Mystic River Watershed Association Projects
Check out our past and present projects around the watershed →
On-the-Ground Projects
Click on a pin to read more about that project or scroll through them all!
Clippership Connector
Clippership Connector. Click to expand.
This half-mile waterfront path will connect more than 10 miles of contiguous greenways and provide a safe and scenic route between Medford Square, Andrew/McGlynn Schools and Riverbend Park. The path, which has begun construction, will allow people to walk, run, bike, and push strollers along a section of the river that, to date, has been blocked from public access.
Blessing of the Bay Park
Blessing of the Bay Park. Click to expand.
Redesign for this 5-acre park identifies amenities like new paths, docks and public art that will transform Somerville’s waterfront. The first phase, including trees, improved paths and benches, was built in 2020 and a native meadow was planted in 2022. More improvements are to come.
Malden River Works
Malden River Works. Click to expand.
Malden River Works is a coalition of community leaders of color, youth, environmental advocates, and government officials working to create a new waterfront park with a boathouse, docks, flexible lawn and hundreds of trees and native plantings. Design and permitting will be complete in 2023; capital funding is not yet secured. This is part of the larger Malden River vision plan — of connecting paths along the entire river.
Malden Trash Trap
Malden Trash Trap. Click to expand.
This trash capture device, located at the top of the Malden River, catches trash inputs from a large part of the City of Malden.
Little Mystic Channel Park
Little Mystic Channel Park. Click to expand.
A community-driven effort to connect Charlestown residents to expand recreation, access to nature, social gatherings, and climate resiliency. A new community path and waterfront connections will be built with guidance from a robust community design process.
Mill Brook/Wellington Park
Mill Brook/Wellington Park. Click to expand.
Wellington Park, located along Mill Brook in Arlington, has undergone a multi-year revitalization. New amenities — a boardwalk, natural play area, walkways, signage and native plantings — have opened up and restored a hidden waterfront, connecting people to the water.
Draw 7 Park
Draw 7 Park. Click to expand.
A new path connecting Assembly Row with Route 99/Sullivan Square opened in 2022. DCR is leading a redesign of the adjacent 9-acre Draw Seven Park.
Rivergreen Park
Rivergreen Park. Click to expand.
Restoration of the shoreline of the Malden River in Everett is well-underway, with the removal of invasive plants, the planting of a native meadow, and a walking trail along the river.
Gateway Park
Gateway Park. Click to expand.
We are working with the City of Everett to restore wetlands at this important riverside park. This project will increase flood storage, improve water quality, and enhance recreation along the Mystic River.
Extreme Heat Participatory Action Research Study
Extreme Heat Participatory Action Research Study. Click to expand.
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and Everett Community Growers (ECG) were awarded a U.S. EPA Environment Justice grant to study residents' experience with extreme heat and develop resident-led solutions in Everett. The project included a Public Health Assessment of Everett and a series of workshops with residents.
Mystic River Crossing
Mystic River Crossing. Click to expand.
The two largest developments on the Mystic River, Assembly Row in Somerville and Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, are planned to be the landing points for the river’s first-ever pedestrian and bicycle bridge. This link will provide a safe, car-free route to access riverfront destinations and create a regional connection from the North Shore to Boston via the Northern Strand and planned Rutherford Avenue Greenway. The project's design is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for construction in 2024.
Lexington Constructed Wetland
Lexington Constructed Wetland. Click to expand.
The Mystic River Watershed Association in partnership with the Town of Lexington are enhancing open space, the path and trails system, and expanding wildlife habitat. These improvements will also provide cleaner water by filtering pollutants out of rain and snow melt before they reach the nearest river or stream; as well as providing flood storage during larger rain events.
Reading Constructed Wetland
Reading Constructed Wetland. Click to expand.
Reading’s 19-acre Maillet, Sommes & Morgan Conservation Land was chosen as one of the top sites for design, funding, and construction for a constructed wetland. When this project is complete, it will manage stormwater flooding and pollution going into the headwaters of the Mystic River, improve wildlife habitat, and create new walking trails and other park amenities to help people stay cool during increasingly hot summers. Funding has been secured and construction began in 2023.
