Ambitious vision becomes reality as Malden River Works nears Phase 1 finish line

By Lorna Garey

After years of planning and some prodigious grant-writing, the Malden River Works project is nearing a major milestone — providing public access to the Malden River right here in Malden, no more need to drive to Everett or Somerville. When Phase I construction wraps up early this summer, the site will feature a nearly 300-foot-long floating dock, a flexible lawn space and a canopy of more than 200 trees as well as many native plants. 

The city’s Department of Public Works (DPW) yard is also seeing improvements to address longstanding flooding issues with a stormwater drainage system and rain gardens to filter water before it reaches the river. To promote an open, welcoming environment, the design omits locked fences between the park space and the DPW, which will fully reopen after construction, according to Rebekah McPheeters, Malden’s sustainability & grants manager.

The project, launched around 2019, was a reach from the start.

“I thought to myself, ‘Wow, that’s a really cool vision. I definitely can get excited about this,” said State Senator Jason Lewis at a public meeting held April 30, 2026, to update the community. “And then I said, ‘These are crazy people. How are they ever going to make this happen?’”

A big part of the answer, according to Steering Committee Chairperson Marcia Manong, is a governance structure centered on a diverse group of community leaders, environmental advocates and government stakeholders. That coalition enabled Malden River Works to raise about $13 million from a mix of federal, state, private and local sources, including nearly $4 million in Mass Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grants and $3.5 million from the Gateway City Parks program. One anonymous donor gave $600,000.

As for construction going forward, Manong stressed efforts to include minority-owned businesses in the work.

“I am hopeful that those in positions of power will explore solutions, such as encouraging joint ventures between established contractors and less experienced minority-owned firms,” she said. “Speaking up and advocating for the revision of exclusionary policies is always the right thing to do, and is essential for future change. Malden River Works demonstrates that there are new ways to approach urban development and community engagement.”

Dust off your kayaks 

Lead architect Marie Law Adams said the 10-foot-wide dock is supported by 90-foot-deep pile foundations, making it a solid structure for launching boats and enjoying the river. The site will feature large granite blocks reclaimed from a dam removal project.

“They’re used to terrace, or step down, the landscape towards the river,” said Law Adams. “They’re really quite beautiful to see in person.”

There will be a publicized launch party for the new park, said McPheeters, who is working with Interim DPW Director Paul Meyers on reopening the facility and will keep the public informed about new schedules.

“It is our intention to bring back all of the services that the DPW offered prior to the start of construction,” said McPheeters. “The layout of the new DPW yard is a little different than before, and as a result, some services, like Styrofoam collection, may need to occur weekly rather than daily.”

While the community anticipates near-term completion of Phase 1, efforts are actively underway to secure funds to complete the vision. In Phase 2, the committee aims to construct a boathouse to support community river access and the Malden High School crew team, alongside a permanent salt shed for the DPW. To close an estimated $3 million funding gap for Phase 2, organizers are seeking a Section 108 loan through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

And Lewis says, even though he’s not seeking reelection, he’ll do what he can to support the project.

“When we’re finished with this phase, the residents of Malden and surrounding communities will have access to a beautiful waterfront park with hundreds of new trees, rain gardens, boating docks, a place for families to just really relax and enjoy,” he said. “Then on to Phase 2, because we won’t be done yet.”

Interested in learning more about the project and the progress of Phase 2 construction? Sign up for the Malden River Works newsletter at https://www.maldenriverworks.org/.