Dedham Greenspace Coalition Launches to Protect Town's Greenspace & Natural Resources

Dedham, MA – A new community-driven initiative, the Dedham Greenspace Coalition, has been formed with a mission to “advocate for Dedham’s Greenspace, Trails, and Natural Resources – together.” The coalition will host its inaugural public meeting on Thursday, October 23rd, 7pm at TLC Studios and Media Lab, 390 Washington Street, Dedham.

The Dedham Greenspace Coalition seeks to protect, conserve, and enhance public open spaces and natural areas through advocacy, community engagement, and partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, and businesses. Modeled after successful greenspace coalitions across the Commonwealth and the U.S., the group will work to improve environmental health, biodiversity, and community well-being for current and future generations. Coalition goals include:

• Expanding and protecting Dedham’s parks, trails, and natural areas.
• Advocating for policies supporting long-term stewardship of greenspace.
• Fostering equitable access to nature for all residents.
• Enhancing environmental quality and biodiversity.
• Promoting health, recreation, and social connection through outdoor spaces.
• Building partnerships with local and regional stakeholders.
• Securing sustainable funding for green space initiatives.

Dedham’s natural treasures—including the Town Forest, Dedham Water Trails, Wilson Mountain, and Mother Brook Historic Walking Trails—will be central to the coalition’s focus. Future projects such as the Route 1 Riverway Trail, Dedham Rail Trail and the Wigwam Pond Public Access and Recreation Plan will also stand to benefit from coordinated research, planning, advocacy and community support.

The coalition will work closely with the Town of Dedham’s related boards and committees - including the Planning Board, Master Plan Implementation Committee, Open Space Committee, Sustainability Advisory Committee, Parks & Recreation, and Conservation Commission, alongside civic and community partners including Dedham Land Trust, Dedham Natural Wonders, Dedham Biodiversity Day, Dedham Cycle Club, Sustainable Dedham, Fairbanks Garden Club, Dedham Civic Pride, Mother Brook Community Group, Dedham Square Circle, Manor Neighborhood Association, Oakdale Square Alliance, Riverdale Neighborhood Association, to name just a few stakeholder groups. Engagement with local leaders such as Dedham’s Tree Warden Joe Flanagan, State Rep. Paul McMurtry and Senator Mike Rush, as well as regional organizations like the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) and the Neponset Greenway, will further strengthen impact.

The Coalition’s efforts will be guided by decades of planning, including the Sustainable Dedham Climate Action & Resiliency Plan, and Town Dedham’s Master Plan also now known as Designing Dedham 2035..

“Communities across the country have shown how powerful greenspace coalitions can be in protecting natural resources and ensuring equitable access to nature,” said Paul Reynolds, former two-term member of the Dedham Select Board and co-founder of the Dedham Greenspace Coalition. “Dedham has extraordinary natural assets—from our trails and waterways to our forests and open spaces—that make our town more livable, healthy, and connected. There are already many groups working on various aspects of that vision - but by uniting as a mission-driven coalition, we can accelerate that progress to ensure a greener, healthier Dedham for generations to come.”

For more information, updates, or to get involved, join the Dedham Greenspace Coalition Facebook page: /dedhamgreenspace - or attend the inaugural meeting on Thursday, October 23rd at TLC Studios and Media Lab, 390 Washington Street, Dedham.