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Jul 25, 2023

Transforming Spectacle Island from dump to dazzling

After being cleaned up, the island opened to the public in 2006. After being

After being cleaned up, the island opened to the public in 2006.

After being cleaned up, the island opened to the public in 2006.

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After being cleaned up, the island opened to the public in 2006.

Cleanup of the once-polluted waters of Boston Harbor revived interest in and opened access to the 34 harbor islands.

Spectacle Island was once a polluted mountain of trash. Big Dig dirt — more than 4,000 barge-loads of it — was used to cap the island. The state planted more than 2,000 trees and 26,000 shrubs in fresh soil. Spectacle opened to the public in 2006 and is one of the harbor island's crown jewels.

The Boston Harborwalk is a 43-mile linear park that winds from one end of the city to another and ensures public access to the waterfront.