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Emerald Necklace Master Plan
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Emerald
Necklace
(see also Muddy
River Project)
Winding 6 miles from Franklin Park to the Charles River, this linear
park system was designed in the 1880's by Frederick Law Olmsted. Now known
as the Emerald Necklace, the original intent was two-fold: 1) provide a
sanitary solution to what
had become a brackish backwater of Boston's Back Bay, and 2) add a
landscape that would enhance the rapidly expanding Boston residential
area.
The Emerald Necklace Master Plan was developed
jointly by Boston and Brookline to guide future improvements. Actions
spearheaded by Boston, Brookline, and DCR (the former MDC) have started to
transform a neglected greenspace into a Boston/Brookline jewel.
“Both architecturally and as a part of Olmsted’s plan for the park,
it (Pinebank) merits the major rehabilitation that will bring it back to
active use.” (The Emerald Necklace Parks Master Plan, Updated 2001)
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Jamaica Park - the pond shoreline was stabilized with stones.
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Beech tree at front
entrance Sycamore at south terrace |
Heritage trees are
defined as greater than 32" inches in diameter. Pinebank boasts three
of these, all about 4' in diameter. They are in serious need of pruning,
soil enhancement and fertilization. Friends of Pinebank is working with
Boston to identify and seek funds and grants for preservation.
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Olmsted Park - a dilapidated roadway was replaced
with bike and pedestrian paths and over 100 trees, a boardwalk was added at the south
end of Wards Pond, and the Kelly Skating Rink that was polluting Willow
Pond was removed.
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Riverdale Parkway in 1994
Allerton Overlook before restoration - 1994
Leverett Pond - car maintenance was a popular activity (along with other
more illicit activities after dark).
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Kelly Skating Rink - inactive, and leaking
brine into Spring Pond
Erosion at Leverett Pond - gabions were
installed to prevent erosion
Leverett Pond - 1996 rainstorms caused
extensive flood damage and led to Muddy River Dredging Project
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Newly restored Olmsted Park path
has replaced Riverdale Parkway
The Allerton entrance transformed
Riverdale Parkway - in 1997, this was converted
into a bike/pedestrian path |
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Carlton Street Footbridge
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Riverway Park - Brookline has
appointed a design review committee to prepare a grant application for
TEA-21 funds to restore the historic Carlton
Street Footbridge link to the Longwood residential area of Brookline.
Completion of this restoration project is scheduled for December 2007. |
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Gatehouse in Fenway
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Back Bay Fens - gatehouses designed by
H. H.
Richardson are being rebuilt.
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Dredging at Charlesgate
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Charlesgate - the first phase of the Muddy
River Dredging Project has been completed. |
