BOSTON – The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) celebrated the completion of a $1 million project to restore and improve access to Eliot Tower and Pavilion at Blue Hills Reservation. This project marks a significant milestone in preserving Massachusetts’ cultural heritage and ensuring the urban park and its offerings are accessible to people of all abilities. DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo was joined by Dan Pierce and Roger Cheever, two of great-grandsons of Charles Eliot, the tower’s namesake and the architect of many of Greater Boston’s landscapes, for the ribbon cutting of the newly restored Eliot Tower on Thursday.

“This restoration project highlights the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to preserving Massachusetts’s rich cultural history while ensuring that visitors of all abilities can access our important natural, recreational, and cultural resources,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “This project not only enhances accessibility but also honors the legacy of Charles Eliot, creating inclusive environments where everyone can connect with the natural world around us.”

Located just outside Boston, the Blue Hills Reservation is a vital recreational and educational asset for the Greater Boston and South Shore regions. Stretching over 7,000 acres, including 100 miles of trails, the reservation offers year-round enjoyment for visitors seeking a green oasis in an urban environment that includes swimming, hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The Eliot Tower serves as a gateway to breathtaking views of the Harbor Islands, Boston skyline, Ponkapoag Pond, and Houghton’s Pond. Constructed in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the tower and the adjacent picnic pavilion have long been cherished destinations for local hikers and nature enthusiasts. Over time, the original masonry of the tower deteriorated, prompting DCR’s first comprehensive restoration project to preserve its historical integrity for future generations.

“On behalf of the extended Charles Eliot family we are honored and humbled by his enduring legacy and the passion and commitment of so many others that his short working life inspired,” said Daniel Pierce and Roger Cheever, great grandsons of Charles Eliot. “He would no doubt be thrilled to know that more than 125 years since his passing that everyday people continue to be rewarded by his visionary dedication to the natural environment.”

“The refurbished Eliot Tower provides a spectacular destination for visitors from near and far to enjoy,” said State Senator Walter F. Timilty (D-Milton), whose legislative district includes a portion of the Blue Hills Reservation. “Specifically, for both hikers and nature enthusiasts, this tower offers rewarding views of the City of Boston, Boston Harbor, and surrounding towns. I am very pleased to see funding designated to this historic structure ensuring its use for generations to come.”

“I am excited to see Eliot Tower reopen and welcome hikers once again atop Big Blue. Thank you DCR for your work rehabilitating the tower, a project that will allow visitors to continue to enjoy the history and beautiful views that the Blue Hills Reservation has to offer,” said Representative Bill Driscoll. “We are already planning a family hike with friends to visit the refurbished tower.”

The upgrades to the Eliot Tower were funded through the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Improvements include a full replacement of the building’s mortar, a rebuilt chimney with the original stones, a new bluestone-paved terrace, new informative QR code-equipped signs, an accessible ramp, and improved handrails. These enhancements reflect DCR’s ongoing efforts to create environments where all visitors can freely explore, learn, and enjoy the natural beauty and history of the Blue Hills Reservation. DCR has been selected for a US Climate Reference Network Station, one of only four in New England, which will collect critical climate data starting this fall behind the Weather Observatory at Great Blue Hill. These changes ensure that visitors of all abilities can fully experience the scenic landscapes and educational opportunities offered at the Blue Hills Reservation.

“Questions about the status of the Eliot Tower renovations have been some of the most asked here at the Friends of the Blue Hills. And its temporary closure was certainly felt in our community. So, we are thrilled to see it reopening to the public this summer.  Making the Blue Hills accessible to all is a high priority for us, and Eliot Tower’s improvements are a critical step toward making that vision a reality,” said Jen Klein, Executive Director of Friends of the Blue Hills. “We are excited to work with DCR to continue to steward this special place so the next generation of park visitors can enjoy Eliot Towers’ amazing views of the Blue Hills, beyond the trees, and to the harbor.”