Open year-round, dawn to dusk. Formerly used as a landfill and a drive-in theatre, the site of Pope John Paul II Park was once a barrier between the people of Dorchester and the Neponset River waterfront.

The park now re-connects area residents to the resources of their unique and delicate river estuary by offering picnic facilities, soccer fields, play areas, paths for walking, restored salt marsh, and extensive plantings of native trees and shrubs. The DCR's restoration of the formerly degraded, contaminated site has also benefited area wildlife: black ducks, mergansers, teal, Snowy Egrets, and Great Blue Herons, have been spotted at the park since it opened in June, 2001. Future improvements to the park will add restrooms, a fishing pier, a ranger station, and a link to the DCR's bike path network.

Activities

Bird watching
Spot the ducks, egrets, herons, and other birds that have returned to the park.

All Activities at Pope John Paul II Park Reservation
Hiking
Fishing
Bird watching

Facilities at Pope John Paul II Park Reservation
Athletic fields
Soccer
Picnic areas
Playgrounds
Restrooms