City of Boston Acquires Property Adjacent to Hyde Park-Roslindale Urban Wild

Nestled between Hyde Park and Roslindale, Monterey Hilltop Urban Wild boasts a steep forested hillside packed with maples, oaks, hickories, and other tree species. These native trees and other plants help stabilize the area’s extreme slope. In the absence of this dense vegetative cover, rainfall would wash away soil and cause damaging erosion. Thanks to City ownership and protection under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, this land will remain undeveloped and continue to provide wildlife habitat and hillside stabilization.

Sweeping views along Beechmont Footway

The City of Boston recently acquired 2.8 acres to add to Monterey Hilltop Urban Wild’s footprint. Most of the newly protected land lies alongside the bottom portion of the hillside. These property acquisitions are essential to the mission of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department's Urban Wilds Program: to protect Boston’s natural areas for wildlife habitat, passive recreation, and climate change resiliency. Scientists have demonstrated how preserving and expanding forest canopy in cities helps to maintain safe temperatures during hot weather, not to mention forests’ production of the oxygen we breathe. Promoting healthy places for people and wildlife helps to create a safer, more resilient, and more liveable Boston.

The Urban Wilds Program needs your help to grow a greener Boston. Fill out our form to express interest in future volunteer opportunities.