Submitted by
Thomas Timmons, Special Project Manager,
Boston Parks and Recreation Department
Alex Cassie, Conservation and Natural Resources Manager,
Brookline Department of Public Works: Sustainability and Natural Resources Division
February 2, 2026
The Muddy River, Emerald Necklace, and surrounding park system presents countless opportunities for visitors to enjoy open space, utilize a vital greenway for travel and recreation, and experience the myriad of benefits integrated park systems have on urban communities. The oversight and management of this forested corridor involve the collaboration of municipalities, neighbors, park stewards, community organizations, and advocates. The City of Boston and Town of Brookline play ongoing, primary roles in maintenance, landscaping, forestry, snow response, park ranger patrols and enforcement, and wildlife management. This Annual Update provides a summary of projects and events from 2025 as well as upcoming initiatives.
City of Boston
Forestry
Tree removals in the area of River Road were completed in Winter 2025/2026.
Projects slated for 2026:
● The removal of small trees growing out of bridges at Avenue Louis Pasteur and Agassiz Road.
● The revitalization of the “Moonscape” area located at the two corners of Brookline Avenue. Foot traffic, soil conditions, and Canada goose activity have historically made it challenging to grow turf. Utilizing LMSC proposal from the MMOC, Boston Parks and Recreation will focus on deep aeration of the lawn area and increased tree protection.
● Construction at Dana Farber, with use of Joslin Park as a construction site. 9 new trees are proposed within the Phase 1 area: 15’ Red Maple (acer rubrum) x2, 10’ Paperbark Maple (acer griseum) x2, 15’ and 10’ American Linden (tilia americana), 10’ and 8’ Cherry (prunus serrulata), and 15’ Katsura (cercidiphyllum japonicum). Boston Parks and Recreation will schedule a site visit with the MMOC in early March for a site walk to map out potential locations.
Landscape Maintenance
All landscape maintenance contracts are due in February 2026:
● The scope of Phase 1 area will be consistent with previous years: the original daylighted area along the Muddy River that runs between 440 Park Drive and Avenue Louis Pasteur.
● The scope of Phase 2 South area will now run from River Road to 440 Park Drive. This includes the previously unmaintained area between the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Charter work sites.
● The scope of Phase 2 North area will now run from Avenue Louis Pasteur to the Boylston Street Bridge on both the Fire Alarm and Victory Garden sides.
Boston Parks and Recreation will continue their initiative to identify, treat and remove populations of Japanese knotweed and phragmites from sensitive habitats. This ongoing, multiyear approach is a necessary step following Restoration Project efforts and promotes the development of native plant communities.
Avian Flu Response
The Town of Brookline and City of Boston collaboratively executed emergency protocols to respond to over 200 wild birds that were affected with avian flu along the Muddy River. Park rangers from both teams worked with local and state Departments of Public Health, Mass Wildlife, and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources over several weeks to respond to affected wildlife and to communicate regularly with the public.
Muddy River Restoration Project
In September 2025, Boston Parks and Recreation staff led Restoration Project advocates on a site walk of work areas, provided project updates and discussed potential modifications to 2026 maintenance contracts.
CDM Smith will continue to oversee water quality testing and all Boston permitting related to the Muddy River Restoration Project.
Terraink submitted proofs for review for five new Muddy River information signs similar to those implemented as elements of Phase 1. These are slated to be installed in 2026, with a proof available below.
Upcoming Projects
The Back Bay Fens Pathway Improvements project will kick off Spring 2026, with a projected completion date in 2027. The project will operate in phases to minimize disturbance to daily use and activity in the area. The scope includes the assessment and prioritization of pathway work and Boston Parks standard project design work, and will include new site furnishings, landscaping, and green infrastructure improvements.
Town of Brookline
Forestry
In late 2025, Forestry staff removed multiple small saplings and vegetation growing out of the foundations of bridges in Riverway Park. Parks & Open Spaces Division staff will continue to monitor these areas for any signs of regrowth and check the bridges frequently to ensure that no volunteer vegetation establishes in a way that could damage the historic structures.