Stoneham Constructed Wetland
Stoneham Constructed Wetland. Click to expand.
Design is ongoing for a wetland restoration behind the new Stoneham High School which will provide increased flood storage, ecological function, and improved water quality.
Woburn Heat & Flood Resilient Park
Woburn Heat & Flood Resilient Park. Click to expand.
A community-led visioning process of the former Hurld School and neighboring Hurld Park has been underway, as MyRWA and the City plan to improve flood storage, ecological function, and both active and passive recreation at the site.
Davidson Park
Davidson Park. Click to expand.
We are working along with the Town of Winchester to explore improvements to the ecology and passive recreation at Davidson Park.
Shaker Glen
Shaker Glen. Click to expand.
Wetland and stream restoration are coming to Shaker Glen in Woburn. Stay tuned!
Belle Isle Marsh
Belle Isle Marsh. Click to expand.
Belle Isle Marsh is the largest remaining salt marsh in Boston Harbor. Along with the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, The Nature Conservancy, and MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, we are looking at ways to protect Belle Isle Marsh as open space for communities, a home for wildlife, and a nature based solution to climate change.
Mill Creek
Mill Creek. Click to expand.
We’re working with the City of Chelsea and GreenRoots at Mill Creek to increase flood resilience, restore salt marsh, and improve open space amenities. Current initiatives include removing a berm to restore tidal flow and supporting GreenRoots in their effort to acquire a 17-acre parcel for affordable housing and a resilient community waterfront.
Island End Park
Island End Park. Click to expand.
The Island End River is a small tidal tributary off of the Mystic River close to where it empties into the Boston Harbor. As the City of Chelsea works to address coastal flooding through a redesign and improvement of the Island End River Park, the City is also focused on providing equitable waterfront access to its diverse communities, placemaking and enhancing the natural shoreline.
Scalley Dam
Scalley Dam. Click to expand.
Each year, we work with volunteers to monitor the number of river herring that make it into Horn Pond as part of their annual migration. We are currently working with the City of Woburn on an improved fish passage at Scalley Dam to increase the number of herring that can access this spawning habitat.
Mystic Lakes Dam
Mystic Lakes Dam. Click to expand.
At the Mystic Lakes Dam, we work with volunteers to monitor the river herring and American eel migrations every year. Along with volunteers and artist Yetti Frenkel, we also maintain a mural of the Mystic River watershed that is located next to the Dam.
Water Chestnut Removal
Water Chestnut Removal. Click to expand.
Volunteers hop in canoes to help remove water chestnut, an aquatic invasive plant that spreads over the river surface, crowding out the native plants, altering water chemistry, and hindering recreation.
Riverbend Park
Riverbend Park. Click to expand.
We are working with volunteers to remove invasive bittersweet vines along this waterfront park.
Macdonald Park
Macdonald Park. Click to expand.
Macdonald Park is one of the largest riverfront parks in Greater Boston, providing residents in Medford, Somerville, Malden, and Everett with recreational opportunities in and along the Mystic River. While the park is an important asset, it has not received the investment needed for ongoing maintenance and improvements. MyRWA and DCR are partnering to reverse this trend to make this a vibrant riverfront park that is an environmental and recreational hub for local communities.
Rain Gardens
Rain Gardens. Click to expand.
MyRWA has worked with the Town of Arlington to install three rain gardens at the corners of Herbert Rd. & Egerton Rd., Milton St. & Herbert Rd., Milton St. & Brooks Ave. These rain gardens will help collect stormwater runoff and reduce phosphorus pollution in Alewife Brook, thereby improving water quality.
Trash Booms
Trash Booms. Click to expand.
MyRWA uses floating booms to study trash density coming from stormwater outfalls on the Mystic River. By examining how much trash is collected at different locations, we can better understand where trash in the river is coming from.
Mystic Valley Parkway
Mystic Valley Parkway. Click to expand.
