The Town of Arlington invites the community to participate in a special initiative to rename No Name Brook, a waterway that flows alongside the Minuteman Bikeway in Arlington Heights.  Signs advertising the renaming competition have been posted along the brook since May; over 150 name suggestions have already been submitted by residents.  Suggestions for names will be accepted until July 1, 2025, and can be submitted via online form.  

No Name Brook, stretching approximately 1,600 linear feet, has long been overlooked. This waterway, which conveys stormwater from Arlington Heights and provides much needed habitat in our local ecosystem, has faced significant challenges. Bank erosion, stormwater pollution, and neglect have contributed to its degradation. Recognizing this, the Town has prioritized the brook in its Hazard Mitigation Plan since 2012 and, thanks to a recent award from the Community Preservation Act Committee, is now taking significant steps to ensure its health and vitality.

Arlington’s Open Space Committee, with the support of the Department of Planning and Community Development, hired engineers from Hatch and Weston & Sampson to model flood resilience and design proposed changes to the brook. The study has explored various ways of stabilizing the banks, removing invasive vegetation, and enhancing stormwater management. These efforts are essential for restoring the ecological health of No Name Brook and preserving the role it plays in managing stormwater runoff in our community. The engineering and design work is nearing completion and will be finalized by June 30th. 

As part of the study, the Department of Planning and Community Development has also engaged the community in discussions about the brook’s future. Two public forums have been held to date. The conversation has focused on the project’s alignment with the Town’s award-winning Minuteman Bikeway Planning Project and how best to mitigate flood hazards in the surrounding neighborhoods. 

“The enthusiastic support from residents, local organizations, and Town committees is breathing new life into No Name Brook,” said Arlington Environmental Planner David Morgan,  “...transforming it from an overlooked waterway into a cherished brook that enhances the experience for everyone who uses the Minuteman Bikeway.” 

The Conservation Commission’s Water Bodies Working Group will oversee the naming process, and the winning name will be submitted to the Select Board for approval and officially recorded with the USGS Board on Geographic Names.