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Unlocking the Blue Hills; Bus Access to Green Spaces in Mattapan

Published October 29, 2024



This past week, MFFC brought the community together for a fun fall event in the Blue Hills!


The Blue Hills, located just south of Mattapan, hosts beautiful trails, ponds, and even networks for biking. Stretching over Quincy, Dedham, Milton, and Randolph, residents from all over Boston travel to escape the busy life of Boston. The hills are known for their views over Boston and miles of trails. In the fall, the views of fall foliage are especially shocking.


While many Mattapan residents know that the Blue Hills are accessible by car, many don’t know about the 716 bus. The 716 bus goes from the Mattapan North Busway down to Cobbs Corner. Riders can get off on the 6th stop at Canton Ave Trailside Museum, directly in front of the park entrance. 


To raise awareness of the 716 bus, MFFC hosted a hike in the Blue Hills. We took the bus from Mattapan to the Trailside Museum, where we got off and were met with tons of community organizations handing out free merch.


Surrounded by the bright colors of the trees, we hiked straight in. While walking through the trees up to the view of Boston, residents laughed and shared excitement for the coming holidays. After the hike, a low-impact workout, refreshments, and a salad demo awaited the hikers. 



Although we had so much fun getting to know more residents, this event served as a reminder of the importance of public transportation. Access to the 716 bus enabled us to gather as a group and easily access blue and green spaces that are necessary for the community's physical and emotional health. Residents of all neighborhoods deserve direct access to parks and ponds. Let’s take full advantage of our access while continuing to advocate for necessary changes. We hope you take a ride to the Blue Hills on the 716 bus while it’s still warm — you might see some of the MFFC team while you’re there!


 

Help the MBTA understand how you use bus routes 712, 713, 714, and 716. By completing a short survey, you enter for a chance to win a free monthly LinkPass for unlimited travel on local buses


Find the survey here.


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