Brookline Hosting Reopening Celebration For Carlton Street Footbridge

BROOKLINE, MA — The Town of Brookline is inviting the community to this weekend's celebration of the reopening of the Carlton Street Footbridge.

The event, sponsored by the Department of Public Works (DPW), is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday on the park side of the footbridge, located at the intersection of Carlton Street and Colchester Street.

According to officials, the celebration will feature remarks, a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:15 p.m., music and light refreshments.

Built in 1894, after being designed by town engineer Alexis French, the footbridge closed in 1976 and remained that way for 47 years.

Restoration and construction have taken place over the last two years, and the footbridge reopened to the public on Aug. 11.

The newly rehabilitated footbridge now features accessible ramps, bike runners, lighting and plantings.

Additionally, the footbridge now provides universal access to Riverway Park and a gateway to the Emerald Necklace Parks, which was part of the original vision conceived by Emerald Necklace Parks designer and noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, according to officials.

In case of inclement weather on Sunday, town officials said residents should look at the town website to see if the ceremony is postponed.