Address: , East Boston
2008 Status: Unprotected
2008 Condition: Intact
Site Size: 171.6 Acres
Click here for the Urban Wilds Glossary.
Description: Wood Island Bay Marsh Urban Wild is an artificial landform of salt marshes and mud flats. Cord grass predominates the Urban Wild providing a good habitat for the harbor’s food chain. Ribbed mussels anchor to the roots of the cord grass. Soft shell clams thrive off dead cord grass washed up in the mudflats and tidal creeks from winter storms. Sea lavender and seaside goldenrod reside on the upper marsh. In low areas in the upper marsh, only pickle weed grows where tides leave salt water to evaporate. At the highest edge of the marsh, a fringe of fine green salt marsh hay grows. Phragmites australis, common reed, grows in disturbed areas above the level of high tide.
Current Use: The Massachusetts Port Authority restricts public access to Wood Island Bay Marsh. However, a small amount of licensed shellfishing is permitted within the marsh.
History: The marshes of Wood Island Bay have developed on the remnants of Wood Island Park. The park, developed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1891, was the pride of East Boston for over half a century, before being leveled for the expansion of Logan International Airport in 1969. Wood Island Bay Marsh evolved due to the changes in topography caused in part by the construction of Runway 22R and Runway 15R in 1947 and 1969 respectively. The sea reacted to these changes and what was once the north beach of Wood Island Park became filled with silt deposits. Over time, saltwater grasses have been able to take root and flourish creating the marsh that exists today. Wood Island Bay Marsh is the third largest salt marsh in Boston after Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston and the Neponset River marshes of Dorchester.
Ward: 01
Site ID: 01-08
Site Owner: Massachusetts Port Authority
Access Points: No public access. Viewable from Short Street, Coleridge Street, and Logan Airport.
Visitation Hours: No hours indicated
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A view to the south from Short Street showing the marsh in the foreground and the flight kitchen of Logan Airport in the distance.
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Signage and overgrown vegetation help to reinforce the fact that Wood Island Bay Marsh is privately owned and off limits to trespassers.
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