Sherrin Woods receives $250K grant

HYDE PARK - Mayor Martin J. Walsh has announced the award of $250,000 from a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant for the environmental restoration of the Sherrin Woods Urban Wild in Hyde Park. The LWCF is a federal grant program administered by the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the National Park Service.                                               

"We are pleased to receive this grant to improve one of our natural areas that makes our city so livable and resilient," said Mayor Walsh. "We always welcome working with the National Park Service, the state Environmental Affairs Office and our communities to keep our neighborhoods green and healthy."

Sherrin Woods Urban Wild, a 24-acre natural area, is located in Hyde Park in southwestern Boston. It is primarily a wooded upland with two wetland areas and a large ledge outcropping, making for a varied natural landscape within a highly dense, urbanized neighborhood. According to Boston Parks Commissioner Chris Cook, the property was acquired in the early 1980s with help from a prior LWCF grant. 

"This new LWCF grant will improve existing features of the site and add new features to make it more usable," Cook said.  "For the first time, the City will formally invest in new trails and trailheads to improve its access and usability by the public, create a signage and wayfinding system to encourage users to explore the extensive trail system and install seating at scenic overlooks."

The project will create a new recreational opportunity that aligns with the natural features of the site by installing two climbing areas at Pine Rock, the prominent ledge outcropping on the site. The City will also install new plantings for wetland restoration that will enhance the wildlife habitat and ecological functioning of the two wetland areas in this project site. 

The community surrounding Sherrin Woods has participated in meetings and events at this site for several years. The Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation (SWBCDC) has partnered with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department to engage the community to better use this valuable resource. The SWBCDC has funded summer youth crews for improvement projects under the guidance of the City's Urban Wilds Manager Paul Sutton.

"Based on input from these community meetings, the project is incorporating elements preferred by the public," Sutton said. "A full community process with enhanced outreach will follow in the months to come with the selected project design consultant."