Dorchester Greenway
The Dorchester Greenway is a community-led vision for a 0.7 mile long off-road bicycle and pedestrian path on top of the MBTA’s Red Line tunnel, between Ashmont Station and Park Street.
The proposed Dorchester Greenway would extend in both directions from the existing plaza at Shawmut Gardens. With this addition, people would be able to stroll, roll, relax, or gather with friends and neighbors in an expanded, traffic-free, low-stress environment.
The path would be part of the growing network of greenways and Green Links that are accessible to Boston residents. It would also be part of the Emerald Network, a vision led by LivableStreets Alliance (LSA) for over 200 miles of connected greenways throughout the Boston region.
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What's a Green Link?
Green Links are proposed paths that people can use to access Boston's linear parks or "greenways". The goal is to create a network of great walking and biking routes. We want to link people in every neighborhood to high quality parks and green spaces.
Background and Feasibility Study
The idea for a greenway on top of the Red Line tunnel has been discussed by the Dorchester community for over a decade. In 2017, Greater Ashmont Main Streets worked with local designers and community members to create concepts for the greenway to help advance the discussion.
In 2023, the City of Boston in partnership with the MBTA received a MassTrails grant to study the feasibility of the greenway. This includes a structural analysis of the tunnel, and confirmation of land ownership. Assuming the MBTA determines that it is feasible, work will begin to design a low-cost “Quick Build” design, as well as a concept for a long-term plan, in close collaboration with the MBTA and the community. The feasibility study is expected to be completed in June 2025.
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What's a Green Link?
Green Links are proposed paths that people can use to access Boston's linear parks or "greenways". The goal is to create a network of great walking and biking routes. We want to link people in every neighborhood to high quality parks and green spaces.
