Historic photo (c. 1912) from Brookline archives
| Supporters “The Carlton Street Footbridge typifies the convenience of urban life, the pleasure of walking in a human-scale, interesting, eclectic, and refreshing environment.” Jane Holtz Kay, architectural writer, author, Lost Boston. “Walkers will love this footbridge. It is located at the right spot, and provides a safer park entry that crossing the tracks at grade.” Dorothea Haas, Director, WalkBoston. “The notion that restoring the bridge will adversely affect the neighborhood’s security doesn’t make sense. In fact, more people using the park will increase neighborhood security, not reduce it”. "Clearly, the Carlton Street entrance to the Muddy River park in its present condition is a crucial 'missing link' in the Emerald Necklace, a feature that Olmsted carefully designed to provide both convenient access and landscape amenity for many potential users of his park." “We consider the bridge an important neighborhood amenity”. Former MDC Commissioner John Sears, for Christ’s Church Longwood. “Police will have more access to the Longwood Neighborhood from Riverway Park, and increased use will make the park safer for park users.” Captain Peter Scott, Brookline Police Public Relations Officer. “I look forward to having a convenient entry to the Park.” Cathleen Cavell, 30-year resident and Town Meeting Member. |
The bridge was designed by Alexis French, Olmsted’s collaborator in the design of Riverway and Olmsted Parks and Brookline’s first Town Engineer. The single-span steel truss bridge provides access between Brookline’s historic Longwood/Cottage Farm neighborhoods and the Riverway Park section of the Emerald Necklace.
Carlton Street entrance has been closed for over 30 years