Imagine crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger burying bodies near here. But the real burial ground was actually one mile north of the Neponset River Reservation. This state reservation lies along the Neponset River. It sits in Milton and Dorchester near the river’s mouth at Boston Harbor.
The Neponset River Reservation is next to the Dorchester-Milton Lower Mills Industrial District. Cutshamekin retained some of this land before giving Dorchester and Milton to English colonists in the 17th century.
The Neponset River itself stretches 29 miles. It begins at the Neponset Reservoir in Foxborough. The river meanders northeast to Dorchester Bay between Quincy and Dorchester. It forms Boston’s southern boundary. It also touches Foxborough, Walpole, Sharon, and other towns. The Neponset’s watershed covers about 130 square miles. Around 250000 people live in this watershed.
Native Americans traded furs with English settlers on the Neponset River in 1619. The river powered America’s first grist mill and paper mill. Israel Stoughton built the first dam on the Neponset in 1635 for his grist mill.
In 1639, Dedham settlers built a canal connecting the Charles River to Mother Brook. This increased water flow in the Neponset. Shipbuilding began in 1640. A chocolate mill was established in 1765. In 1826, the Granite Railway made the river its terminus. Early maps sometimes called the stretch from Milton to Dorchester Bay the Milton River.
During Gillette Stadium construction, the river was relocated. In 2022, the EPA added 3.7 miles of the Lower Neponset River to the Superfund program. This was due to industrial pollution.
Today, the Neponset River Reservation is a recreational spot. The former Hallet Street landfill became Pope John Paul II Park. Squantum Point Park was developed as waterfront parkland.
The 2.4-mile Lower Neponset River Trail opened in 2003. It follows the old Dorchester and Milton Branch Railroad. The Quincy Riverwalk path offers views of the estuary and Boston. You can also enjoy hiking and boating here. Free parking is available. The Neponset River Reservation is open from dawn to dusk.
In February 2022, an $8.2 million project began to construct a 0.7-mile shared-use path from Tenean Beach to Morrissey Boulevard. It will connect the Boston Harborwalk. This includes a 670-foot boardwalk in the salt marshes near the National Grid gas tank.
So, as you explore the Neponset River Reservation, remember its rich history. From Native American settlements to industrial innovations, this area has played a significant role in shaping the region.