The Friends of Brookline Reservoir

The Friends of Brookline Reservoir

Who we are:

We are a group of local residents who recognize the importance of the Brookline Reservoir Park to our community and to the neighborhood wildlife. Established in the mid-1980s, the Friends of the Brookline Reservoir’s mission is to promote enjoyment of this beautiful outdoor space, support the enhancement and maintenance of the park, as well as foster a community of users.

What We Do:

We strive to protect and enhance the integrity of this parkland in service of the public. Collaborating with the Brookline Parks Department, we advocate for the park’s needs and provide financial grants to help ensure its long-term preservation. Some of our activities and initiatives include funding new trees and plants, wildlife monitoring, park cleanups, and community activities in association with the Town of Brookline .

How to Help:

Whether a local resident or park enthusiast, you are welcome to join the Friends of the Brookline Reservoir as a volunteer. Together, we can create a wider community of park users to sustain it as a haven for wildlife and recreation for generations to come!

For more information, please email Kate Anderson at skanderson@rcn.com.

Donations

The Friends of Brookline Reservoir provide financial grants to the Town to help ensure the long-term preservation of the park and to promote park community. In past years, these grants have included funding for new trees and plants, tree pruning, and park community events.

The Friends of Brookline Reservoir is a 501(c)(3) organization. To make a tax deductible donation, use the form, below.

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About Brookline Reservoir Park

Brookline Reservoir Park is located at the western end of the Town Green Area of Brookline, bordered by Boylston, Lee, Dudley, Walnut and Warren Streets. It is the only remaining reservoir in the Town of Brookline.

Facilities:

Over 32 acres in area, the park includes a man made reservoir, wooded areas, open meadows, and a one mile pathway loops around the reservoir. Numerous park benches line the pathways and are located in both sunny and shady areas of the parkland. 

The park is open year round, from dawn to dusk.

The crushed stone reservoir pathway is level, well drained, and averages five feet in width. Perfect for walking and jogging, it is also wheelchair and stroller accessible from Boylston and Dudley streets.

The park is dog friendly as long as owners keep them leashed and pick up after them.

Water fountains, for humans and dogs, are located at the northeast and southwest corners of the park. These operate from late spring through early fall.

A public restroom is located in the gatehouse at the northeast end of the reservoir and is open spring through fall. 

Trash and recycle bins are located at the park exits along Dudley and Boylston Streets.

Habitat:

The park features spring blooming cherry and crabapple trees that line the reservoir pathway, open woodlands, and sloping lawns. Among the mature trees are ash, maple, tulip, oak, sweet gum, linden, elm, tupelo, witch hazel, willow, white birch, mulberry, cypress, horse chestnut and evergreen trees. Grasses and other plantings that thrive in both wet and dry conditions grow in a narrow rainwater retention area along the northwestern edge of the reservoir.

Native waterfowl include Canada geese, mallard ducks, and swans. Bufflehead ducks and Great Blue Heron are sometimes seen in and around the water. 

The reservoir holds seasonally stocked trout, as well as native bass, pickerel, bullhead, perch and eel. Fishing is allowed, but requires a permit from the Brookline Town Office.

River otters, muskrats, deer, raccoons, bats, skunks, squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits are frequent visitors.

Activities:

Activities include walking or running the one-mile reservoir loop, fishing, bird watching, sunbathing, picnicking, and dog walking. 

The park also serves as a favorite gathering spot for friends and families to enjoy the beautiful parkland together.

Map of Brookline Reservoir Park

Google map link: Brookline Reservoir Park Area

Located in central Brookline, on the south side of Boylston Street (Route 9).

MBTA Access: The closest subway stop is on the Greenline D @ Brookline Hills Station, upper right in map. There is a bus stop at the corner of Boylston and Warren Streets, adjacent to the main entrance to the reservoir parkland.

Street parking is often available on Dudley Street, which runs along the southern border of the park.

Online Resources

These websites are a good place to start for information on Brookline park and open space facilities, services, programs and resources.