We're working towards a safe, off-road walking and biking route along Mystic Valley Parkway in Arlington, Medford, Somerville and Winchester.
Wellington / Route 28 Underpass
Wellington / Route 28 Underpass. Click to expand.
A proposed boardwalk under Route 28 in Medford will connect the paths along the Mystic River, specifically Torbert MacDonald Park, Station Landing/Wellington T-Station and the Wellington Greenway.
Clippership Connector
This half-mile waterfront path will connect more than 10 miles of contiguous greenways and provide a safe and scenic route between Medford Square, Andrew/McGlynn Schools and Riverbend Park. The path, which has begun construction, will allow people to walk, run, bike, and push strollers along a section of the river that, to date, has been blocked from public access.
Blessing of the Bay Park
Redesign for this 5-acre park identifies amenities like new paths, docks and public art that will transform Somerville’s waterfront. The first phase, including trees, improved paths and benches, was built in 2020 and a native meadow was planted in 2022. More improvements are to come.
Malden River Works
Malden River Works is a coalition of community leaders of color, youth, environmental advocates, and government officials working to create a new waterfront park with a boathouse, docks, flexible lawn and hundreds of trees and native plantings. Design and permitting will be complete in 2023; capital funding is not yet secured. This is part of the larger Malden River vision plan — of connecting paths along the entire river.
Malden Trash Trap
This trash capture device, located at the top of the Malden River, catches trash inputs from a large part of the City of Malden.
Little Mystic Channel Park
A community-driven effort to connect Charlestown residents to expand recreation, access to nature, social gatherings, and climate resiliency. A new community path and waterfront connections will be built with guidance from a robust community design process.
Mill Brook/Wellington Park
Wellington Park, located along Mill Brook in Arlington, has undergone a multi-year revitalization. New amenities — a boardwalk, natural play area, walkways, signage and native plantings — have opened up and restored a hidden waterfront, connecting people to the water.
Draw 7 Park
A new path connecting Assembly Row with Route 99/Sullivan Square opened in 2022. DCR is leading a redesign of the adjacent 9-acre Draw Seven Park.
Rivergreen Park
Restoration of the shoreline of the Malden River in Everett is well-underway, with the removal of invasive plants, the planting of a native meadow, and a walking trail along the river.
Gateway Park
We are working with the City of Everett to restore wetlands at this important riverside park. This project will increase flood storage, improve water quality, and enhance recreation along the Mystic River.
Extreme Heat Participatory Action Research Study
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and Everett Community Growers (ECG) were awarded a U.S. EPA Environment Justice grant to study residents' experience with extreme heat and develop resident-led solutions in Everett. The project included a Public Health Assessment of Everett and a series of workshops with residents.
Mystic River Crossing
The two largest developments on the Mystic River, Assembly Row in Somerville and Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, are planned to be the landing points for the river’s first-ever pedestrian and bicycle bridge. This link will provide a safe, car-free route to access riverfront destinations and create a regional connection from the North Shore to Boston via the Northern Strand and planned Rutherford Avenue Greenway. The project's design is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for construction in 2024.
Lexington Constructed Wetland
The Mystic River Watershed Association in partnership with the Town of Lexington are enhancing open space, the path and trails system, and expanding wildlife habitat. These improvements will also provide cleaner water by filtering pollutants out of rain and snow melt before they reach the nearest river or stream; as well as providing flood storage during larger rain events.
Reading Constructed Wetland
Reading’s 19-acre Maillet, Sommes & Morgan Conservation Land was chosen as one of the top sites for design, funding, and construction for a constructed wetland. When this project is complete, it will manage stormwater flooding and pollution going into the headwaters of the Mystic River, improve wildlife habitat, and create new walking trails and other park amenities to help people stay cool during increasingly hot summers. Funding has been secured and construction began in 2023.
Stoneham Constructed Wetland
Design is ongoing for a wetland restoration behind the new Stoneham High School which will provide increased flood storage, ecological function, and improved water quality.
