Fuller Brook Park Preservation
Wellesley, Massachusetts
BETA collaborated with the Town of Wellesley to restore and enhance the historic Fuller Brook Park, a beloved 23-acre linear park stretching for 2.5 miles through the heart of town along portions of Fuller Brook and its tributary Caroline Brook. The park was established at the turn of the 20th century with two goals in mind: to improve the drainage of flood-prone areas and to provide parkland near the center of town. Serving as Wellesley’s most popular and well-used public open space, the park is enjoyed not only by the 7,500 residents living within walking distance but also by many more who visit by car or bicycle.
Keeping in mind the original goals of the park, BETA designed a project with several components, including trail rehabilitation, streambank stabilization and restoration, invasive plant removal, and stormwater improvements, such as a new wet meadow and bio-retention features. Additionally, BETA aimed to preserve and enhance the naturalistic character of the park by enhancing views of historic bridges and other natural features, preserving and restoring the existing tree community, and enhancing native plant diversity and vegetation cover. BETA also designed five raised walkways to carry a multi-use path over streams, wetlands, and areas subject to flooding.
BETA assisted the Town in obtaining permits from regulatory agencies such as the Army Corp of Engineers, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Town’s Protection Committee. To gain community approval and funding, BETA conducted an extensive public outreach process, which included four formal public meetings, on-site meetings with stakeholders and residents, and biweekly meetings with the Town’s coordination committee during the two-and-a-half-year design process. This effort culminated in a presentation to Town Meeting for the approval of funding for this $5.5 million project, followed by a successful construction phase.
Fuller Brook Park has now been restored to its former glory with significant improvements, providing a beautiful and naturalistic multi-use path for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.
