State officials are preparing to announce $9 million in funding that will be used to expand public access along the Neponset River in Mattapan and Hyde Park. Aided by an infusion of $2 million from a federal transportation grant, the money will help stitch together a new connection in a network of trails along the Neponset River stretching from Columbia Point in Dorchester to Mattapan and, now, deeper into the neighborhoods west of Mattapan Square.

The funding will also contribute to the construction of a new bathhouse at Ryan Playground on River Street.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) plans to combine the new federal dollars with existing state funds to get the developments moving.

“These projects are an investment in the future of these neighborhoods,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “By revitalizing our parks and green spaces, we’re not only improving recreational opportunities but also strengthening community connections, improving the health and well-being of two underserved communities, expanding access to nature, and making these spaces more resilient to climate change.

“We’re eager to see these transformations and their lasting impact on residents and families in the Mattapan and Hyde Park communities,” he added. 

Some $6 million will be devoted to expanded access along Edgewater Drive in Mattapan— dubbed the Edgewater Greenway in a project that will include improvement to the existing Kennedy Playground that is expected to begin soon and continue over the next two years.

This section of greenway will include a half-mile trail stretching from Kennedy Playground to Osceola Street along the northern bank of the Neponset River – an area now literally walled off by a deteriorated stone fence. The approximately 3-acre site has been vacant and underutilized for years. A key feature of the project will be an 8-foot-wide ADA-accessible trail with new fitness equipment, offering recreational opportunities for the community, river views, and spaces for environmental education.

In addition to the trail, native plantings will help mitigate climate change, provide shade, and enhance the habitat along the length of the corridor. The project also includes raised planters near the Kennedy Community Gardens, replacement of the existing canoe launch, benches, two overlook decks, and new lights throughout the park.  

Vivien Morris, president of the Edgewater Neighborhood Association, said neighbors are pleased about this investment.
“Edgewater Neighborhood Association worked with DCR on the workplan for the Pathway, Kennedy Playground upgrade, and more over several years now,” she said. “We made sure to have the community’s vision for the space included. Now we are totally excited to have the actual construction begin.”

Said Fatima Ali-Salaam, an Edgewater neighbor and chair of the Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council (GMNC): “I’m very happy that we’re still able to invest in our open space for our community with all that’s going on now. It’s an environmental justice community and it comes at a time when so many are having so much taken away.

“So, it’s wonderful to know our state can provide this kind of funding. It’s a nice way to begin the year, and it will be a very nice thing for the public to be able to access and use.”

Other neighbors involved with planning over the years include Helena Tonge of Bel-Nel Family Neighborhood Association, Jessie D’Ambreville, and LaRay Brison.

The improvements to Kennedy Playground include new shade shelters and a picnic pavilion. Neighbors and elected officials are hopeful they and the plans for the Greenway will transform the site into a recreation hub for the Mattapan community. 

“These improvements to our parks and green spaces are a direct investment in our community’s health, safety, and quality of life,” said state Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid. “For too long, our neighborhoods have been overlooked when it comes to environmental justice and equitable access to outdoor spaces…I’m grateful for this dedication to our community and look forward to seeing these spaces transformed for generations to come.” 

State Sen. Liz Miranda joined in the applause. “We’re incredibly excited to see Commissioner Arrigo, DCR, and the administration make targeted investments in our communities, promoting public health, climate resilience and quality of life,” she said.

The $800,000 sum for the bathhouse at Ryan Park will fund a new enclosed lifeguard station, enhancing safety and accessibility, and is a first phase item in the larger improvement project for Ryan. DCR is in the design phase for the larger project, which will introduce new playground equipment, fitness stations, improved circulation, a performance stage, basketball courts and updated parking.

In July 2024, DCR unveiled a new expanded wading pool – a more than $2 million improvement project for the park that doubled the size of the pool, installed new benches, shade pavilions and rubber surfacing.

Construction on the bathhouse started this week ands is expected to be completed in early summer.

Over in Hyde Park, Doyle Park will see $1.6 million in work to replace asphalt with play lawns, a community gathering space, and the start of another trail along the river. The DCR noted that the projects are part of ongoing efforts to create a more connected, sustainable, and accessible network of parks and trails throughout Massachusetts, especially in environmental justice communities.

In the overall picture, the new funding will ensure the long-contemplated extension and connection of the existing trail that runs from Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester to River Street and ends in Mattapan Square. Another project, the Neponset Greenway connection on Morrissey Boulevard that expands the network northward, is set for an opening this spring.