Improvements to Mattahunt Woods
The City of Boston is working on a capital restoration project with site access improvements in Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild.
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Mattahunt Woods comprises over eight acres of secluded forested wetlands in Mattapan. The site provides important wildlife habitat and native vegetation, and mitigates the impacts of stormwater runoff. Site restoration and trail construction began in Summer 2024 in partnership with the Office of Green Infrastructure, Parterre Ecological, and PowerCorps Boston.
4/28/2025 UPDATE: As of April 2025, the project is in the final phase of construction. We anticipate Mattahunt Woods will reopen to the community in late summer 2025 (July or August). Email Catherine McCandless at catherine.mccandless2@boston.gov to be added to a mailing list for updates about a reopening celebration!
SPRING 2025 COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP
In advance of the Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild's reopening later in the summer, join the City for a spring community clean-up event and a preview of the restoration project’s progress.
- WHEN: Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- WHERE: Mattahunt Woods Colorado Street Entrance: 199 Colorado Street, Mattapan, MA 02126
- WHO: All are welcome!
- WHAT TO WEAR: Comfortable close-toed shoes, pants, clothes that can get dirty, a hat that provides shade
- WHAT TO BRING: Bug spray, sunscreen, water
Gloves, tools, and snacks will be provided.
Project Goals
- Remove hazardous trees and invasive species and increase native vegetation
- Preserve and enhance on-site wetlands
- Create a trail system throughout the property
- Improve site access and wayfinding/signage
- Enhance the connection of the property to the nearby Mattahunt Elementary School
PAST ENGAGEMENT
September 2023 Open House
The second community open house was held on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. During this virtual meeting, the project team shared project updates, presented the final design for the site, collected feedback, and discussed next steps for the remainder of the project.
Download the presentation:
View the meeting recording:
May 2023 Open House
The first community open house was held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. During this virtual meeting, the project team shared information about the project process, the existing conditions, and site improvement opportunities, and collected community feedback.
Download the presentation:
View the meeting recording:
Spring Cleanup
Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 1 - 3 p.m.
Residents joined City staff to learn about the ongoing improvements to Mattahunt Woods. Everyone worked together to remove trash and weeds from part of the woodland, making it a healthier and safer place for people and wildlife.
MATTAPAN COFFEE HOUR
Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
City staff tabled at Mayor Wu's Mattapan Coffee hour at Hunt Playground/Almont Park to share information about the project and collect feedback.
COMMUNITY SITE WALK
Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Residents joined the project team for a site walk at Mattahunt Woods to learn more about the existing conditions and discuss improvement opportunities.
VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS
Wednesday, May 10, 2023, from 12 -1 p.m.
Residents joined City staff on Zoom for virtual office hours to ask questions about the Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild Restoration Project.
NOTICE OF INTENT
After a year-long design and community engagement process in 2023, a Notice of Intent (NOI) was filed with the Boston Conservation Commission and approved at the April 3, 2024 public hearing. The NOI includes a project narrative and final plans for the site restoration, trail network, and entrance enhancements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSThe City of Boston manages and takes care of 31 urban wilds across Boston’s neighborhoods comprised of 176 acres. These urban wilds offer natural space for passive recreation and serve as outdoor classrooms for children and adults to learn about nature. They also provide habitat to native plants and animals.
The Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild is owned by the Boston Conservation Commission and maintained by staff from the Parks Department’s Urban Wilds Program.
The Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild was permanently protected in 2008 through a citizen petition.
Urban parks can include both active and passive recreation. Urban parks can include different types of uses, such as playgrounds, athletic fields, public squares, and more. Urban parks can host events and programs, such as fairs, markets, cultural events, music, fitness programs, theater, sports, and more. Urban parks typically include electrical, lighting, plumbing, and irrigation systems.
Urban wilds showcase Boston’s natural features, such as rivers, ponds, woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and rock outcroppings. Urban wilds support plants and wildlife habitats. Urban wilds allow only passive recreation, such as walking, hiking, and nature observation, environmental education, etc. Urban wilds do not include electrical, lighting, plumbing, and irrigation systems.
Urban wilds and wetlands provide many environmental benefits, such as storing floodwater (coastal, riverine, and precipitation-based flooding), filtering stormwater run-off, producing oxygen, improving air quality, and reducing the “urban heat island” effect.” They provide habitat for plants and animals and passive recreation for people to enjoy nature.
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