OWNERSHIP
CONDITIONS
HISTORY
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
DESIGN ISSUES
PLANNING PROCESSES
TESTIMONIES

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OWNERSHIP:
Metropolitan District Commission (MDC)

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CONDITIONS:
Traffic flow:
The Arborway in this area carries eight narrow lanes of motorized traffic, with four center lanes and two lanes on each side that are adjacent to about two-dozen homes. The speed of traffic on the inner and outer lanes is roughly equivalent. In the middle section of the Arborway, the residential lanes are not used as thoroughfares but rather to accommodate slow-moving traffic associated with residents.

A traffic study done in May 1996 showed that on the Arborway between Centre Street and Pond Street there were a total of roughly 77,000 cars per day. About 20,000 vehicles (26%) traveled on the central parkway of the Arborway while 57,000 vehicles (74%) traveled on the side residential roads of the Arborway.

Lights and sidewalks:
There are sidewalks on both sides of the Arborway. The sidewalks are, in many areas, uneven and difficult to bike on. This is problematic because the Arborway is part of the Emerald Necklace park system and has the potential to be heavily used by cyclists throughout the city.

There are standard streetlights along the Arborway with the exception of one historic streetlight on Murray Circle.

Trees:
This section of the Arborway is dominated by mature oaks that have reached the end of their life expectancy. Not only are these oaks at risk dying and falling from natural causes, the majority have also been physically damaged by fast-moving vehicular traffic over the years (see ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES entry). The road is also dotted with young trees -- about ten between Murray Circle and Pond Street.

Parking:
Parking is prohibited along the western edge of the road, and residents occasionally park on the grassy land along the side of the road. There is space along the edge of Kelly Circle at Jamaica Pond for several cars to park and access the parkland.

Kelly and Murray Circles:
The center of Murray Circle near the Arnold Arboretum is a well-tended oasis of flowering trees and grass. Kelly Circle is smaller but also planted lushly with trees and grass.

Signage:
Although there are no signs for Centre Street, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, or Forest Hills along the Arborway, there are signs for Dedham, Providence, and Route 203 East. There are also signs for institutions in Brookline and Moss Hill, as well as for the Arnold Arboretum, Shattuck Hospital, and Franklin Park Zoo. Highly visible, coordinated MDC signage announces the Arborway and creates a sense of connection between sections of the Emerald Necklace.

There is a sign near Pond Street that shows a picture of a truck with a line crossed through it. According to the Arborway Coalition, some trucks nevertheless do travel on the Arborway. Massachusetts Department of Public Works has signs up for bikers along this stretch of the Arborway.

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HISTORY:
Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed the Arborway as part of the Emerald Necklace park system in the late 19th century (see entry for Arborway (as a whole)). When Kelly Circle at Jamaica Pond was reconfigured in 1943, the new design cut off almost 200 feet of parkland. Some advocates argue that this loss was unnecessary.

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ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:
The oaks along the Arborway are generally in poor condition. Most trees have clearly been damaged by oncoming traffic near the base of their trunks. Many trees have been stapled with thin metal braces and reflectors. The bark of these trees often falls off in hunks. Remnants of car parts can be found up and down the roadway. There are also many trees in poor condition as a result of old age or other factors unrelated to car crashes. They have been pruned over the years and will continue to need pruning as they grow older and become even more unstable and closer to death. Several trees along this stretch have already died, leaving empty holes and piles of sawdust or naked "snags" in their places.

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DESIGN ISSUES:
-- This section of the Arborway is considered by many to be a significant barrier to non-motorized travel on the Emerald Necklace. 

-- Because Centre Street is a major commercial and community center, people often choose to access the Arboretum from here. Coming from Centre Street, a pedestrian must cross five street sections on five crosswalks to reach the Arboretum. Two of these have lit walk signals. The pedestrian's other option is to walk south on the Arborway past the main gate for the Arboretum and to use a quick-response walk signal that will trigger a red light on the Arborway and allow the pedestrian to cross most of the street at once. On the Western side of Murray Circle, pedestrians must use four crosswalks. At Murray Circle there are no lit walk signals. Crossing the second section of the rotary while traveling north on foot is particularly intimidating for the pedestrian because a steady stream of cars coming at significant speeds are constantly flowing through. If it is a period of heavy traffic when there are no natural breaks, pedestrians are forced to walk in front of traffic and trust that the cars will stop.

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PLANNING PROCESSES:
The Emerald Necklace Master Plan (2001) recommends a reconfiguration of Kelly Circle that would reduce the size of the circle. The plan suggests replanting the circle with naturalistic plantings that are consistent with the historic design.

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TESTIMONIES:
"[The Arborway from Kelly Circle at Jamaica Pond to Murray Circle at the Arnold Arboretum] is the largest barrier to non-motorized travel in the entire Emerald Necklace" (Bike Boston)

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