Community Corner

Greenlodge, Oakdale, The Village - Describing Dedham's Neighborhoods

Precinct, East Dedham, The Manor - how would you describe Dedham's neighborhoods to a friend or family member?

Editor's note: I was recently made the Dedham Patch editor, and while I've covered neighboring West Roxbury for close to a decade, I've never specifically covered the town of Dedham. Wanting and needing to know more about Dedham, I reached out to Town Clerk Paul Munchbach for his descriptions on Dedham's neighborhoods. Paul's descriptions are just the jumping off point - please offer your thoughts and descriptions of Dedham's unique and distinct neighborhoods. 

Have fun with it, but be polite!

"The character of the town is defined by its neighborhoods. It started with neighborhood schools and polling locations and that tradtion has been carried on for hundreds of years. Dedham has the unique ability of being next to Boston, but being one of the oldest towns in the Unites States. Everybody defines themselves by where they live. They won’t say, 'I’m from Dedham', they’ll say, 'I’m from The Manor, Greenlodge, Oakdale, East Dedham, Riverdale, or Precinct 1, Upper Dedham/The Village," said Paul Munchbach, Dedham's Town Clerk. 

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The Manor – The Manor is located on the outskirts of Dedham, bordering Boston's Hyde Park neighborhood and Dedham's Greenlodge. "It’s a lot of working class families, close knit families. There's a lot of tradition... They used to have the burning of the wagon during July 4 holidays," said Munchbach.

How would you describe The Manor? Leave comments below. 

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Greenlodge – Greenlodge is one of the newer neighborhoods in Dedham with most homes being built in the 1950s. "Greenlodge is green – a lot of trees and ledge, once again it’s another tight knit neighborhood... Greenlodge (as a name) couldn’t be any more fitting because there’s trees and homes are spread out," said Munchbach.

How would you describe the Greenlodge neighborhood in Dedham? 

Oakdale – Oakdale, which has its own square, is the most populated Dedham neighborhood. "Oakdale is basically the center of town.. it’s a neighborhood of middle-class working families with a lot of history as being one of the older neighborhoods in the town," said Munchbach.

How would you describe the Oakdale neighborhood in Dedham? Leave your comment below.

East Dedham – East Dedham borders Boston's Hyde Park and West Roxbury's neighborhoods.  a lot of working class families, "They’re known for the old mill, one of the oldest first manmade mills and canals in the country. They had a revitalization, an urban revitalization that changed the area in 1970s. There are a lot of working class families," said Munchbach.

How would you describe East Dedham to a friend or family member? Let us know in the comments section below.

Riverdale – Riverdale was old farm land and has a lot of waterfront property. "They’ll say come out to the island because Riverdale is completely surrounded by the Charles River. You could take a canoe, and canoe all around. You have to go under a couple bridges. I’ve done it. Riverdale is unique in its own way because it seems to be the outskirts of town," said Munchbach.

How would you describe Dedham's Riverdale neighborhood to a friend or family member?

Precinct 1/Upper Dedham/The Village – The Precinct 1 or The Village is the oldest neighborhood. "That is probably our most historic district with lots fo historical homes... Lots of the houses go back to the 1700s. There are larger historical homes," said Munchbach.

How would you describe Precinct 1 or The Village? Let us know in the comments section below, or any other Dedham neighborhood.


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