Jamaica Pond Public Access

We continue to move forward with plans to facilitate public access to Jamaica Pond, which include new cross walks at the Jamaicaway at Eliot Street, Parkman Drive at Kelley Circle, and Parkman Drive at the Parkman Memorial. Along with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Emerald Necklace Conservancy has elicited community input on the project to identify locations that will best serve pedestrians and bicyclists seeking access to the pond.

Of the three proposed alternative crossing routes, the Eliot Street location was awarded construction priority. Although the crossing project faced a minor setback with the expiration of the old design contract, it has now resumed under a new contract with the same design consultant. DCR is currently completing the permitting and design process for the three crossings.

Following July meetings with Massachusetts Historic Commission, Boston Landmark Commission, and Boston Conservation Commission, DCR will open bidding on the project and anticipates signing a construction contract in late September. A pre-construction meeting will be held with the community before breaking ground in the fall. Completion of the project is estimated during spring 2011.

The Eliot Street crossing will not only allow for safe passage of park-goers, but further advances Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision of a park system accessible to all of Boston’s citizens. We appreciate your continued interest and support as we continue our efforts to make the parks safer and more accessible for all.

Previous Actions:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy held a public meeting on July 1, 2009 to discuss the design of Jamaica Pond Access Enhancements.

The audience included nearly 50 members of the public who had the opportunity after the presentation to give their input on the proposed designs. The presentation of the alternatives is available to view or download at: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/parkwaysmaterials.htm.

Funding for the project is made possible by DCR and the Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Fund. The access project is the result of community advocacy over many years working with the Conservancy, DCR and State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez. We are especially grateful to Sarah Freeman and the Arborway Coalition as well as Gerry Wright and the Friends of Jamaica Pond, John Iappini and the Jamaica Pond Association, and Andrea Hawley and the Jamaica Hills Association for their efforts to seek community input and to DCR for their response to community concerns.