Woburn Heat & Flood Resilient Park
A community-led visioning process of the former Hurld School and neighboring Hurld Park has been underway, as MyRWA and the City plan to improve flood storage, ecological function, and both active and passive recreation at the site.
Davidson Park
We are working along with the Town of Winchester to explore improvements to the ecology and passive recreation at Davidson Park.
Shaker Glen
Wetland and stream restoration are coming to Shaker Glen in Woburn. Stay tuned!
Belle Isle Marsh
Belle Isle Marsh is the largest remaining salt marsh in Boston Harbor. Along with the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, The Nature Conservancy, and MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, we are looking at ways to protect Belle Isle Marsh as open space for communities, a home for wildlife, and a nature based solution to climate change.
Mill Creek
We’re working with the City of Chelsea and GreenRoots at Mill Creek to increase flood resilience, restore salt marsh, and improve open space amenities. Current initiatives include removing a berm to restore tidal flow and supporting GreenRoots in their effort to acquire a 17-acre parcel for affordable housing and a resilient community waterfront.
Island End Park
The Island End River is a small tidal tributary off of the Mystic River close to where it empties into the Boston Harbor. As the City of Chelsea works to address coastal flooding through a redesign and improvement of the Island End River Park, the City is also focused on providing equitable waterfront access to its diverse communities, placemaking and enhancing the natural shoreline.
Scalley Dam
Each year, we work with volunteers to monitor the number of river herring that make it into Horn Pond as part of their annual migration. We are currently working with the City of Woburn on an improved fish passage at Scalley Dam to increase the number of herring that can access this spawning habitat.
Mystic Lakes Dam
At the Mystic Lakes Dam, we work with volunteers to monitor the river herring and American eel migrations every year. Along with volunteers and artist Yetti Frenkel, we also maintain a mural of the Mystic River watershed that is located next to the Dam.
Water Chestnut Removal
Volunteers hop in canoes to help remove water chestnut, an aquatic invasive plant that spreads over the river surface, crowding out the native plants, altering water chemistry, and hindering recreation.
Riverbend Park
We are working with volunteers to remove invasive bittersweet vines along this waterfront park.
Macdonald Park
Macdonald Park is one of the largest riverfront parks in Greater Boston, providing residents in Medford, Somerville, Malden, and Everett with recreational opportunities in and along the Mystic River. While the park is an important asset, it has not received the investment needed for ongoing maintenance and improvements. MyRWA and DCR are partnering to reverse this trend to make this a vibrant riverfront park that is an environmental and recreational hub for local communities.
Rain Gardens
MyRWA has worked with the Town of Arlington to install three rain gardens at the corners of Herbert Rd. & Egerton Rd., Milton St. & Herbert Rd., Milton St. & Brooks Ave. These rain gardens will help collect stormwater runoff and reduce phosphorus pollution in Alewife Brook, thereby improving water quality.
Trash Booms
MyRWA uses floating booms to study trash density coming from stormwater outfalls on the Mystic River. By examining how much trash is collected at different locations, we can better understand where trash in the river is coming from.
Mystic Valley Parkway
We're working towards a safe, off-road walking and biking route along Mystic Valley Parkway in Arlington, Medford, Somerville and Winchester.
Wellington / Route 28 Underpass
A proposed boardwalk under Route 28 in Medford will connect the paths along the Mystic River, specifically Torbert MacDonald Park, Station Landing/Wellington T-Station and the Wellington Greenway.
Regional Initiatives
Click the eye icon to toggle layers on and off. Scroll to the bottom of this page to learn about each regional initiative.
Baseline Water Quality Monitoring
Since July 2000, MyRWA has been monitoring trends in water quality with the help of a dedicated corps of volunteers. Water samples are collected from fifteen sites across the watershed and are analyzed for: Bacteria: Enterococcus or E. coli; total suspended solids; nutrients: nitrate-nitrite, total phosphorus; conductivity; dissolved oxygen; water temperature and water color and odor.
