Quincy RiverWalk
The Quincy RiverWalk is a 2-mile-long public walkway along the Neponset River shore that officially opened on September 30, 2014. The Watershed Association and other Greenway advocates worked together for more than 10 years to create this public trail along the Quincy shore of the Neponset River.
The Quincy RiverWalk includes a salt marsh, a natural beach, and a few canoe launches for River access.
The upstream terminus of the Quincy RiverWalk is the Adams Inn Gazebo and its downstream terminus is beautiful Squantum Point, where the Neponset River discharges into Dorchester Bay.
The RiverWalk is available for walking, fishing, and biking (bicyclists are not allowed where the RiverWalk narrows alongside Adams Inn).
The Quincy RiverWalk is part of the Neponset River Reservation, which includes Pope John Paul II Park and the Neponset Greenway Trail on the other side of the River. The Neponset Avenue Bridge connects the two, with a handicapped-accessible ramp to the bridge sidewalk just feet from the RiverWalk.
Key features of the RiverWalk:
- A pile-supported gazebo over the River next to the Adams Inn, Café and Pub. This part of the RiverWalk is open from dawn to dusk.
- Neponset Landing Park, including a fishing pier, is open from dawn to dusk. The Neponset River Watershed Association has an easement on Neponset Landing Park to guarantee public access. Parking for this area is available under the Neponset Ave. bridge.
- Billings Creek salt marsh “spur” trail (2/3 mile round trip off the main RiverWalk), with future plans to make it into a circular trail all around the salt marsh. Parking is available across the street from the trailhead on Commander Shea Blvd.
- Natural canoe/kayak launch and landing area. Parking is available on Commander Shea Blvd just before the gates of the Boston Scientific Corp. The launch is 400-500 feet from the parking area.
- Numerous fishing spots all along the shore.
- One of the most beautiful views in the Boston area is at Squantum Point (in DCR’s Squantum Point Park). Connecting walkways from both ends of DCR’s Squantum Point parking lot leads to Squantum Point and the Quincy RiverWalk.
- A short walk or drive from DCR’s Squantum Point parking lot to the bars and restaurants on the Marina Bay Boardwalk.
DIRECTIONS TO THE QUINCY RIVERWALK
Once on the RiverWalk, be sure to look for RiverWalk signs.
From Quincy, take Hancock St. towards Dorchester. Do not go onto the Neponset Ave. Bridge, but stay on Hancock St. to the right. The Neponset Landing Park is on the waterfront next to the Neponset Landing Apartments at 2 Hancock St.
From Dorchester, take either Neponset Ave. or Gallivan Blvd. to the Neponset Ave. Bridge. On the Quincy side of the bridge, stay left to the light.
History of the Quincy RiverWalk Project
The Neponset River waterfront in Quincy was once a vibrant area with numerous marine-related businesses, but by the 1970s and 80s much of it was abandoned and strewn with rubble. Since then, pollution has been dramatically reduced in the River, resulting in commercial businesses and residential development seeking Riverfront locations. Environmentalists then began working to create public access along the River to prevent “privatization” of the shoreline.
- 1994 – The Neponset River Watershed Association successfully nominated the Neponset Estuary as a state Area of Critical Environmental Concern.
- 2002 – A conceptual plan for the RiverWalk was published by the Neponset River Watershed Association and local environmentalists.
- 2004 – The Watershed Association reached a Settlement Agreement with the
developer of the Neponset Landing Apartments at 2 Hancock St., through
which NepRWA agreed to drop its opposition to the construction of the
building in return for the developer’s promise to build an 8-foot-widewalkway on that property as well as on properties owned by Adam’s Inn,
MassDCR and the MBTA.
The developer also agreed to provide a number of amenities, including
benches, lighting, landscaping, and rebuilding of a dilapidated pier. - 2014 – After twelve long years of sweat and tears by the Neponset River Watershed Association and local Quincy citizens, the Quincy RiverWalk officially opened at noon on Tuesday, September 30, 2014.
- 2023 – Since the Riverwalk first opened, there has been a 100-foot long section of the trail that forms an epic puddle for many months each year, leaving most of the Riverwalk difficult to access, and inspiring trail users and fishermen to improvise a series of balance beams from driftwood over the years. To solve this issue, NepRWA staff and volunteers gathered at Squantum Point Park in April to assemble a boardwalk. Click here to read more about the project and view photos.
