At a Glance

West Roxbury, located in Boston’s southwest corner and bordered by Roslindale and Hyde Park, was founded in 1630 and annexed by the City of Boston in 1874. Like its bordering neighborhoods, West Roxbury saw major residential growth when the Boston and Providence Railroad began construction.

Today, West Roxbury is a suburban neighborhood in an urban setting, characterized by tree-lined streets and single family homes. Residents enjoy easy access to Downtown Boston via the Needham Line of the Commuter Rail and MBTA buses. 100-acre Millennium Park, to the west, offers miles of trails and a canoe launch for the Charles River. Part of 475-acre Stony Brook Reservation borders West Roxbury to the east, offering twelve miles of hiking trails as well as fishing and swimming at Turtle Pond. A number of smaller parks dot the neighborhood between these two large green spaces.

West Roxbury’s main commercial district extends along Centre Street, including restaurants, shops, and banks. West Roxbury Main Streets supports local business owners. Sugar Bakery and VA Boston Healthcare System are two well-known tenants of the neighborhood.

Want to learn about and share your ideas on planning and development in your neighborhood? Email our Community Engagement team at PlanningEngagement@boston.gov to learn about upcoming engagement opportunities. For information about planning context, zoning, or Planning Department processes, please contact [email protected].