Tag: Arnold Arboreteum

A top WalkUP Roslindale initiative is a new multi-modal “gateway path” into the Arnold Arboretum directly from Roslindale Square. An introduction to our vision is below; you can also print this PDF flyer as a quick introduction to the project.

• Update 9/23/22 – Fall 2022 Gateway Path Update
• Update 3/1/20 – Spring 2020 Gateway Path Update – New 25% Concept Plan, Demolition Started at Bussey Brook Meadow
• Update 3/17/19 – Slides now available from 25% design meeting for Gateway Path
• Update 2/18/19 – Bussey Brook Meadow Path Gets Recommendation for CPA funding!
• Update 2/14/19 – Community Meeting on February 28, 2019 at Menino/Archdale Community Center for Gateway Path 25% Design of Entire Path
• Update 7/12/18 – Community Meeting on July 25, 2018 at Roslindale Community Center for Gateway Path 25% Design of MBTA Section
• Update 6/24/18 – Major Step Forward for the Gateway Path – Possible Funding from the Commonwealth
• Update 8/17/17 – Roslindale Gateway Path & Blackwell Path Extension – Now combined and on the move!
• Update 5/9/17 – Roslindale Gateway Path 10% Conceptual Plan, and onward! 
• Update 5/2/17 – Roslindale Gateway Path 10% Conceptual Plan Public Meeting – Monday, May 8, 2017 6:30pm at Weld Hill Building in Arboretum and Jane’s Walk of Proposed Path Route on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at 1pm
• Update 12/2/16 – Path tour and feedback session this Saturday, 12/3/16 10am, starting at the Mendum Street Gate entrance to Peters Hill section of Arboretum
• Update 6/20/16 – Ride/walk this Friday, 6/24/16 at 4pm at Forest Hills entrance to Blackwell Path
• Update 5/14/16 – Community Vision Report Complete
• Update 11/6/15 – Updated/Improved Version of Flyer With Modified Proposed Route.
• Update 3/7/16 – Arboretum Gateway Path Visioning Session March 30, 2016 at 6:30pm.

The Arnold Arboretum is not only Roslindale’s greatest park, but among the most beautiful urban open spaces anywhere. In 1880 Frederick Law Olmsted wrote: “On (these) acres much the best arboretum in the world can be formed.” Today, some of Olmsted’s “emerald necklace” plan has been realized, but much remains to be done.

We envision a new entrance to the Arboretum close to Roslindale Square, to make the park more visible and accessible to residents and visitors. The Rozzie Gateway Path would start adjacent to the commuter rail platform, and continue at grade into the park, allowing access to the open space without the need to surmount the large hill that lead to the Mendum Street gate.

The Path will continue straight parallel to the commuter rail tracks toward Bussey Street, and then connect up with the Bussey Brook Meadow path and on to Forest Hills.

Key Benefits

• Better access to the Arboretum from Roslindale Square (and thus to transit node, businesses, Farmers Market, etc.)
• Washington Street lacks pedestrians amenities ^[1] and is unsafe for bicyclists; the Gateway Path will provide a better alternative to reach Forest Hills, where walkers and cyclists can avail themselves to the many amenities around Forest Hills; continue on to the Southwest Corridor Park; or board the Orange Line. And of course vice-versa — folks coming down the Orange Line or the Southwest Corridor will have a superior route to visit Roslindale Village.
• Current routes from Roslindale to Forest Hills through the Arboretum have steep hills and are more than twice as much distance as the proposed path
• Hubway Bike-Share stations could be available at both ends, providing a quick, easy, low-stress route to connect Rozzie with JP and the Orange Line
• Possibilities for improved Arboretum access from underserved neighborhoods, particularly the Archdale area

Discussion of the full route is still very much open. The crossing at South Street and Bussey presents the biggest challenge, although not an insurmountable one. For the penultimate section on the north side of South/Bussey, the route could proceed on either side of South Street subject to consideration Boston Water and Sewer Commission and flood-plain issues. With these caveats, below is one of the paths we are considering:

We have made significant progress in moving from idea to reality; if you’d like to learn more, please join our email list or contact us directly. We’d love to hear your suggestions or other feedback!