Great Blue Hill Septic System Repla ...

Great Blue Hill Septic System Replacement and Trail Improvements Underway

Septic System Work on the Summit of Great Blue Hill

Work began in July on the septic system and related improvements on the summit of Great Blue Hill. DCR anticipates the bulk of the work will be completed this fall.

  • DCR is upgrading the existing Observatory and WGBH septic system to meet Title V regulations.
  • The project replaces and improves the informal picnic site to meet ADA standards with newpicnic tables and path.
  • The severely eroded Link Trail is rerouted down to the Eliot Circle Trail to meet Forest ServiceAccessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) and reduce erosion.
  • Work on the Radio Repeater Building includes minor improvements to its exterior.
  • The Kite Shed will be rebuilt, to match current grades and will approximate earlier historickite sheds that occupied the site, the 􀏐irst in 1897.
  • A new information kiosk will be installed.
  • Native plants will be planted in disturbed areas, and a rooftop rainwater collection system and cistern will help ensure the plants fare well in this challenging environment.
  • Plans are in the works to renovate the remaining sections of the Eliot Circle Trail in the future,to create a loop trail that meets FSTAG guidelines.

Early kite sheds at GBH used steam driven winches to reel kites in. The early kite shed housed these weather kites vital for collecting weather data, a technique still employed today. The GBH Kite shed was featured in photographs at the 1904 Chicago Worlds Fair.

NOTE:

Closures of certain trails and a small portion of the road near the weather observatory are necessary to allow construction to proceed.

Please adhere to closures, detours & warning signs when encountered for your safety.

Construction vehicles will regularly traverse the GBH Summit Road and we ask you to use caution at all trail crossings and when using the GBH Summit Road.

 

Bridge Path at Base of Great Blue Hill Summit Road

Work has progressed quickly on the construction of a new path between the North Parking Lot near Trailside Museum and the base of the GBH Summit Road.

  • The improvements will provide safe, accessible passage between the parking lot and the base of the Summit Road. It replaces an informal cut thru path that was not planned.
  • The new Bridge Path has a wide FSTAG complaint trail and safe bridge over the drainage channel, and provides safer, better passage than along Route 138.
  • The project will alleviate frequent flooding in that corner of the parking lot- the former entry point.
  • Removal of invasive plants in the work area and new native plants in the project area are included.
  • Work is anticipated to be completed Fall 2025.