May 2018 Neponset River Greenway News

Join us at our next meeting on Wednesday May 2 at the Milton Yacht Club, 25 Wharf St. in Milton.
Our meetings are usually held on the first Wednesday of the month at rotating locations in communities of the Lower Neponset: Hyde Park, Milton, Mattapan, and Dorchester.
Follow us on Facebook to keep up between meetings.
The issues on which we are working are in the agenda for this meeting at http://www.masspaths.net/neponset/council/agenda20180502.pdf

Future Greenway Council meetings
June 6, 2018               Hyde Park Police Station, Hyde Park
July 11, 2018               Port Norfolk Yacht Club
August 1, 2018            Foley Senior Residences, Mattapan
September 5, 2018      Milton Yacht Club, Milton

Along the Trail:

Barbara Baxter of Hyde Park Died April 24
From Martha McDonough: It is with such a deep sadness that I am reporting the passing of Barbara Baxter, today.  I am ever so grateful for her friendship and her help in all areas Hyde Park/Readville.  This is Hyde Park’s Celebration for its 150 anniversary.  Who better to celebrate than Barbara Baxter?   She so wanted to see the Hyde Park Portion of the Neponset River cleaned-up, the Lewis Chemical Brownfield resolved, the Tileston Hollingsworth Dam PCB’s taken care of,  the Factory Hill Community Garden expanded, the traffic problems in Readville resolved and the large development plans for Readville/Hyde Park to fit within the recently  rezoned areas without the zoning board of appeals allowing all violations be accepted because the old BRA and the Mayor thought they were great ideas.  How about talking to the residents that would be impacted enormously…???   Let’s find a political way to immortalize Barbara’s legacy…  She cared so much,  she worked tirelessly, even though it impacted her health…  She also loved all flowers and plants.  Let’s plant up a storm of blooms throughout Hyde Park and Readville in her memory forever…

From Jessica: Here are a couple of pictures from the 2004 Neponset RIver Festival at Martini Shell, which Barbara (on the left) worked tirelessly to make part of the life and history of the Neponset River Greenway.


Trail Opening Saturday, May 12, 2018!
Join Mattapan and Milton in celebrating the official opening of the trail segment connecting the two communities, as well as completing the trail from Dorchester to Hyde Park. There will be a family walk/ride of the new section of the trail starting at noon, with the official ceremony at the Harvest River Bridge at 1:30 (probably).

Join NepRWA at the Neponset River Cleanup on April 28
It's time to help cleanup and beautify our storm weary coastline. The winter of 2018 has wreaked havoc on many communities, as evidenced by the numerous images on television and social media.  On a local level, while planning for our Annual Spring Cleanup, we’ve discovered areas along the Quincy RiverWalk and Neponset estuary that are in desperate need of TLC.  Can you help with the cleanup? Bring a friend or two. Organize a group of co-workers. Come and make new friends! Whatever time you can give is much appreciated!
Register today at www.neponset.org/cleanup/

• Friday-Saturday, April 26-27: New England Bike Walk Summit
  (Vivian, Lee, and Jessica will be leading a tour of our trail for attendees)
   
• Saturday, April 28, 9:00am-Noon: DCR Park Serve Day Neponset River Spring Cleanup with the Neponset River Watershed Association, (781) 575-0354
   
• Saturday, April 28, 1:00-3:00pm: Boston Nature Center Bioblitz - A family-friendly event where participants will Identify as many plant and animal species on the property.  The information will be submitted as part of the City Nature Challenge, (617) 983-8500
   
• Saturday, May 5, 9:00am-Noon: Friends of the Dedham Heritage Rail Trail Bike Ride
  15-mi ride starts at the Martini Memorial Shell Park
   
• Fri-Sat, May 11-12: Mass Audubon's Bird-a-thon
  Participants will compete to identify the most bird specials in a 24-hour period. 
   
• Saturday, July 14, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Neponset Riverfest, Neponset Landing Park
   
• Saturday, July 21: Mattapan on Wheels
  (The long ride gets this view from Chickatawbut Road)