Restoration of Chandler Pond
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined Interim Boston Parks Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse, Boston College Vice President for Governmental and Community Affairs Thomas J. Keady, elected officials, and area residents at Brighton’s Chandler Pond on September 2 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of a $990,600 restoration project near BC’s Brighton Campus, made possible in part by the University’s Neighborhood Improvement Fund.
Bordered by Lake Shore Road, Lake Street, and Kenrick Street, the nearly 19-acre park and water body—the last remaining pond of nearly 20 which once dotted Allston-Brighton—consists of pathways, lawn, and wetland areas which serve as a popular spot for walking, birdwatching, and relaxation.
“This celebration not only marks an investment in the pond’s restoration, but an investment in Boston’s community,” said Wu. “I’m proud to work with Boston Parks and Recreation to restore this treasured space for Brighton neighbors and all community members who can enjoy the wildlife, beauty, and recreation at Chandler Pond.”
The event observed the completion of the initial phase of shoreline stabilization and restoration planting—a major milestone in the City of Boston’s Chandler Pond Master Plan—to rebuild its shoreline, improve ecological health, remove invasive species, and add native plantings.
These improvements also lay the groundwork for long-term water quality monitoring, ensuring the pond’s health and resilience for years to come, according to the Friends of Chandler Pond, a non-profit neighborhood group dedicated to preserving the area.
BC Vice President for Governmental and Community Affairs
Thomas J. Keady at Chandler Pond on September 2. (Mike Mejia)
“Boston College is pleased to support the Phase 1 shoreline restoration and accessibility improvements to Chandler Pond, a well-used and loved neighborhood gem, through a $250,000 grant from the University’s Neighborhood Improvement Fund,” said Keady.
BC established the NIF in 2015 to support local projects on public property for which sources of financing may be unavailable or inadequate, including grants to public or private non-profit organizations to implement improvements to parks and open spaces, neighborhood beautification, paths and roadways, public safety projects, and public art.
The design and development of improvements were driven by the Chandler Pond Master Plan as well as community feedback collected during a public meeting held in spring 2023.
“Chandler Pond is one of Brighton’s most treasured spaces and we’re thrilled to celebrate this key step in protecting its ecology and ensuring long-term accessibility,” said Baker-Eclipse. “We’re grateful to the Friends of Chandler Pond, Boston College, our state and federal partners, and the Community Preservation Act for making these improvements possible for all who enjoy this special place.”
“We are deeply grateful to the Boston College Neighborhood Improvement Fund for helping bring the Chandler Pond shoreline restoration to life,” added Candice Dowling, president of the Friends of Chandler Pond. “Thanks to the generosity of the NIF, the Friends of Chandler Pond and the Boston Parks Department, we were able to begin a project to restore and protect a space that has long been a source of beauty, learning, and connection in Boston and to our community. Because of significant delays and cost overruns due to COVID, this project might not have happened without their support.”
The pond, which was excavated in 1855 by William C. Strong for winter ice-making, is named for Malcolm Chandler, also an ice merchant, who purchased it from Strong in 1858. The City of Boston acquired the pond and its surrounding acreage from various owners in the late 1930s.
“I’m proud that at the state level, we have been able to secure funding for this important project,” said Massachusetts House Majority Leader Michael J. Moran (D-Suffolk). “Improving the ecological health and increased visitor access to Chandler Pond is something the Friends of the Pond have been working on for decades. Phase 1 of this project is the first step in maintaining Allston-Brighton’s last surviving pond.”
Noted State Representative Kevin D. Honan (D-Suffolk): “Chandler Pond serves as a vital green space for the Brighton community and is one of our most cherished natural resources. The partnership and Phase 1 of the shoreline restoration commitment between the Friends of Chandler Pond, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, and Boston College ensures the pond remains a thriving habitat and gathering place for generations to come.”