Southwest Corridor Park between Green Street and Forest Hills

Back Bay, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain

HQ bldg address:

38 New Heath St.

Jamiaca Plain, MA 02130

617-727-0057

The Southwest Corridor Park is a 4.7 mile, 52-acre, linear park stretching from the Back Bay to Forest Hills. It links the neighborhoods of South End, Back Bay, Roxbury and Jamaica Plain with a street-level, green open space for parkland and recreation. Approximately a quarter of the parkland is decked over the railroad tracks, providing more space for grass and plantings, and such recreational facilities as 11 tot lot areas, 2 spray pools, 7 basketball courts, 5 tennis courts, 2 street hockey rinks, 2 amphitheatres, and approximately six miles of biking, jogging and walking paths.

History
In the 1950's and 60's, plans were developed for a 12-lane highway along the railroad right of way between Boston and Rte. 128, and on into Cambridge. The residents of the affected areas, including Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, South End, Back Bay, and Cambridge, began community protests and demonstrations against the destruction of their neighborhoods by the planned highway. After hundreds of heated meetings and protests, Governor Sargent scrapped the plans in 1969, and highway funds were used to develop mass transit, open space and recreational facilities. The new, relocated Orange Line and the adjacent Southwest Corridor Park were opened in May, 1987.

Directions:
MBTA: Take the Orange Line to any stop between Back Bay and Forest Hills.