Mattahunt Woods Improvements
On Friday, October 24, 2025, the City of Boston held a ribbon cutting and community celebration for the completion of the Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild Restoration Project with the Mattapan Community. Thank you to everyone who made this project possible!
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Mattahunt Woods consists of over eight acres of secluded forested wetlands in Mattapan. The site provides important wildlife habitat and native vegetation, and mitigates the impacts of stormwater runoff, but had become degraded over time. The City launched a capital improvement project in early 2023 to study the site, engage the Mattapan community to inform the project, and design a new trail system and other site improvements. Project goals and outcomes include removing hazardous trees and invasive species and increasing native vegetation; preserving and enhancing on-site wetlands; creating a trail system throughout the property improving site access and wayfinding/signage; and enhancing the connection of the property to the nearby Mattahunt Elementary School. Site restoration and trail construction began in Summer 2024 in partnership between the City of Boston's Environment Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Office of Green Infrastructure, and PowerCorps Boston. The project completed in Fall 2025.
PAST ENGAGEMENT
RIBBON CUTTING AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Friday, October 24, 2025, from 1 - 3 p.m.
The City of Boston announced the reopening of the Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild in Mattapan at a ribbon cutting and community celebration following a three-year restoration effort. The urban wild is now open and accessible to all, with new entrances, multi-lingual signage, bike racks, benches and an accessible trail network, as well as substantial ecological restoration that included removing trash, treating invasive plants, and planting native vegetation.
SPRING 2025 CLEAN-UP
Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 10 - 12 p.m.
In advance of the Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild's reopening in the fall, volunteers joined the City for a spring community clean-up event and a preview of the restoration project’s progress. During this event, City staff guided participants on a sneak peak tour of the restoration project and then worked with volunteers to remove any lingering trash/debris in the property.
September 2023 Open House
The second community open house was held on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. During this virtual meeting, the project team shared project updates, presented the final design for the site, collected feedback, and discussed next steps for the remainder of the project.
Download the presentation:
View the meeting recording:
May 2023 Open House
The first community open house was held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. During this virtual meeting, the project team shared information about the project process, the existing conditions, and site improvement opportunities, and collected community feedback.
Download the presentation:
View the meeting recording:
Spring 2024 Clean-up
Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 1 - 3 p.m.
Residents joined City staff to learn about the ongoing improvements to Mattahunt Woods. Everyone worked together to remove trash and weeds from part of the woodland, making it a healthier and safer place for people and wildlife.
MATTAPAN COFFEE HOUR
Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
City staff tabled at Mayor Wu's Mattapan Coffee hour at Hunt Playground/Almont Park to share information about the project and collect feedback.
COMMUNITY SITE WALK
Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Residents joined the project team for a site walk at Mattahunt Woods to learn more about the existing conditions and discuss improvement opportunities.
VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS
Wednesday, May 10, 2023, from 12 -1 p.m.
Residents joined City staff on Zoom for virtual office hours to ask questions about the Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild Restoration Project.
Project Goals
- Remove hazardous trees and invasive species and increase native vegetation
- Preserve and enhance on-site wetlands
- Create a trail system throughout the property
- Improve site access and wayfinding/signage
- Enhance the connection of the property to the nearby Mattahunt Elementary School
NOTICE OF INTENT
After a year-long design and community engagement process in 2023, a Notice of Intent (NOI) was filed with the Boston Conservation Commission and approved at the April 3, 2024 public hearing. The NOI includes a project narrative and final plans for the site restoration, trail network, and entrance enhancements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSThe City of Boston manages and takes care of 31 urban wilds across Boston’s neighborhoods comprised of 176 acres. These urban wilds offer natural space for passive recreation and serve as outdoor classrooms for children and adults to learn about nature. They also provide habitat to native plants and animals.
The Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild is owned by the Boston Conservation Commission and maintained by staff from the Parks Department’s Urban Wilds Program.
The Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild was permanently protected in 2008 through a citizen petition.
Urban parks can include both active and passive recreation. Urban parks can include different types of uses, such as playgrounds, athletic fields, public squares, and more. Urban parks can host events and programs, such as fairs, markets, cultural events, music, fitness programs, theater, sports, and more. Urban parks typically include electrical, lighting, plumbing, and irrigation systems.
Urban wilds showcase Boston’s natural features, such as rivers, ponds, woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and rock outcroppings. Urban wilds support plants and wildlife habitats. Urban wilds allow only passive recreation, such as walking, hiking, and nature observation, environmental education, etc. Urban wilds do not include electrical, lighting, plumbing, and irrigation systems.
Urban wilds and wetlands provide many environmental benefits, such as storing floodwater (coastal, riverine, and precipitation-based flooding), filtering stormwater run-off, producing oxygen, improving air quality, and reducing the “urban heat island” effect.” They provide habitat for plants and animals and passive recreation for people to enjoy nature.
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