Town of Brookline Parks & Open Space

Brookline Green Space Alliance

Historic Maps

Town of Brookline, 1844

Cherry blossom icon on this 1844 map is positioned just north of the marshland area purchased by the Boston Water Works and developed to create the City of Boston’s first reservoir.

Brookline Reservoir of Boston Water Works, 1855

Brookline Reservoir of Boston Water Works, 1874

Brookline Reservoir – City of Boston, 1897

Brookline Reservoir Park – Town of Brookline, 1907

Brookline Reservoir Park – Town of Brookline, 1927

Historic Documents

Brookline Reservoir of Boston Water Works – Map, Gatehouse Diagram and Engineer Notes, 1847

Brookline Reservoir Drawing from July 16, 1853 volume of  “Gleason’s Pictorial Drawing Room Companion.”

Brookline Reservoir Park & Gatehouse

From “Ballou’s Pictorial”, vol. 16, 1859

Brookline Reservoir of Boston Water Works, 1875

Source, Line of Supply & Distribution

Presentations of Brookline Historical Society

The Brookline Reservoir & the Cochituate Aqueduct History

The Cochituate Aqueduct, built between 1846 and 1848, brought clean water 15 miles from Lake Cochituate to the Brookline Reservoir for distribution to the City of Boston.

This 2010 presentation by architectural historian Dennis DeWitt is on the reservoir, its historic gatehouse and their role in one of the largest public works projects of its time.

Click on link to view presentation posted on Brookline Historical Society Website:

Brookline Historical Society DeWitt Presentation, March 28, 2010

Preserving the Reservoir

“The Brookline Reservoir, located just west of the Town Green, was built in the late 1840’s as part of the water system bringing water to the Beacon Hill Reservoir from Lake Cochituate. The 30-acre site was purchased for $58,419. The reservoir’s fate hung in the balance when, in 1902, the City of Boston decided to sell it. The threat of development spurred the neighbors to action, and they contributed $50,000 towards the $150,000 needed to purchase the site. This group of concerned citizens included Amy Lowell, John C. Olmsted, Walter Channing, Edward Atkinson, and George Lee.”

From an article on The Town Green by Linda Olson Pehlke which may be found on the Brookline Historical Society Website at https://brooklinehistoricalsociety.org/history/pehlke/towngreen.asp

Brookline Reservoir Park Renovation 2019 – 2020

Brookline Reservoir Park Renovation Project, Completed June 2020

Details of the project may be viewed online: Brookline Reservoir Park Renovation Presentation, October 2018 

Park improvements included:

  • Renovation of historic gatehouse
  • Bringing reservoir dam into compliance with state dam regulations
  • Renovation/repair of walking paths, park entries, and fencing
  • Improvements to accessibility
  • Repair of reservoir masonry
  • Improvements to storm water drainage
  • Removal of invasives
  • Turf, tree and plant improvements

Brookline Invasive Species Guide

A guide book on invasive species in Brookline. These are plants to consider removing from your yard or notifying the Town, if spotted on town-owned properties such as parklands.

Brookline Guide to Invasive Species

  1. Friends of Brookline Reservoir
  2. Donations
  3. About Brookline Reservoir Park
  4. Worth a Visit Anytime of the Year
    1. Spring
    2. Summer
    3. Fall
    4. Winter
  5. Map of Brookline Reservoir Park
  6. Online Resources
  7. Historic Maps
    1. Town of Brookline, 1844
    2. Brookline Reservoir of Boston Water Works, 1874
    3. Brookline Reservoir – City of Boston, 1897
    4. Brookline Reservoir Park – Town of Brookline, 1907
    5. Brookline Reservoir Park – Town of Brookline, 1927
  8. Historic Documents
    1. Brookline Reservoir of Boston Water Works, 1875
    2. Presentation of Brookline Historical Society: The Brookline Reservoir & the Cochituate Aqueduct
  9. Brookline Reservoir Park Renovation 2019 – 2020
  10. Brookline Invasive Species Guide