Maintenance Projects

Kelleher Rose Garden

With the addition of a hundred more roses, the ambitious restoration of the historic, Shurcliff-era rose garden in the Back Bay Fens was completed in the spring of 2008. Thousands of new roses have been planted, attractive and informative signs put in place, and all of it lovingly cared for by hundreds of volunteers in the regular Tuesdays with Roses volunteer evenings.

Rose Garden Spring 2009 Photos | Rose Garden Fall 2009 Photos
Rose Garden Fall 2008 Photos

Spring Pond Wildflower Meadow

In collaboration with DCR, our volunteers are maintaining the wildflower meadow where Kelly Rink once stood - pulling out woody plants as they move in. The meadow increases species diversity and provides habitat for butterflies and birds, as well as unique beauty for the enjoyment of park visitors.

Wildflower Meadow Photos

Tree Care

Thanks to generous funding by the Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust, and in collaboration with public partners, the Town of Brookline and the City of Boston, the Conservancy continues to tackle deferred tree maintenance in the Emerald Necklace parks, from the Back Bay Fens, along the Riverway, around Wards Pond in Olmsted Park, continuing to Jamaica Pond Park. This extensive amount of tree care is important to assure visitor safety in the parks, maintain the health of our urban woodlands and preserve wooded habitats and the naturalistic beauty of the wooded portions of the parks.

Winter Tree Pruning Photos

Emerald Necklace Parkway Storm Drains

In 2007 the Conservancy launched an inventory of the parkway stormwater infrastructure, mapping locations where system failures are causing erosion of parkland or sedimentation of the Muddy River. We undertook this collaboration with Charles River Watershed Association to assist DCR in its efforts to upgrade its stormwater system.

Muddy River Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project

The Conservancy continues to play a key role in partnership with Boston, Brookline, the Commonwealth, and the MMOC, reviewing the planning and the long-term commitments of the Muddy River Project. In June 2007 we were a signatory to an agreement creating a cabinet of the five parties. The agreement defines roles and responsibilities during construction, and most importantly, for maintenance post-construction, to ensure the long-term benefits of the project. Phase I - daylighting of the river in the vicinity of the Landmark Center - is set to begin in Spring of 2009.