Pickerel Pond Connector boardwalk opens to the public

The Town of Natick announced Oct. 14 that the Pickerel Pond Connector Bridge project is complete and the floating boardwalk is now open to the public.

The opening was delayed because of a late handrail shipment, according to the announcement.

The area around the boardwalk remains somewhat disturbed from construction. A temporary seed mix will be spread over exposed soil to serve as a cover until permanent restoration plantings can be installed. The town said current temperatures are too cold to complete those wetland restoration plantings successfully this year.

Box stairs that will provide access to the south end of the boardwalk, along with restoration plantings on both sides of the structure, are planned to be finished in the spring of 2027.

The Conservation Commission said it hopes to hold a formal ribbon cutting ceremony and asked residents to watch for a notice about an opening event in the coming weeks.

"We look forward to seeing you out on the trails!" the town said in the announcement.

Source: Town of Natick announcement, October 14, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.