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Deer
Island Public Access Area
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
|
Deer Island features five miles of public walkways and trails for walking, jogging, sightseeing, picnicking, fishing and bicycling. The public access area is open to the public year-round, from sunrise to sunset. At Deer Island you'll also find:
- 60 acres of open space, including 2.6 miles of paved handicapped accessible perimeter path;
- A new handicapped accessible fishing pier;
- 10 landscaped overlooks with interpretive signage;
- An Irish memorial;
- An interpretive sign honoring the Native Americans who inhabited Deer Island;
- Dramatic views of the Boston skyline and Harbor Islands;
- Spectacular closeups of airport landings and takeoffs;
- Elevated look-in locations to learn about the treatment plant;
- A memorial to the late Judge A. David Mazzone;
- Low maintenance, native plant species similar to those of other Harbor Islands.
HOW TO GET TO DEER ISLAND
Deer Island, which connects to the town of Winthrop, Masschusetts, is accessible by car and public transportation.
By Car (updated 08/21/20):
- For GPS, the address to use is 190 Tafts Avenue, Winthrop, MA 02152.
- From Boston, the Callahan or the Ted Williams Tunnel, follow Route 1A North, McClellan Highway, until first traffic light.
- Take right on Boardman Street to rotary, go half way around and continue on Saratoga Street
- After passing “Entering Winthrop” sign take first right onto Pleasant Street (Route 145)
- Discontinue following Route 145.
- At “Stop” sign take a right on Shirley Street
- Follow Shirley Street to Elliot Street take a right and follow Elliot Street around to the left.
- Take a right on to Tafts Avenue and follow to the end. (Please note the speed limit is 20 MPH)
- Parking for public alkways are offered at the head of the island. Please obey all parking restrictions and do not park within the Winthrop neighborhoods.
- For visitors of the Teatment Plant, please proceed past the visitor's parking lot and check in at the staffed Security Gate. All guests must be pre-registered to gain entrance to the plant.
Printer-Friendly Driving Directions (PDF)
By Public Transportation: The Town of Winthrop Chamber of Commerce website includes information about Town of Winthrop bus services to Deer Island.
VISITING AND LEARNING ABOUT THE PLANT
Tours are offered on Tuesdays and Fridays only. Prior reservations are required for all tours of MWRA facilities. Please see important security information below.
Group tours
We welcome visits from professional groups, civic clubs, and especially interested MWRA customers. Reservations and I.D. are required.
The MWRA generally offers tours of Deer Island each month from April through November beginning at 9:30 a.m. when there are people signed up. Tours are offered on Tuesdays and Fridays only, with reservations at least two weeks in advance. School groups and larger groups should make arrangements at least a month in advance. Deer Island is a large, industrial complex, so children 12 and under are not allowed due to safety concerns. Upon reserving a tour, visitors will receive a security form.
Important Security Information
Domestic visitors are required to complete and submit their form to MWRA Security 7 days in advance of their tours. International guests are required to submit their completed forms 14 days in advance, along with a copy of their passport.
Age Restrictions
Our tours take visitors to the heart of a working treatment plant filled with heavy machinery. For the safety of our visitors and our staff, we must restrict our tours to students in Grade 7 or above. Those interested in visting the plant with children in grades 6 or below are encouraged to try our Deer Island Scavenger Hunt.
No Pets Policy
NO PETS are allowed on facility tours. Only service animals trained to perform a specific task for the benefit of a person with a disability are permitted.
Reservations
To reserve a group or individual tour, please contact our Deer Island Tour office by phone: (617) 660-7607, or email: Nadia.Caines@mwra.com.
BOSTON HARBOR ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK AREA
MWRA’s Deer Island and Nut Island public access areas are part Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area, a diverse collection of 34 islands. More details on the park can be found at www.bostonislands.com.
Updated June 2, 2023