Grants will help create much-needed open space across four communities
Arlington, MA, July 18, 2023 – The Mystic River Watershed Association is celebrating four recent grants to advance multiple paths and parkland projects in Charlestown, Medford, Somerville and Winchester.
● In Charlestown, $250,000 has been awarded from the City of Boston’s Community Preservation Act grant program to design and construct the CharlesNewtown Plaza, which is part of a larger community-led redesign along the Little Mystic Channel. This work is being led by a nine-person resident-led Steering Committee from the neighborhood.
● In Somerville, $250,000 has been awarded from the City of Somerville’s Community Preservation Act grant program to complete designs for a shared use path that includes green infrastructure at Blessing of the Bay Park in Somerville. Also at Blessing of the Bay, $234,460 has been awarded from the City of Somerville’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program to complete designs for shoreline improvements and conduct vegetative management. Both of these projects are outcomes of a community-led design process and build upon other improvements to the park which started in 2017.
● In Medford and Winchester, $176,420 from the MassTrails grant program and $43,070 from the Lawrence and Lillian Solomon Foundation has been awarded to begin the design of a 2-mile shared use path and other amenities along Mystic Valley Parkway. The project will bring accessible facilities to a section of the Mystic Lakes State Park that has not seen community input or investment in decades.
“High quality parks and connected paths are not luxuries; they are essential infrastructure for 21st century cities. They improve community health and wellbeing, mitigate climate impacts, and encourage active mobility,” said Karl Alexander, Greenways Program Manager for the Mystic River Watershed Association. “With these new proposed improvements–we are helping create this critical infrastructure in partnership with area residents.”
The projects are part of the Mystic Greenways Initiative – now two-thirds complete – that will connect 25 miles of paths and improve hundreds of acres of parklands in partnership with thousands of community members from the Mystic Lakes to the Boston Harbor. These new grants are part of a major renaissance along the Mystic River and its tributaries, with over $100 million in park and pathway projects currently under design or construction.
The Mystic Greenways vision includes 25 miles of connected paths and parks, including three projects that were recently awarded design grants. From top left: Mystic Lakes State Park in Medford and Winchester, Blessing of the Bay Park in Somerville, and the Little Mystic Channel in Chalestown (Map Credit: Mystic River Watershed Association)
“These Mystic Greenways projects are a direct result of collective action by grassroots, municipal, and state partners working to improve community wellness, resilience, and beauty in the face of a changing climate,” said Patrick Herron, Executive Director of the Mystic River Watershed Association. “From the resident-led development of new parks in Charlestown to the Greenway’s inclusion in the recently-published MassTrails Priority Trails Network Vision, momentum is building to celebrate the Mystic as a truly indispensable resource.”
"The MassTrails Grant program funds critical connections within communities and across the Commonwealth that people rely on for exercise, recreation, transportation, and economic development," said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “The Mystic Valley project in Medford and Winchester will create a shared use path that will increase accessibility and increase opportunities to enjoy our outdoor spaces.”
"This summer's weather events have vividly shown us that climate change is no longer some looming threat we are buckling up for, it's here now. The Mystic River Watershed Association's newly funded work will help Somerville be ready for the challenges ahead, as well create more public community spaces," said Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. "The improvements at Blessing of the Bay park, including new green infrastructure, shoreline enhancements, and a shared community path will help us continue towards a greener and more accessible future along the Mystic River."
"Living in Boston, we face the constant impact of climate change. The rising sea levels, higher temperatures, and stronger storms pose a threat to our communities, public spaces, buildings, and infrastructure," said Thadine Brown, Director of the City of Boston’s Community Preservation Office. "We are very excited to support the funding for the design and construction to rehabilitate the CharlesNewtown Plaza in Charlestown. This project aims to improve a recreational space and increase accessibility for elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals, which is essential for the overall health and well-being of Boston residents.”
“Climate change is beginning to impact the quality of life in our dense urban neighborhoods with extremes of weather: hotter days, torrential rains, droughts, and now smoke! Resilience in all its forms will be needed by residents in the decades ahead to weather these evolving conditions and to build a better future for the planet,” said Herb Nolan, Executive Director of the Solomon Foundation. “What better way to build both community and resilience than to gather together in parks and paths by the river. Congratulations to the staff of Mystic River Watershed Association for being awarded four grants towards the expansion of parks and paths along one of Boston's great rivers.”
Charlestown
The redesigned plaza at the Little Mystic Channel in Charlestown will include new shade trees and places for gathering (Conceptual Image Credit: Landing Studio)
"I am thrilled that Boston's Community Preservation Act has awarded $250,000 to design and construct the CharlesNewtown Plaza," said Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta. "Multi-use, open green spaces in our neighborhoods allow us to mitigate our city's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and ensure all residents have equitable access to safe and welcoming green spaces. I look forward to seeing the community-led redesign along the Little Mystic Channel soon."
“I want to thank the Mystic River Watershed Association for their work on this initiative,” said Representative Dan Ryan. “Working in partnership with the City of Boston’s CPA Grant Program, along with local residents, the design and construction of the CharlesNewtown Plaza will provide a great space along the Little Mystic Channel.”
“We need more public spaces in our state so we can connect with neighbors, walk around and enjoy the weather, and have safe and fun places for our children to play,” said State Senator Sal DiDomenico. “I am excited to see these grants support the development of parks and paths that I have advocated for in my district because they will increase accessibility to our community's open spaces and improve the lives and health of countless residents.”
