Press Release  DCR Begins Construction to Improve Access and Safety for Cyclists and Pedestrians, Increase Connections to Open Space on Hammond Pond Parkway

Boston — The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced the start of an $11.3 million improvement project for Hammond Pond Parkway. The project is geared toward enhancing safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists between Beacon Street and Route 9 in Newton.  It will also connect to nearby conservation areas, including Hammond Pond Reservation and the Webster Conservation Area. The project is expected to be completed in 2025.  

“Not only is this project important to the regional transportation network, it helps ensure our parkways provide neighborhoods with safe and accessible connections to economic centers and natural resources,” DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo said. “This project will make this busy road safer for the community while increasing green space for recreation and promoting sustainable transportation.”  

 “We are excited that the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is moving forward with this transformational work to create a true parkway along a heavily used one-mile section of Hammond Pond Parkway between Beacon Street and Route 9 in Newton,” said Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller. “The $11.3 million investment by Gov. Healey and DCR Commissioner Arrigo in Newton improves access into our two largest open green spaces at Webster Woods and the Hammond Pond Reservation, creates a safer and more inviting environment for Newtonians walking, rolling, and biking, adds a lot of plantings, and repaves a heavily worn road surface.” 

Phase 1 of the Hammond Pond Parkway Improvement Project will completely redesign the roadway and surrounding area. The project will reduce the roadway from four travel lanes to two, install updated traffic signals, historic lighting, guardrails, and add new safe crossings at key points, including Beacon Street and primary trailheads, to significantly enhance safety for all road users.  

The project will also create a 12-foot shared-use path on the west side and a 4-foot walking path on the east side of the roadway, ensuring safer access for pedestrians and cyclists. The new shared-use path will be buffered with a 15-foot native planting strip that will contribute to the parkway’s green space. These improvements also include safer and ADA-compliant access, crossings and parking to DCR’s Hammond Pond Reservation and the City of Newton’s Webster Conservation area.  

“Many of us in the community have long advocated improved access for walkers and bicyclists along Hammond Pond Parkway in this beautiful section of the city,” said Rep. Ruth Balser. “I am excited that DCR is moving forward with this plan that will better connect us to our precious conservation areas as well as support climate-friendly transit.”    

“I’m thrilled to see the Healey Administration investing in these improvements to help pedestrians and bicyclists access recreational spaces along the Hammond Pond Parkway in Newton with more ease,” said Sen. Cindy Creem. “These improvements also present an opportunity to encourage greener transportation options that are necessary for meeting our climate mandates.” 

During the project’s design process, DCR engaged with various groups from the surrounding community, including the Newton Conservation Commission, and incorporated valuable feedback from stakeholders, resulting in a project design that meets the neighborhood’s needs while prioritizing conservation efforts and preserving the area’s natural ecology.  

For more information about the Hammond Pond Parkway Improvement Project and ongoing updates, please visit the project webpage.    

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