SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR GREENWAY

SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR GREENWAY:

JAMAICA PLAIN, MASSACHUSETTS

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Planted: May 16, 2004

Length: Southwest Corridor Greenway; 4 miles

Difficulty: Easy. Flat, paved trail.

Directions:

From I-95/Route 128 take exit 20A to Route 9 east. Follow for 7 miles and turn right at signs for Jamaicaway (Route 1). Follow Route 1 south for 1.8 miles to the second traffic circle, and then take Arborway (Route 203) east for a tenth of a mile past the Arnold Arboretum. Parking is available here if you plan on finding the Arnold Arboretum Letterbox, otherwise proceed down Arborway and take a right onto Washington Street next to the Forest Hills T-Station. There is a parking lot at the T-station, but I believe it costs money. You can probably find parking along South Street in Arnold Arboretum. See the Arnold Arboretum map below.

From I-93, take exit 15 to Columbia Road west for 2.2 miles to Blue Hill Ave and continue straight across the intersection onto Circuit Drive. This takes you through Franklin Park where the Franklin Park Letterbox is located. Continue for another 1.5 miles to a rotary and take the second exit following a sign for Forest Hills. Not the elevated Arborway or Forest Hills Street. This takes you to the front of the Forest Hills T-Station on your left and the beginning of the Southwest Corridor Greenway Trail on your right. Take the next left down Washington Street where there is a parking lot for the T-station (I believe there is a parking fee) or you may be able to find parking along South Street which is located in Arnold Arboretum.

You may also access the trail via one of the 7 stops along Boston subways Orange Line. For more information about taking your bike on the subway visit; MBTA-BIKE .

There are a total of two Bike It or Hike It Letterboxes located in this area. See also; Arnold Arboretum Letterbox and Franklin Park Letterbox. Check out this link for directions to Franklin Park, Arnold Arboretum or the Charles River Bikeway, all located along the Emerald Necklace Greenway . Starting from the Charles River, the Emerald Necklace is a series of interconnecting parks and parkways created by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1891 that pass from Boston through Brookline to Jamaica Plain. The Muddy Rive Bikeway, Jamaicaway Bikeway and Arborway connect the Charles River Bikeway in the north to the Southwest Corridor Bikeway in the south as well as Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park.

The Southwest Corridor Greenway spans 4 miles of city blocks with a series of lawns, gardens and recreational areas. The greenway parallels a major rail line for Amtrak and includes stops for the Boston subways Orange Line. Its tidiness ranks superior too many other public lands and its location deep in the city make it a valued refuge. It was one of my favorite bike trails, especially when you pass through the South End Historic District, near the Back Bay Area, with its many brownstone buildings and brick lined walks. This greenway is the result of a community triumph. Between the 1950's and 1970's, the railroad and abutting property were destined to become a 12 lane segment of I-95. Homes and businesses were demolished to make room for the highway before the citizens were able to stop the project. The greenway today is home to community gardens, playgrounds and recreation areas, many of which are built on earthen "decks" covering the rail line. Large stone slabs at each T station contain literary excerpts from a range of writers.

Starting from the Forest Hills T-Station; The trail starts across the street from the entrance to the station, next to a sign that reads "Pierre Lallement Bike Path". The bike trail is divided in two, with one side for pedestrians and the wider trail for bikes. Green signs along the route point to the correct side of the path, as they tend to switch sides during the course of the trail. You pass by a play ground and community gardens on your left and the rail line below to your right. After ¾ mile you pass by the Green Street T-Station. You pass by more playgrounds and tennis courts at 1 mile. Stony Brook T-Station at 1 ¼ miles. Jackson Square T-Station at 1 ¾ miles. The trail then narrows as it parallels New Columbus Ave at 2 miles. Roxbury Crossing T-Station sits across from Roxbury Community College at 2.4 miles. You pass between some basketball courts and a large Boston Police Station as you approach the Ruggles Street T-Station at the 3 mile mark. Look to your left to see Northeastern University.

Note; From Ruggles Street T-Station you can access the South Bay Harbor Trail which will take you east to the Fort Point Channel Walk which is part of the Boston Harborwalk .

You soon pass alongside Carter Park with its ball field and tennis courts on your left and Columbus Ave on your right. STOP. When you reach the end of the tennis courts at Camden Street, turn left. Halfway down the street the trail picks up on the other side of Camden Street. Another ½ mile brings you to the Mass Ave T-Station. CAUTION! There is no crosswalk across Mass Ave to reach the trail on the opposite side. There is a cement island separating the traffic, but you may wish to go down the street to access a crosswalk. Look to your left to spot the brownstone buildings on either side of Mass Ave. One has a cooper roof, while the other has a lead roof. Once you've made it to the other side, the trail continues down a ramp to the best section of the greenway, located in the South End Historic District. Here the trail follows a combination of cement and brick surfaces lining a quiet neighborhood of brick row houses. Be sure to take a detour down these narrow streets to check out the buildings. This last ½ mile passes by quaint gardens until the trail ends at Dartmouth Courtyard on Dartmouth Street, right around the corner from Copley Place. Across the street is the Back Bay T-Station.

CLICK HERE FOR SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR MAP

CLICK HERE FOR BOSTON BIKE MAP

BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE

WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER

BIKE IT OR HIKE IT LETTERBOXING

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