Upper Falls Greenway Gallery Upper Falls GreenwaySculpture exhibit, summer 2019Sculpture exhibit, summer 2019A sculpture exhibit called "Beyond Boundaries" is on view. (2018)The Greenway ends at National Lumber.National Lumber rents land from the MBTA that could become an extension of the Greenway.A sign on Needham Street directs walkers to the northern entrance to the GreenwayAn extension of the Greenway could provide a more direct route to Winchester Street, Centre Street, and Newton Highlands. Planned improvements to these streets will provide a more enjoyable route for walkers and cyclists.Avalon at Newton Highlands has installed a gate permitting access to the GreenwayThe junction between the main Greenway and the spur leading to Needham StreetAlong the spur trailThe spur is adjacent to the Newton Nexus parking lotThe entrance to the spur from Needham Street. South Meadow Brook is at left.A panoramic view by Ken Mallory shows the end of the Greenway as it reaches the Charles River. Industrial properties in Needham are at right. (2017)View from the bridgeA guided walk of the Greenway was led by (from left) City Councilor Deb Crossley, Jim Lerner of the Friends of the Upper Falls Greenway, and Dan Brody of the Conservators (photo by Ken Mallory)The Greenway is officially open, and kiosks have been installed at two locations. (2016)The viewing platform at the Charles River is closed as it awaits some reconstruction work.After the orginal contractor stopped work, the Greenway languished for a year. In Fall 2015, the City of Newton stepped in to install a stone dust trail surface and remove the railroad ties.Work remains to be done on the viewing platform over the Charles.2015A school group uses the unfinished trail (2014)The new viewing platform at the Charles......provides a nice view downstream.The upstream view is less scenic......and the view across the bridge into Needham is just plain ugly.Looking down the trail from the bridge.Old railroad ties await removal.The bridge over the Charles is being turned into a viewing platformThe view downstreamThe view upstreamThe view across the riverThe rails have been removed from the Oak Street crossingRailroad ties are being turned into a flower planter just west of Oak StreetBy early June, the tracks and ties have been removed (June 2014)A viewing platform will be built on the bridge over the Charles RiverSome work remains to be done where the trail crosses Oak StreetConstruction resumed in May 2014By December, most of the rails had been removed (2013)Old ties are stacked for removalConstruction began in the fall of 2013 on conversion of the rail line into the Upper Falls GreenwayThe trail is used as a path even before the rails are removedThe rails have been detached from the ties, and await removalThe northern end of the trail, at Easy StreetSpikes and plates are collected for recyclingWill Avalon at Newton Highlands come to regard the trail as an amenity, rather than a hazard to be fenced off?The former Newton Upper Falls Station, built in 1852, is pictured in this 1984 postcard, when the line was still used for freight service. A 1950 view.The building is now the Depot Coffee Shoppe.Looking southwest from Oak StreetAt the Oak Street entrance to the greenwayA steep, eroded path leads down to the Charles River Pathway Conservation Area (Williams-Saco Streets)The Greenway will end at this bridge over the Charles River