Walnut Street Neighborhood Flood Mitigation Project

PROJECT UPDATE 

SumCo Eco-Contracting mobilized to the site in early November 2024. After installing erosion controls, crews constructed temporary access roads using wooden matting to safely reach sensitive wetland areas.

Debris blocking Sucker Brook and a nearby tributary was cleared using both mechanical and manual methods, improving stream flow and lowering upstream water levels. Natural flow deflectors were installed to stabilize and reshape the streambed, and the stream restoration work is now complete. These improvements have been performing well—helping to keep floodwaters at bay, particularly for homes along Walnut Street and Oak Street. Stormwater is now flowing more effectively through the channels, and stagnant water levels have dropped significantly since the start of the project.

Helical pile installation was completed in early 2025, and the steel structure that will support the pedestrian walkway is now fully in place. The overall boardwalk is taking shape, with much of the major structural work complete, though several important behind-the-scenes components remain before final installation and finishing work can occur.

Crews are also improving the sidewalk approaches on both connecting sides and paving the pathway leading up to the future boardwalk to enhance accessibility.

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PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Walnut Street Neighborhood Flood Mitigation project proposes wetland, stream channel, and streambank restorations to reduce flooding and increase brook capacity in the Walnut Street/Sucker Brook Drainage Area. An elevated boardwalk path is proposed to replace the "school path," which restricts the natural flow of water. The boardwalk will provide an ADA-accessible route connecting neighborhoods along Walnut Street and Stonybrook Road, Bowditch Athletic Field, the Callahan Senior Center, Fuller Middle School, McCarthy Elementary School, and MassBay Community College. The boardwalk will create a space for the community to connect with nature and learn about climate impacts, resiliency, and the benefits of nature-based solutions. 
 
The project also includes robust public engagement efforts, including partnerships with the Framingham High School Environmental Club, Hoops & Homework Youth Program, Danforth Art Museum, neighborhood schools, and the Council on Aging, as well as targeted outreach to various community segments.

WHY IS THE PROJECT NEEDED?

The densely populated Walnut Street neighborhood is recognized and prioritized by the City due to the known historical flooding issues experienced by its residents. 

This environmental justice neighborhood is particularly susceptible to increased impacts from climate change due to its proximity to the Sudbury River, Sucker Brook, an unnamed stream behind Walnut Street, and large wetland areas. Much of the neighborhood is located within the 100-year and 500-year flood zones but is vulnerable to chronic flooding during more frequent storm events.  

The proposed ecological restoration project includes several measures to address chronic flooding experienced by the residents of Walnut Street and lead the city towards preparing for climate adaptation.

These measures include:

1. Stream restoration actions to reestablish flow patterns and form along with removing accumulated sediment and other obstructions within segments of Sucker Brook and an unnamed tributary.

2. Restoring and creating flood storage within the limits of an existing pedestrian causeway with the removal of fill placed in former wetlands, installing an elevated boardwalk to provide safe passage, and restoring habitat and stream connectivity with the removal of fill and chain link fence along the causeway.

3. Construction of a stormwater treatment system for untreated stormwater entering the wetland adjacent to the proposed boardwalk.

Combined these measures are intended to alleviate the current flooding concerns through nature-based solutions, reduce conditions conducive to mosquito breeding, and provide safe conditions for the passage of residents and students along this heavily traveled pedestrian corridor.

PROJECT FUNDING

Questions, comments, or to provide feedback

Email Engineering@FraminghamMa.gov or call 508-532-6025.