The Blueback Herring River Route development project progresses as scheduled.

By Harry Kane

Conceptual stages of planning remain ongoing for The Blueback Herring River Route.

The pathway connects Foss Park to the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse. The grant was written by Steve Winslow and is now overseen by Green Infrastructure Planner and Conservation Agent, Rachael F. Kelly.

The distance from Foss Park is one sixth of a mile. If you are strolling, it takes approximately 10-15 minutes to make it from point A to point B on the pathway. The route begins on the western side of Foss Park, and travels north to I-93 ending at the Mystic River.

The Boathouse at Blessings Bay received funding from the MET, a total sum of $200,000. The grant money goes towards improved lighting, a renovated parking lot, floating docks, and the development of the new pathway. Twenty-four metal signs will be placed on pre-existing poles. Murals of kids will hang on the overpass at the gateway of the new river route. Transit authority plans to install the murals soon.

At the Thursday meeting representatives from around the city met at The Mystic Activity Center to discuss plans to expand this “pathway program” to other areas of Boston. Joan Blavstein, an area planner at the Land Resources Center, emphasized their intent to expand. “Take that as a model to help other communities to implement additional walking routes to the river.” The city is looking to create pathways to and from the Blessing of The Bay Boathouse to the Ten Hills Neighborhood, the Healey School, and other communal locations. “To take all of our collective efforts in one room is a really exciting thing,” said Lisa Brukilacchio of Cambridge Health Alliance.

MyRWA took control of the logo design for the signage. “We tried to get a uniformed logo,” said Blavstein. “This would be the First Route with signs.” An information kiosk will designate the pathways and the signs would be uniformed to increase connect-ability to the river. “The meeting was fun and interactive,” said Beth (Meserve) MacBlane, the Outreach Coordinator of MyRWA.

When asked about the I-93 overpass, Arn Franzen, Director of Parks and Open Space, spoke bluntly, “It’s clearly an obstacle. You’re going to need additional signage and pedestrian safety signs to get people under 93.”

As the redevelopment continues the main focus remains the utilization of the Mystic River. Pedestrian access to the river grows one pathway at a time.