By Karl Alexander, Greenways Program Manager
Warmer weather is here, and Bike Month has begun. It’s a great time to get out on the Mystic Greenways, however you move, recreate, or relax!
Malden River Greenway - Credit: Herb Nolan
The vision of the Mystic Greenways is to connect 25 miles of paths, improve hundreds of acres of parklands and engage thousands of community members from the Mystic Lakes to the Boston Harbor. Approximately two-thirds of the vision is now complete, and an additional $100 Million of projects are either in active design or construction.
This year, the Mystic Greenways program has been very active in a number of locations throughout the watershed:
In Charlestown, the community-led redesign of parklands along the Little Mystic Channel continues. A new heat-resilient plaza and a pollinator garden are expected to break ground within the next year, and a new connection from Barry Field to Chelsea Street is open and now connects the channel to the Charlestown Navy Yard.
In Somerville, a vegetative management project at Blessing of the Bay Park will remove invasive plants, seed native species and build a new path along the shoreline.
In Medford and Winchester, conceptual designs are being completed for safe and accessible path facilities on the eastern shoreline of the Mystic Lakes.
In Malden, the Malden River Works project is soon to break ground, and when completed will be an exemplary example of community-led projects centering social justice and climate equity. Elsewhere in Malden, our partners at Bike to the Sea recently opened their new community bike kitchen, which will provide free bike tune up and repair services for residents along the Northern Strand Community Path.
In Medford, construction is underway at the Clippership Connector, a half-mile waterfront path that will connect more than 10 miles of contiguous greenways and provide a safe and scenic route between Medford Square, Andrew/McGlynn Schools and Riverbend Park.
We are excited to see all of these projects progress! Click here to learn more about ways to explore the Mystic this summer!
Bike to Work Day 2023 - Credit: Agnes Recato
