Mary Ellen Welch Greenway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mary Ellen Welch Greenway |
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A part of the path on the Greenway
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Area | 15 acres (61,000 m2)/1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
| Operated by | Massachusetts Port Authority |
| Status | Open all year |
| Public transit access | Maverick Station, Airport Station and Wood Island Station via the MBTA Blue Line |
The Mary Ellen Welch Greenway is a cool park and pathway in East Boston. It used to be called the East Boston Greenway. This special path is built on an old train line that was no longer used.
The Greenway connects many important green spaces in East Boston. These include places like Piers Park, Memorial Stadium, Bremen Street Park, Wood Island Bay Marsh, and Belle Isle Marsh. When it's all finished, the path will be about 3.3 miles long. It's a great place for walking, biking, and enjoying nature!
Contents
History of the Greenway
From Train Tracks to Park
The train line in East Boston was first built for factories and businesses. It was made by a company called the Grand Junction Railroad. Parts of the Greenway run next to the old tracks of another train line. This old line is now the MBTA's Blue Line subway.
After the train company, Conrail, stopped using the tracks, the area became a place where people dumped trash. But in 1978, local people started cleaning it up.
Creating a Community Space
Many groups and people wanted to turn the old train path into a greenway. The Trust for Public Land, a group that helps create parks, worked to get the land. They received 1.2 miles of the path as a gift from Conrail in 1997.
Money from the Massachusetts Highway Department and the EPA helped pay for the big cleanup. A year later, the first part of the path was given to the city.
Building the Greenway
Not everyone in the community agreed with the idea at first. Some local businesses wanted to use the old train route for trucks going to Logan International Airport. But this idea did not get much support.
So, construction of the East Boston Greenway began in 1999. The Greenway officially opened to the public in 2007. It quickly became a popular spot for everyone to enjoy.
Cool Places Along the Greenway
Exploring Bremen Street Park
The Greenway goes right through Bremen Street Park. This park has an entrance to the Blue Line Airport Station. From this station, you can catch free shuttle buses that take you directly to the airport terminals. It's super handy if you're traveling!
Sports and Transportation Hubs
A side path from the Greenway leads to the East Boston Memorial Stadium. This is a great place for sports and outdoor activities. You can also get to the Logan Airport Rental Car Center from here. There's even a special parking area for bicycles at the center.
Historic YMCA Building
Near Bremen Street, you'll find the East Boston YMCA. This building used to be the engine house for the old train line. It was built way back in 1909. It's cool to see how old buildings can be used for new purposes!
Images for kids
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You can park your bike at the Logan Rental Car Center, which is easy to reach from the Greenway.
