MYSTIC RIVERBEND PARK

Bringing people together to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate the Mystic River

The Mystic Riverbend Park is located between Locust Street and Riverside Avenue along the river. This revitalized city park was designed to help create a beautiful place that celebrates the Mystic River and the natural environment, evokes the rich history of the site, works with the McGlynn and Andrews Schools and their students, and offers recreational opportunities to visitors.

After two years of work by the Hormel/Mystic River Task Force and the City of Medford, the new Mystic Riverbend Park was officially opened on October 6, 2002. The Task Force included nine Medford citizens who volunteered to represent school children, neighborhood residents, and all visitors. The task force also worked to enhance the natural habitat and to protect river resources.

Many native species with good habitat value have been planted. Native species have better success once established, tend to be low-maintenance and will increase bird population. The large berm near the McGlynn School has been planted with a variety of grasses. This once stark open space is developing towards a natural setting for active and passive recreation.

The trail system and the overlook offer a variety of river and park views and experiences. Paths and greenways were added as neighborhood amenity. A multi-use path along the shoreline continues walkways from McDonald Park and someday will be extended to adjacent MDC land for a connection to Medford Square. The proximity of trails to parking lots, bus stops and train stations allow all users to make convenient connections.

The park celebrates history with several interpretive panels devoted to shipbuilding and the changing river. The panels are positioned throughout the park. Public art is also an important component. The Locust Street entrance is graced with a beautiful bronze medallion created by David Phillips of Medford. At the entrance boaters can use the drop off area to access the paddleboat launch.

The Mystic River has undergone many changes in the past three centuries. Most of these changes have destroyed natural ecosystem in the riparian zone, the water's edge. The wetland shelf, that area closest to the river, has been straightened, lined with riprap (rocks laid along the shore) and ignored leaving a serious reduction in the amount and variety of beneficial vegetation. Not wanting this loss of biodiversity to lead to a sterile environment, a part of the Mystic River's ecosystem was restored to a more natural condition.

The park now includes a wetlands restoration area. As this area matures it will provide an example, and perhaps some lessons, to help us restore even more of the natural shoreline along the Mystic. The park occupies almost a third-of-a-mile of riverfront, approximately 1760 feet of shoreline. It was determined that about 300 feet of shoreline near the north/west end of the Park presented the best opportunity to start this process.