Muddy River (Massachusetts)
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The Muddy River is a series of brooks and ponds that runs through sections of
The river flows from
History
In its natural state, the outlet of the Muddy River into the tidal Charles was much wider. It formed the eastern Brookline border with Boston and Roxbury (depending on the year), from Brookline's incorporation in 1705 until Boston's annexation of Allston–Brighton in 1873.[1]
The present form of the river and surrounding parks was created by the Emerald Necklace project, between 1880 and 1900. Under the direction of designer Frederick Law Olmsted, the project reclaimed marshland, creating sculpted and planted riverbanks.
The Muddy River is mentioned by John Winthrop in his diary as the site of an unidentified flying object in March 1638 or 1639, as described to him by witness James Everell.[2][non-primary source needed] This event is considered by some[who?] to be the first recorded instance of such occurrences.[citation needed] John Hull and Judith Quincy Hull owned the property. Judge Sewall came into possession of this tract, which embraced more than 350 acres, through Hannah Quincy Hull (Sewall) who was the Hull's only daughter. John Hull in his youth lived in Muddy River Hamlet, in a little house which stood near the Sears Memorial Church. Hull removed to Boston, where he amassed a large fortune for those days. Judge Sewall probably never lived on his Brookline estate.[3]
Restoration
The restoration is currently[as of?] being run by The Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (MMOC), which is an “independent citizen-led oversight body for the Muddy River Restoration Project,”[4] The master plan was originally pushed by the Boston's Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency among others. United States Army Corps of Engineers was allowed to study the Muddy River thanks to the Water Resources Development Act of 1996[5]
Phase 1 of the project aimed to create new river crossings, clearing things that blocked sunlight to the river, as well as
References
- ^ See map at File:Dorchester 1858.jpg
- ISBN 9780674484269. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
- ^ "The Sewall House". Proceedings of the Brookline Historical Society. January 28, 1903.
- ^ Brady, Tom. "The Muddy River: A Century of Change" (PDF).
- ^ "New England District > Missions > Projects/Topics > Muddy River". www.nae.usace.army.mil. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ Gershwin, Fran. "Update on the Muddy River Restoration Project" (PDF). National Association for Olmsted Parks.
- ^ a b c "Parks Department proposes Phase 2 of Muddy River project – Mission Hill Gazette". missionhillgazette.com. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ "Muddy River Project Restoration Overview". Retrieved 2019-11-20.