Open Space Victory in Hyde Park
NepRWA’s Greenways team recently celebrated an open space win with the Hyde Park Neponset River Access Committee.
Members of the Vacant Parcels Subcommittee have helped establish a Community Land Trust that is on the way to acquiring its first property.
Following two years of meetings to form the Trust, networking with advocates and activists in the open space industry, and building a relationship with the City of Boston, the Community Land Trust reached a major milestone.
As a result, the Mayor’s Office of Housing accepted its Request for Proposals to acquire the riverfront parcel at 23 A Street, Hyde Park.
The due diligence process is now underway, and the Land Trust expects to assume ownership this year.
The state’s Land Conservation Assistance Program and the Solomon Foundation recently funded a site boundary survey and the development of concept plans, with the Hyde Park Historical Society serving as fiscal agent for the Trust.
The Trust and collaborators will seek additional support in 2026 for a detailed site plan needed for City permit review.
The Trust is also inquiring about other Hyde Park parcels slated for dispensation identified in the City of Boston’s 2022 Land Audit.
The Public Land for Public Good data identified 9.5 million square feet of vacant or underutilized land citywide. Many of these parcels are not suitable for housing or transfer to state or City conservation programs, and future use will be determined by local communities.
A group of Hyde Park residents formed the Trust to return land to the commons by acquiring vacant parcels with open space potential.
Membership includes several community and civic action groups, including the Hyde Park Neponset River Access Committee, Hyde Park Historical Society, Southwest Boston CDC, the Crane Ledge Woods Coalition, and Historic Boston, Inc.
The Trust continues to meet regularly with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and environmental organizations, including Mass Audubon, Speak for the Trees, and NepRWA.
NepRWA has worked with the Committee for years to improve riverfront safety and access for Hyde Park residents, who currently enjoy only a small stretch of public open space along the Neponset River.
For any questions, please email NepRWA Greenways Director, Andres Ripley, at ripley@neponset.org
