Welcome to the future
Chelsea Creek Sanctuary
Returning the Forbes Site to the Community
Mass Audubon, GreenRoots, and The Neighborhood Developers are united in a vision to transform this long-neglected property into a new urban sanctuary that addresses significant community needs: access to the Chelsea waterfront and much-needed open space, a climate-resilient waterfront park that can adapt to rising waters, affordable homes, access to community services and nature-based programs, and a place to create positive public connections for generations to come.
About the Project
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Project Updates
Mass Audubon has already begun taking steps to enhance safety measures. Stay up-to-date on progress and future plans.
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Community Input
The partners will hold community meetings to gather input on what programs and recreational features Chelsea residents would like to enjoy at the site.
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Site History
The former site of the Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing Company, the property is rooted in Chelsea history. We look forward to what comes next.
FAQs
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No, the property is not currently open to the public and hasn’t been for decades; but the goal will be to transform the site into a community asset for all to enjoy
Our first priority is public safety. Therefore, the site cannot be open to the public until it is fully safe to do so.
The existing buildings have been abandoned for many years and are dilapidated to the point of being dangerous. One was partially destroyed by a fire in 2024. The fact that hazardous materials were not removed by the previous owner all adds up to making the property unsafe for the public at this time.
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Community input is helping to shape the vision for the future use of the property. The three partners are committed to transforming a long-neglected waterfront property into a broadly accessible, climate-resilient park, mixed-income housing, and community amenities along the Chelsea Creek waterfront.
Our plans will provide access to Chelsea Creek and Mill Creek, offering trails and other recreational opportunities on the waterfront for the community to enjoy. We envision a nature and community center that will offer educational programming and provide space for community gathering. And the planned residential development on the highest point of the property will provide people with a safe and affordable place to live.
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The project timeline is still fluid, but demolition of the existing buildings and debris removal is planned to begin in 2027. After that, we will begin developing the trails and recreational features that will allow us to open the site to the public.
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Achieving the full vision for the project will take many years, potentially over a decade. We are hoping to allow public access to the park within a few years, after the existing buildings are demolished and we are able to create safe walking trails along the waterfront.