One oak tree in Riverway Park near the Longwood Avenue Bridge with major branch failures that poses a hazard to park users as well as 3 smaller dead trees along the MBTA Green Line tracks are scheduled for removal. Town staff will replant these locations in the Spring as feasible with similar species, with additional pruning work to remove deadwood from several trees and improve park safety and tree health.
Forestry staff collaborated with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy to improve coordination and accessibility between the Conservancy’s data and the Town’s database.
Open Space & Recreation Plan Update
Over a period of 18 months, the Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee worked with Town of Brookline staff to update the Open Space & Recreation Plan. This new document serves not only as a vital resource for staff and residents to reference in regards to the parks, playgrounds, sanctuaries, and wild areas throughout Brookline, but acts as a roadmap of actions to reach open space goals.
The comprehensive action plan identifies priorities and projected timelines for implementation. Many of these actions involve the Muddy River park system and its role as a wetland environment, greenway, and essential element of urban stormwater management:
● Establishment, in coordination with Boston, DCR, and MassDOT, of a prioritized schedule and program for the repair and ongoing maintenance of the stone bridges of the Muddy River
● Development of planting plans that incorporate high-value, climate-resilient vegetation
● Development and implementation of an invasive species monitoring and management plan for public open spaces
● Creation and promotion of educational resources showcasing parks, sanctuaries, natural areas, and walking paths and routes connecting them
● Recruitment of greenway volunteers and advocates
● Broadening of cooperation with Emerald Necklace Conservancy in regards to shared projects, events, and communication
● Collaboration with local groups such as Brookline Greenspace Alliance, Mothers Out Front, and other regional and national entities to maintain and enhance partnerships
● Expansion of collaboration with the Charles River Watershed Association and CRWA municipalities to support common goals and initiatives
KZLA Planting Plan
Following review and support from the Park and Recreation Commission and Conservation Commission, the Parks & Open Space Division adopted an Olmsted Park and Riverway Park Planting Plan developed by Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture, Inc. (KZLA). This planting plan respects the initial vision of the Emerald Necklace and Olmstedian landscape concepts while adapting to the modern requirements of a busy urban park system. It includes considerations of climate resilient vegetation, sightlines for cyclists, and zoned areas that allow for modular planting projects over the course of the next decade.
Avian Flu Response
Following the seasonal influx of wildlife affected by the avian flu, the Brookline Sustainability & Natural Resources Division and Emergency Management Department developed an additional wildlife annex in the Town of Brookline Hazardous Materials Response Plan, to be utilized by all Departments for efficient, effective communication and response measures to future incidents.
Upcoming Projects
The Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) previously approved funding for a multi-year initiative to manage and prevent the spread of Japanese Knotweed populations along the Riverway, which is slated to begin Spring/Summer 2026.
With permitting now complete, an extensive restoration project including measures to address Willow Pond water quality and capacity and Leverett Pond bank stability is scheduled for late 2026. These measures include:
● Dredging Willow Pond to improve water quality and increase the capacity of the pond. It is anticipated that through improving water quality, this work will also promote and improve aquatic species habitat and general aquatic ecosystem functions. In increasing pond capacity, it is anticipated that the immediately adjacent area will be better protected from future flood events.
● Improving the banks of Leverett Pond (immediately downstream) to address bank erosion/settlement and provide a link between the Willow Pond Improvements and the recently completed Muddy River Restoration Project (MRRP) (which addressed areas of the bank further downstream). This work will increase wildlife habitat, and shade, providing better conditions for potential recreation.
● Improving the banks of Willow Pond in communication with Misty-Anne Marold from the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. These improvements will involve the incorporation of variable water depths and active planting of shrubs along the shore that will provide escape and cover for wildlife. Various native shade trees will also be planted to help moderate water temperature.
The City of Boston and Town of Brookline appreciate the MMOC’s ongoing dedication to preserving and maintaining this cherished historical and natural resource and promoting its immeasurable value as a community connection and green corridor.
