Stony Brook Reservation Resource Management Plan

Adopted by the DCR Stewardship Council on August 8, 2008

Stony Brook Reservation, which was established in 1894, is one of the first five reservations acquired by the Metropolitan Parks Commission. It constitutes the largest forested open space in the City of Boston, and offers an exceptional trail network as well as a variety of athletic fields and recreation facilities. As one of the original Metropolitan Reservations, Stony Brook is regarded as special and highly significant in terms of its historic, natural, and recreational resources.

Project Summary

The RMP designates Turtle Pond and the adjacent forests and wetlands east of the Enneking Parkway as “Zone 1,” the most restrictive of the Land Stewardship Zoning categories applied to DCR properties. This area was designated as Zone 1 to protect known habitat of a State-endangered species of wildlife. Mother Brook Reservation, at its junction with the Charles River, has also been designated Zone 1. This designation was made because the area falls within Rare Species of Wetland Wildlife, as identified by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Several of the RMP’s recommendations address the conservation of rare species and their habitats, as well as a variety of other natural resources.

RMP documents

Stony Brook RMP (Final)
Executive Summary
RMP Maps
Orthophotography
Regional Land Use
USGS Topo Map
Regional Open Space
Water Resources
Priority Natural Resources(Figure 2.5.2)
Cultural Resources
Demographics
Active Recreation Areas
Infrastructure(Figure 2.8.1)
Trails
West District
Land Stewardship Zoning
Recommendations

Public process

A public comment period on this RMP ran from February 20 – March 28, 2008; an associated public meeting was held on March 11. This RMP was submitted to DCR’s Stewardship Council on May 15, 2008, and was adopted by the Council on August 7, 2008.