Members of various Hyde Park community groups gather in front of the new mural at Doyle Park.

Upcoming Events

Sun., May 6 from 11 am – 2 pm
940 River Street, Hyde Park (street parking is available)

Celebrate the revitalization of a new public park along the Neponset River.

Learn about EPA’s Superfund process and the vision of an accessible riverfront for all.

Food, music, and kids’ activities provided.

This is a FREE public event.

For more information or any questions, please email NepRWA Greenways Manager, Andres Ripley, at ripley@neponset.org

Sponsored by the Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA), Southwest Boston CDC, East River Neighborhood Association, and Hyde Park Central River Neighborhood Group, and the Lawrence and Lillian Solomon Foundation.

Doyle Park Project

Background

Doyle Playground, now referred to as Doyle Park, runs along the Neponset River in Hyde Park. It has been in disrepair for a few decades and many nearby residents don’t know that the overgrown, uninviting space once was a community playground.

A New Park Design in the Works

• Since 2017, Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation (SWBCDC), the Solomon Foundation, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), POWHER (People of Hyde Park Wanting Equal Representation), East River Street Neighborhood Association, and NepRWA have worked together on a plan to turn the space that was once Doyle Playground into a new park, called Doyle Park.
• In 2018, new park designs were drafted, and through strong advocacy from neighbors and community groups, DCR committed to funding the design and construction of the park.

To start the improvement process, DCR hired Offshoots, Inc. to finish the draft park design. Offshoots incorporated many features that community members asked for, such as new trees, benches, a stage, and a walking path along the River. The plan also incorporates native plants and natural filtration solutions to address the stormwater runoff that enters the Neponset River.

• In February 2022, key neighborhood stakeholders were presented with the new draft plan.
• On April 13, Offshoots plans to present the most updated plans to the public for feedback.

During the redesign process, the following events were held to make Doyle Park more inviting:

• Multiple cleanups to remove old fencing and litter.
• Mural painting by artists on a concrete wall in the park.
• A “Doyle Park Celebration Day” in 2021, where local community members were invited to visit the park, enjoy music, food, yard games, and more!

NepRWA is excited to be working in partnership with the community groups in Hyde Park and DCR on the Doyle Park project. We look forward to getting more people connected with the Neponset River in an area where river access is lacking.

For more information, contact NepRWA Greenways Coordinator, Andres Ripley, at ripley@neponset.org