CANTERBURY BROOK
Restoring natural beauty in Mattapan
Reimagining a Buried Brook.
A tributary of Stony Brook, which flows underground through Boston to the Charles River, Canterbury Brook in Mattapan is largely a buried stream, with only one portion above ground.
Flowing inside an artificial channel since the early 1900s, the brook suffers poor water quality from years of neglect, and experiences flooding and habitat degradation. As a result, Mattapan residents see trash, sediment buildup, invasive plants, eroded banks, and episodic flooding, rather than experiencing a wondrous natural area teeming with wildlife and biodiversity.
Many are not even aware that the Brook exists.
What we are doing about it:
CRWA is collaborating with Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center, the City of Boston, and community members to reimagine and restore Canterbury Brook. We are working together to understand community needs, assess stream health, and identify areas for restoration. Goals include reducing flooding, improving stormwater management, connecting the stream to surrounding wetlands, improving water quality and habitat, and providing access to green space.
CRWA kicked off a long-term, community-driven vision plan for the restoration of Canterbury Brook and its surrounding land in September 2025.
The community invited to Chez Vous Roller Skating Rink in Dorchester for a night of rollerskating, pizza, and mutual learning. We received invaluable feedback that will help shape the next steps.
If you’re a community member and would like to share your vision of the restoration process, we encourage you to take the survey and share it with other community members.
