The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has fired up a series of construction projects aimed at enhancing the outdoor experience in Boston's Mattapan and Hyde Park neighborhoods. Pulling nearly $9 million from the state's pocketbook, the DCR is rolling out improvements to the trail-laden Edgewater Greenway, as well as injecting fresh vigor into Kennedy Playground and breathing new life into the aging Ryan Bathhouse, according to the Mass.gov official website.

In a statement gleaned from the commonwealth's official news portal, Brian Arrigo, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner, laid out the blueprint. “These projects are an investment in the future of these neighborhoods,” highlighting not just recreational upgrades but also a nod to community, health, and climate resilience. The greenway, a modest half-mile strip running alongside the Neponset River, has been gathering dust for years. Now, an ADA-accessible trail, complete river vistas, and a slew of eco-conscious additions like native plants and raised garden beds are on the itinerary, to the tune of $6 million. Improvements to Kennedy Playground and a facelift for the Ryan Bathhouse, to the cheerful tune of $800,000, complete the picture, as reported by the Mass.gov.

Meanwhile, Hyde Park's Doyle Park won't be left in the dust. It's set to get a $1.6 million makeover. That means out with the old, in with the new, including play lawns, community gathering spaces, and a fresh trail along the river's edge. State Senator Liz Miranda (D-Roxbury) was quoted in the original announcement, touting the importance of these enhancements for "environmental justice communities like ours," as stated by the Mass.gov.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is also floating a future vision for Ryan Park – think updated playgrounds, new basketball courts, and a stage for performances. Back in July 2024, the park already got a shiny new wading pool – a cool $2 million dropped to give families a place to splash away the summer heat. State Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid (D-Mattapan) chimed in, praising the project's boon to "our community's health, safety, and quality of life," as per the Mass.gov.