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Quiet section of Neponset path with dramatic bridge opens
By adamg on Sun, 05/21/2017 - 6:40pm
On Friday at 5 p.m., DCR opened the newest section of the Neponset Greenway, a 1.3-mile stretch from near Central Avenue into Mattapan that includes the new Harvest River Bridge crossing the river between Mattapan and Milton.
If you pull into the parking lot for the Ryan Playground, on River Street, sort of opposite Gladeside Avenue in Mattapan, follow the new path into the woods, which will take you to the Greenway. Turn left and you'll soon come to the bridge, the river and the path towards Lower Mills.
A tablet explains the bridge's name:
You'll get glimpses of the historic Mattapan trolleys (but if you want better views, head towards Lower Mills or Mattapan Square):
Along the way, you'll find some wildflowers - some of which are pretty small and require some bending over to get a good view of.
Construction of the new segment.
When completed, the Greenway will let you walk or bike from the mouth of the Neponset at Dorchester Bay to the Martini Shell in Hyde Park (which in turn is a relatively short walk to another path into the Blue Hills Reservation).
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Comments
Park
Nice story & pics Adam.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Excellent!
I've been so waiting for this to open. Nothing against the fine folks on River Street, but a flatter, more scenic running path to John Paul II Park will be great.
I ran up the Greenway this
I ran up the Greenway this morning, from Neponset Ave to Fairmount Ave. This was the first time the fences were down on the new section (FINALLY!). It is a lovely little stretch. I used to live just off the Charles in Watertown, and this stretch of trail is very similar. It's paved and scenic, with a lovely bridge over the river, and a great view of all the PCCs parked at Mattapan station.
With this addition, there's an uninterrupted path from Squantum Point (which connects to Quincy Shore Drive at Wollaston Beach) to Neponset Valley Parkway. Step across Paul's Bridge, and there's access to the Blue Hills trail network. What a great resource!
Blue Heron Bridge
Same design as the Blue Heron Bridge over the Charles in Newton.
https://structurae.net/structures/blue-heron-bridge
gorgeous!
gorgeous!
can't wait to rollerblade from beginning to end. for anyone who has not taken the "mattapan high speed trolley" it's a quaint step back in time with great views. kids love it, and the trolley drivers are always friendly.
they also beep the horn sometimes if they see you waving to them on the path.
These are cool pics that balance off a sweet story, Adam!
I especially love the pics of the wildflowers, and of the bridge itself! Fantastic!
On my list ....
.... of new places to explore on Saturday afternoons. Thank you!
For those heading there by T :
"Park Directions
MBTA: The trail is adjacent to the Butler, Milton Village, and Central Avenue Red Line stations (Ashmont Branch)."
and now also adjacent to the Mattapan station
No access (that I know of) from Capen Street and Valley Road stations, but I didn't explore in detail.
More photos of the newly opened trail
from Lee Toma
from Jessica Mink
Both of them led a walking tour of the new trail segment yesterday afternoon.
Wow
I may look into a home in Mattapan now . Would like something in the St.Ann / St. Brendan's area but can't hurt to look into it .
Great Article
'Local Color' isn't often regarded as the highest aspect of journalism.
Nevertheless, this is a great piece of local color.
And humans need that.