Restoring Olmsted's Emerald Necklace

"Like a dusty family heirloom, Boston's renowned Emerald Necklace, the oldest public park system in the country, has lost its manicuredluster to decades of benign neglect and overuse. Its rambling meadows, stone bridges, quiet pathways and ponds still provide a restorativeretreat in the midst of a bustling city. But the pastoral landscape that famed architect Frederick Law Olmsted so deliberately constructedto appear natural has evolved into a true wilderness, with invasive plant species treading on carefully cultivated vegetation and accidentaltrees spoiling well-orchestrated vistas.Now, for the first time in nearly 100 years, the necklace's woodlands and waterways are being restored in keeping with Olmsted'spioneering vision. As part of a multimillion-dollar effort, public agencies and private groups together are working on plans to dredge thesilt-filled Muddy River and proceed with what amounts to the monumental weeding of a spectacular urban garden."