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HD 6021

An Act authorizing the city of Boston Department of Parks and Recreation to grant permanent easements over certain land in the city of Woburn and town of Burlington for highway purposes

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Ciccolo and 2 co-sponsors

Boston Parks Department grants permanent highway easements across Woburn and Burlington parkland, potentially reducing recreational space for infrastructure projects.

Senate concurred
0
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Bill Summary · HD 6021

Legislative bill overview

This bill authorizes Boston's Department of Parks and Recreation to grant permanent easements to allow highway construction or improvement projects across parkland in Woburn and Burlington. The easements would give the state or other entities the right to use portions of these parks for transportation infrastructure purposes.

Why is this important

Parks and recreational land are valuable community assets, and permanent easements could restrict public access and limit future park uses. This legislation balances infrastructure development needs against preservation of green space, potentially affecting recreation access for residents in these communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Loss of parkland functionality: Permanent easements may reduce usable park area or create physical barriers that diminish recreational value for local residents
  • Precedent and scope: Authorizing permanent easements could set a precedent for additional infrastructure projects on protected park lands, raising questions about how much parkland is appropriate to dedicate to highways
  • Lack of detail on specifics: The bill's vague language about "certain land" and "highway purposes" leaves unclear which specific parcels are affected, the easement size, and what highway projects are intended

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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