The Roslindale Gateway Path Project

Blackwell Footpath passes through an  Urban Wild  within the Arboretum known as Bussey Brook Meadow.

The construction of this accessible shared-use path in 2000 opened new access to the Arboretum for those arriving from the Forest Hills Station or visiting from nearby neighborhoods along Washington Street.

Today, Blackwell Footpath is also an important route for those commuting on foot or by bicycle.

The proposed Roslindale Gateway Path will establish an ADA-compliant, shared-use path connection between Forest Hills Station (via Blackwell Footpath) and the Roslindale Village Commuter Rail Station.

This connection will open new carbon-free transportation options for commuters and those visiting the Arboretum using public transportation.

By connecting the Forest Hills Station and Roslindale Village Commuter Rail Stations, the Roslindale Gateway Path will greatly extend the Southwest Corridor Path System for Boston residents and visitors.

In addition to expanding Boston's carbon-free transportation options, the path aims to establish several new entrances into the Arboretum.

These new entrances will provide direct access to the Arboretum for historically under-resourced residents of communities along Washington Street in Roslindale.

Many neighborhoods along Washington Street represent Environmental Justice Communities. In Massachusetts, this designation is used to indicate that:

- Annual median household income is equal to or less than 65 percent of the statewide median ($62,072 in 2010); or

- 25% or more of the residents identify as a race other than white; or

- 25% or more of households have no one over the age of 14 who speaks English only or very well.

Historically, Environmental Justice Communities are more likely to face health issues caused by environmental pollution and less likely to have access to open green space, essential for health and well-being.

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The first phase of the Roslindale Gateway Path creates a new entrance at the end of Arboretum Road and a pathway connection to Blackwell Footpath through Bussey Brook Meadow.

The new entrance makes use of a Commuter Rail underpass at the end of Arboretum Road.

Shown in this historic postcard, the underpass features a grand stone archway and tunnel, opening to stunning views of Hemlock Hill within the Arnold Arboretum (seen here in the background).

Phase One of the Roslindale Gateway Path project aims to restore the Arboretum Road portal to its former beauty and create a safe, ADA-accessible entrance to the Arboretum.

Use the image slider featured here to swap between the archway in its current state (left) and a rendering of the proposed entrance (right).

(Original rendering by Horsley Witten Group/Halverson Design Partnership)

Phase One will also establish a new shared-use pathway through Bussey Brook Meadow, connecting the Arboretum Road entrance with Blackwell Footpath and South Street Gate.

Boston's Community Preservation Fund and capital budget support construction of Phase One in 2023-2025. Completion is anticipated in late spring 2025. Once complete, Phase One will open access to the northern portion of the Arboretum for thousands of Roslindale residents entering at Arboretum Road.

The second phase of the Roslindale Gateway Path will create an ADA-accessible connection between the Arboretum Road Entrance and the intersection of Bussey Street and South Street.

Currently, the terrain in this area of Bussey Brook Meadow is steep, wet, and largely inaccessible to visitors.

Without a sidewalk or at-grade path, visitors must risk walking along South Street to access the Peters Hill side of the Arboretum.

In 2023, a schematic design and construction budget for the South Street Connector was completed. The design includes an elevated boardwalk structure within the urban wild, connected to the Arboretum Road Entrance by a section of at-grade path.

The South Street Connector will serve as a critical link in the overall pathway system, allowing visitors to pass comfortably over this terrain and experience stunning views of the Bussey Brook Meadow urban wild from amidst the tree canopy.

The curved alignment of the elevated boardwalk will weave between existing trees and complement the contours of the Arboretum's existing path systems.

To maintain the safety of visitors year-round, the boardwalk is set back from the busy roadway, maintaining visitor site-lines and keeping them clear of runoff and snow-throw.

Scenic lookouts will provide opportunities for visitors to take in scenic vistas and tree canopies, read interpretive signage, and learn about the urban wilds.

(Renderings by Practice Landscape)

The boardwalk will be constructed of modular glulam cassettes made from sustainably sourced black locust, one of the most durable hardwoods.

Sitting atop a corten steel substructure, the boardwalk will harmonize with the surrounding urban wild and complement a rustic backdrop.

Construction materials were selected to maximize the durability and lifespan of the boardwalk and minimize maintenance needs.

The third phase of the Roslindale Gateway Path will create an ADA-accessible entrance at the Commuter Rail underpass at the intersection of Archdale Road/South Street, as well as a pathway connection from the new entrance to the intersection of Bussey Street and South Street.

Currently, Roslindale visitors entering through this portal can only access the Peters Hill area of the Arboretum, and must climb granite steps near the Commuter Rail archway to make their way into the park.

The stretch of South Street adjacent to this entrance lacks sidewalks, crosswalks, or any means of traffic-calming, making the area dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.

A vision for a proposed entrance at the intersection of South Street and Archdale Road could transform the existing grand stone archway...

...into a welcoming portal for members of the communities living nearby in Roslindale.

Breathtaking views of Peters Hill would greet those passing safely through the new entrance.

Rendering by Reed Hildebrand

A path from the new entrance to the intersection of Bussey Street and South Street will provide crucial connectivity with the rest of the Roslindale Gateway Path.

In 2024, Nitsch Engineering completed a feasibility study for Phase 3, which included input from the Arnold Arboretum, BTD, BPRD, BPWD, and the MBTA.

Possible approaches include repurposing part of the roadway along this small section of South Street for pedestrians and cyclists.

In addition to establishing critical connectivity, the second alternative would help to reduce traffic safety issues in adjacent neighborhoods, and reduce the need for impactful tree removal and earthworks necessary for creating a path through the Bussey Brook Meadow urban wild.

Once complete, the third phase of the project will improve pedestrian and bicycle access to the Arboretum for thousands of Roslindale residents.

The fourth and fifth phases of the Roslindale Gateway Path aim to establish an ADA-accessible shared-use path through the Peters Hill area of the Arboretum as well as a parcel of land south of the Arboretum owned by the MBTA.

The Peters Hill section will incorporate the existing roadway within Peters Hill as part of the shared-use pathway.

It will also establish a section of accessible shared-use pathway through the crab apple, dawn redwood, and oak collections in the southeast area of Peters Hill.

In 2020, the Arboretum installed a mulch path along the alignment of the proposed Peters Hill shared-use path section.

Once established, the final pathway will open breathtaking views of often-overlooked plant collections on Peters Hill (such as the dawn redwood grove seen in the distance here) and provide opportunities for educational experiences.

The final phase aims to complete the Roslindale Gateway Path system by creating a shared-use path connection through a parcel of land south of the Arboretum owned by the MBTA.

The path will terminate at a proposed portal at the Roslindale Village Commuter Rail station—a critical point of connectivity for commuters and visitors arriving by public transportation.

(Rendering by Horsley Witten Group/Halvorson Design Partnership)

Once complete, the Roslindale Gateway Path project will add to the Arboretum's network of existing paths...