Warmer weather is coming, which means big things are brewing along the Mystic Greenways! We are thrilled to announce the first Mystic Lakes Mini-Grants, a new 5-year strategic plan, several groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings, all bringing us closer toward our vision for 25 miles of resilient, inclusive, and connected parks and paths from the Mystic Lakes to the Boston Harbor.

SUMMER 2026 MYSTIC LAKES MINI-GRANT AWARDEES

View across a lake on a hot summer day with lily pads, trees, and swimmers in the distance — Upper Mystic Lake. Credit: Isaiah Johnson

MyRWA is pleased to announce the award of four mini-grants to community groups and individuals who will implement welcoming, inclusive programming at Mystic Lakes State Park this summer. The program is made possible by a generous grant from the Barr Foundation and is part of MyRWA’s Mystic Shoreline Initiative, which seeks to improve recreational opportunities and ecological conditions along the Mystic shoreline in Arlington, Medford, and Winchester. The grants will support the following programs:

Pollinators of the Mystic Lakes Walk: Explore Mystic Lakes State Park and learn about its diverse insect pollinators. This leisurely guided walk will focus on the challenges these crucial small creatures face, their complex interactions with plants, and their essential role in the ecosystem.
Fluid Soul by the Mystic Lakes: Fluid Soul, a live dance and music project by Winchester-based acclaimed saxophonist Phil Scarff and Indian classical dance artist Mouli Pal, will be performed at three locations along the Mystic Lakes. Audience members will walk between sites, experiencing the work's sections within the natural landscape, connecting them with water, nature, and all living beings.
Coloring Club at the Mystic Lakes: Coloring Club is a monthly, low-pressure event promoting mental well-being and community connection through mindful coloring and conversation. This summer, the accessible artmaking group will meet at the Mystic Lakes, fostering new friendships and a sense of belonging.
Mystic Merfolk English and Spanish CPR and Water Safety Training: The Mystic Merfolk will host a morning CPR and Water Safety Course, with Spanish translation, to train the community in emergency response. Training includes CPR mannequins, a demo AED, and safety buoy rescues.

MYSTIC GREENWAYS STRATEGIC PLAN

Map with information about different park and path projects along the Mystic Greenways — Mystic Greenways Progress Map. Click to enlarge

Supporting diverse programming for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds is just one recommended outcome identified in MyRWA’s 5-year strategic plan for the Mystic Greenways, which was recently published after a yearlong community and stakeholder engagement process. In addition to advancing more than $225 million in proposed projects – ranging from Assembly Row’s Draw 7 Park, to Somerville’s Blessing of the Bay, to the Malden River Works project, to upgrades at the Little Mystic Channel in Charlestown – our team looks forward to also helping community members feel more welcome and connected to the beautiful greenway spaces in the watershed through better wayfinding, more access to the water and shoreline, and impactful programming.

View the Mystic Greenways Strategic Plan

GROUNDBREAKINGS AND RIBBON CUTTINGS

Wellington Underpass

Construction on the Wellington Underpass, which will provide a safe boardwalk crossing along the Mystic River beneath the Fellsway from Torbert Macdonald Park to the Wellington Greenway and T Station, is scheduled to begin over the summer. Learn more at https://mysticriver.org/greenways-blog/2021/1/28/wellington-route-28-underpass

Blessing of the Bay Park

Construction of the Shore Drive Greenway will break ground mid-May after a multi-year design and fundraising process led by MyRWA. The new greenway will increase the park’s footprint through the introduction of a 12-foot shared use path, dozens of new shade trees, native landscaping, and green stormwater infrastructure. Learn more at https://voice.somervillema.gov/shore-drive-greenway.

Little Mystic Harborwalk Extension

Construction of a new Boston Harborwalk Segment in the Little Mystic Channel area of Charlestown is scheduled for this coming summer after several years of successful fundraising and community engagement in partnership with Charlestown residents and the City of Boston. Learn more at mysticriver.org/little-mystic.

Malden River Works

The first phase of improvements, including the City of Malden’s first waterfront park, is scheduled for completion in 2026 and has been championed by local residents of color and environmental advocates. Learn more at https://www.maldenriverworks.org/.

Mystic River Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge

State agencies are currently working diligently to begin the construction of a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge connecting Everett and Somerville by the end of 2026. For up-to-date information, click here.

A MORE INVITING GREENWAYS NETWORK

A person standing outdoors near a large rock presenting a graphic titled "Wayfinding Concepts" to a group of people in the foreground — Carlo Urmy of Toole Design presents example wayfinding concepts at the Alewife Brook Walk Audit in April

MyRWA is also making strides toward making our network of parks and paths more cohesive and welcoming by advancing a wayfinding plan for the Mystic River and Alewife Brook Reservations. Wayfinding is about helping people find their way in unfamiliar places and giving people the means to follow new routes and modes of travel. In our case, we're looking at how new signage may improve user experience and navigation along our parks and paths.

In April, we hosted two wayfinding audits – a walk along the Alewife Brook, and a bike ride along the Mystic River- to aid the development of a wayfinding plan for these two vital state reservations. Join us soon for an open house to learn about the draft plan and share your thoughts!