MassPaths

Beyond the Greenway II:
Neponset Trail to Downtown Boston
10:00 am, Sunday, October 26, 2008

This ride looks at connections between the Neponset River Greenway, downtown Boston, the Emerald Necklace and the Southwest Corridor. The ride starts and ends at Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester, heading north to Fort Point Channel at the edge of downtown Boston, following the route of the South Bay Harbor Trail to Mass. Ave., and then heading back through Dorchester.
[Photos from this ride]
Someday the Harborwalk will really connect to downtown boston

Details

  • Where: Meet at the Hallet St. entrance to Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester.
  • When: Departing at 10:00 am, Sunday, October 26, 2008
  • Distance: 18.5 miles.
  • Pace: Medium, averaging less than 10 MPH, counting stops.
  • Terrain: Mostly flat.
  • Route: Mixture of on-road (50%) and shared-use path (50%).
  • Leader: Doug Mink

Maps and Cue sheet

 route map

Getting There

Bicycle

Ride south on Morrissey Blvd. to Neponset Circle and turn right on Gallivan Blvd, then left on Hallet St. to park, or go south on Dorchester Ave., left on Adams St. at Fields Corner, then straight onto Granite Ave., turning left on the Neponset Trail before crossing the river, or simply follow the Neponset Trail from the west.

MBTA

There is no easy way to get to the start on public transit, though you could take the Red Line to Fields Corner and follow Adams St. south

Car

Take the Neponset Circle exit from the Southeast Expressway southbound. There is a parking lot inside the park at the end of Hallet St.
Click for Google Maps

Bailout points

You can turn around at Columiba Point. The closest T station to most of the ride is Umass on the Red Line, but it can be a hike.