Beyond the Wall

The Edgewater Drive neighborhood of Mattapan sits alongside the beautiful Neponset River, but you would never know it because access is cut off by a 1/2 mile-long rock wall with just one entrance.

“Beyond the Wall” is a community project that is spearheaded by the Edgewater Neighborhood Association (ENA) of Mattapan, which seeks to improve residential access to the Neponset River.

To gain access, modifications need to be made to the imposing stone wall that was built in the 1930s and serves no apparent purpose. Openings in the wall would allow residents of the area to enjoy the natural beauty of the River and woodlands that are currently inaccessible.

Watch the VIDEO below to learn about the “wall” from ENA organizers, Vivien Morris and Laray Brison. (by Haley Johnson, Ryan Kalayjian, Maura Raymo, Angela Szarek)

To share the video via email or social media, copy https://youtu.be/qs1BFNr6o9s

Beyond the Wall Toolbox

During the spring of 2021, students from the Colleges of the Fenway Environmental Forum (Haley Johnson – Massachusetts College of Art, Ryan Kalayjian – Wentworth Institute of Technology, Maura Raymo – Simmons University, and Angie Szarek – Simmons University) created the following outreach materials to help support the efforts of the Edgewater Neighborhood Association.

Please use these materials and help spread the word!

Logo designed by Haley Johnson, Mass Art

Click on each logo to view individually, then right-click to copy or save.

 

 

 

 

Use the FACT SHEET, below, at meetings, and events. (by Maura Raymos, Simmons University)

Click on the image for the printable file.

Use SOCIAL MEDIA, below, to help spread the word online. (by Angela Szarek, Simmons University)

Click on an image to view individually, then right-click to copy or save – and post to your social media accounts. Use the suggested text if you wish.

Suggested Text:

Increasing access to the Neponset River creates access for community members to explore nature in their own backyard. #BeyondTheWall

Below is the Beyond the Wall poster, presented by the students at the 2021 Muddy River Symposium on April 12. Click to view.

If you have any questions about using the Beyond the Wall outreach materials, please contact NepRWA Outreach Director, Nancy Fyler at fyler@neponset.org