Road Salt Monitoring
Road salt contains chloride, a pollutant that can create stress and toxic environments for freshwater organisms, from fish to dragonfly larvae to native plants. MyRWA and six other watershed organizations have created the Eastern Massachusetts Water Quality Monitoring Coalition that will focus on collecting and submitting chloride data to MA-DEP to better understand the drivers of high chloride levels in our water systems. MyRWA has deployed conductivity loggers in eight individual bodies of water within our watershed to collect these data.
Air Quality Monitoring (CLEANAIR)
MyRWA was funded by the EPA to pursue a three-year air quality study: Community-led Improvement of Air Quality and Health in the Lower Mystic (CLEANAIR). We will monitor air quality at community-identified locations in Everett, Malden, Charlestown, and East Boston; some of the most burdened communities by transportation-related air pollution and disease in Massachusetts
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)
Combined sewer systems in the MWRA system, Cambridge, Somerville, and Chelsea discharge sewage directly into the Alewife Brook and Mystic River — these discharges impact public health, and the overall habitat quality. MyRWA is directly engaged to influence the decisions and investments being made for the Long-Term Control Plan II. This plan will create the benchmarks for engineering and investments that will reduce or eliminate these discharges during the next 20-30 years. The scale of investment that will occur over this period will be hundreds of millions of dollars.
School Partnerships
Our partnerships with local schools and universities lead students to discover attributes of their local ecosystem thorough watershed educational programming focused on water, local biodiversity, and the intersection of people and natural systems. We connect classroom science content to place-based, real-world ecological issues right outside the door. Are you connected to a school in the Mystic River watershed? We'd love to partner with you!
Visual Trash Assessments
The Mystic River Watershed Association began conducting visual trash assessments in 2018 to study the sources and composition of trash in our watershed. Each year since, we have worked with volunteer scientists to collect data about the amount of trash on the street. Municipalities we have studied so far include Medford, Malden, Somerville, and Everett.
Stormwater Infiltration Trenches
MyRWA has worked with municipalities to build 98 stormwater infiltration trenches to reduce phosphorus pollution entering our waterways. After initial success of these trenches in Arlington and Lexington, more trenches are on the way with 60 set for installation in Arlington, Medford and Winchester in the next two years, and 250 more being sited in the communities of Arlington, Cambridge, Lexington, Medford, Melrose, Everett, Reading and Woburn.
Stormwater Education Collaborative
The Mystic River Stormwater Education Collaborative is a group of 13 towns and cities in the watershed dedicated to the common goal of reducing stormwater pollution, the primary source of water pollution today.
Resilient Mystic Collaborative
The Resilient Mystic Collaborative is a partnership among neighboring communities in Greater Boston’s Mystic River Watershed working to protect our people and places from climate-intensified risks.
Wicked Hot Mystic → Wicked Cool Mystic
To help communities identify and prioritize dangerously hot neighborhoods, the Museum of Science, Boston (MOS), Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), Resilient Mystic Collaborative (RMC), and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) worked with volunteers to measure air temperature, humidity, and particulate matter across the 76-square-mile Mystic River Watershed. ‘Wicked Hot Mystic’ used the data collected to create watershed-wide relative heat maps. These maps will be used to develop and implement extreme heat resilience strategies during the next phase of the project, 'Wicked Cool Mystic.'
Covid-safe Cooling Grant Program
Supported by the Barr Foundation, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) have awarded over $1 million in covid emergency funding over 2020-2023. Ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, the awards fund projects and programs designed to mitigate extreme heat impacts that have been exacerbated by COVID-19’s uneven burden on some of the region’s most diverse and economically disadvantaged communities.
EPA Steering Committee
The Environmental Protection Agency's Mystic River Watershed Initiative is a stakeholder-driven, collaborative effort with a mission to restore water quality and environmental conditions in the Mystic River watershed and to create and maintain open space and public access through safe public pathways and access points. The Initiative is guided by a steering committee composed of many local organizations including not-for-profit community groups, municipalities, and state and federal agencies.