the park and a playground near the parking lot are both in the design process with capital funding secured.

• MyRWA installed sparrow boxes and an osprey platform for improved habitat. Learn more about these, and other birds, that can be found in the park in the “Birds of Macdonald Park” Storymap.

• Stop by the Mystic Musical Fence to make music in the park. Hear professional musicians play the fence here, and view images of the fence ribbon cutting here.

• MyRWA has an ongoing volunteer stewardship program bringing hundreds of people out to remove invasive Oriental bittersweet. Check our calendar for stewardship events and programming in the park. Cleanups occur monthly during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

• DCR has repaved most of the 3 miles of trails and removed nearly 15 acres of phragmities, opening up access to the Mystic River and increasing safety.

Cove Path

Bike down the newly paved path along the cove where phragmites was also removed to restore native wildlife habitat and allow better river views.

Boat Launch

Launch your kayak or canoe from the new overlook boat launch. Photo: David Mussina

Sitting Wall

Perch on the new sitting wall overlooking the boat launch.

Rain Gardens

Newly planted rain gardens will help filter rainwater. Located adjacent to new bike racks, the Mystic musical fence, and the old willow.

Dock

An accessible sitting dock is past the old willow tree on the newly paved paths.

Musical Fence

Play the new Mystic Musical Fence located directly past the overlook.

Stewardship Program

MyRWA volunteers remove Oriental Bittersweet creeping up an old tree.

Leaf Peeping

Full of trees, Macdonald Park is a great place to see fall foliage.

Swallow Boxes

Installing swallow boxes across the park in spring 2019.