“Charlestown is growing rapidly with new developments set to dramatically increase population and density over the coming years,” said members of the resident-led Little Mystic Channel Steering Committee in a joint statement. “Investments in green open spaces such as the Little Mystic Plaza helps ensure current and new residents of all ages have access to beautiful and safe spaces to hang out, connect with the waterfront, and reduce summer heat with new trees and greenery.”
Somerville
The redesigned Blessing of the Bay Park in Somerville will include shoreline improvements and a shared use path (Conceptual Image Credit: Offshoots Productive Landscapes, LLC.)
Access to parks and green spaces grants our communities the freedom and mobility needed to live healthy lives, said Representative Christine Barber. Funding for these critical projects, the Blessing of the Bay path and shoreline improvements and shared use path on Mystic Valley Parkway, are critical to addressing climate change and the health of our communities. Through continued partnership at state, local and federal levels, I am grateful for the work of the Mystic River Watershed Association to leverage funds to ensure all have access to parks, green space and the River.
"Open spaces are incredible assets to our community," said Senator Patricia Jehlen. "The improvements being made with these grants will ensure that these parks are safe and accessible to all for many years to come. It's wonderful to walk along the Mystic, and these improvements will make it even more enjoyable."
Medford and Winchester
A new project will begin design on accessible facilities to a section of the Mystic Lakes State Park in Medford and Winchester that has not seen community input or investment in decades (Image Credit: Mystic River Watershed Association)
“We have an opportunity to fully activate untapped waterfront green space in Mystic Lake State Park that will prioritize accessibility and lead to a more sustainable outcome for our community,” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said. “Thank you to the Mystic River Watershed Association for securing this MassTrails grant enabling Medford to move closer to achieving our climate goals with this shared path.”
“The Town of Winchester is thrilled to hear about the recent grant to advance development of a 2-mile shared use path along Mystic Valley Parkway,” said Winchester Town Manager Beth Rudolph. “The Town, working in conjunction with MassDOT and the communities of Woburn and Stoneham completed construction of the Tri-Community Greenway several years ago. This new path will create a connection between the existing bikeway, the Wedgemere commuter rail station, the DCR-owned Shannon Beach, and other recreation amenities. The new path will be a tremendous asset for Winchester residents and the region as a whole.”
“It is imperative that we continue to create and maintain green spaces in our increasingly urban environment,” said Representative Sean Garballey, Chair of the House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. “Parks and open areas are of vital importance to the Commonwealth and I am very pleased to see these plans coming to fruition.”
“I’m very excited to see progress being made to upgrade the Mystic Valley Parkway in Winchester to include a shared use path,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “These projects are excellent ways to foster engagement in the community, and to provide environmentally-friendly transportation options, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and promote local businesses and economic development.”
"The Mystic River runs through so many historic and culturally diverse communities along its path to Boston Harbor,” said Terry E. Carter of the West Medford Community Center and the City of Medford’s Inaugural Poet Laureate. “Having MyWRA as advocate and agent for equity and inclusion toward full participation in the amazing resource the river represents, in all of these communities, is critical. Likewise, environmental justice is not accidental. The cities and towns in the watershed need to see both a watchdog and an active caretaker, as they develop and promote infrastructure improvement and positive change. We see MyRWA as that watchdog and active caretaker, bolstered by the work of countless constituent volunteers, and lifted by the local concern of dedicated champions and engaged charitable interests. We look forward to continued partnership in this work and applaud the outstanding stewardship of the resource by our friends at Mystic River Watershed Association."
"Medford is blessed with many natural resources such as the Middlesex Fells Reservation, the Mystic River and the Mystic Lakes, but it can be very difficult to access these amenities without a car," explained Ellery Klein, chair of safe streets and walkability community advocacy group WalkMedford. "By focusing our financial resources on creating more choices for people to travel within and between cities, including new paths for walking, biking and rolling, we'll enhance quality of life - mental health, physical wellness, community solidarity, and our natural environment - for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities."
"The proposed Mystic Valley Parkway path would add another important segment to the continuous walking/biking route emerging along the length of the Mystic River in Medford,” said Mary L. Werowinski, President of the Friends of the Mystic River. “It will provide a safe and accessible route, in all seasons, for thousands of visitors to the popular Mystic Lakes area -- site of the area’s only free, public swimming lake, at the Charles E. Shannon Memorial Beach."
“Parkways were originally built to access parkland by horse or the newly invented bicycle,” said Roger Wilson of the Winchester Friends of the Tri-Community Greenway. “They were repurposed as commuter routes when the motorcar came along. In the modern day, multi-use pathways along the Mystic River and its tributaries are as important for getting around by bicycle as they are for pleasure walking and riding. The projects now in the planning stages will help create a true network that will move the whole metro area forward in a healthy, sustainable, and thoroughly enjoyable way. Congrats to MyRWA!”
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Mystic River Watershed at a Glance
The 76-square-mile Mystic River Watershed stretches from Reading through the northern shoreline of Boston Harbor to Revere. An Anglicized version of the Pequot word missi-tuk (“large river with wind- and tide-driven waves”), it is now one of New England’s most densely populated, urbanized watersheds.
Its 21 municipalities are home to 600,000 residents, including many who are disproportionately vulnerable to extreme weather: environmental justice communities, new Americans, residents of color, elders, low-income residents and employees, people living with disabilities and English-language learners.
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) builds shared solutions so that all people, no matter who you are or where you live across the Mystic River Watershed, have safe and easy access to nature and a healthy environment. MyRWA believes that understanding the roots of current inequity, access to information, and opportunities to learn about the natural world empower us all to work together for a better future in the Mystic.
Questions? Contact: Karl Alexander, Greenways Program Manager
karl.alexander@mysticriver.org, (617) 519-8921
