Hampton Ponds State Park

July 20, 2019 Sunny & Blazing Hot

This state park is consists mainly of a small beach on a pond.

The day we visited was sweltering and sunny, and the parking lot was nearly full. Several groups held large parties in the pavilions at the edges of the beach, and the smell of BBQ and mixture of music was strong in the air.

We changed and raced into the water, only to hear a whistle blow for a “safety check” just 30 seconds later. Our timing was unfortunate and we had to bake on the beach for about 20 minutes before we were allowed to return to the water. Our advice – try to time your visit to avoid the checks. If you’re not sure of the schedule…ask the ice cream trucks! They seem to known exactly and show up seconds later.

Although the beach had a golden color and was fine for sunbathing, the sand was somewhat coarse and a few other factors detracted from the experience. The swimming area was small and shallow, the water fairly warm and a bit murky, and there was a good deal of pond grass (as seen below).

The constant roar of jet skiers, waverunners, and motor boats zooming by also soured us on the experience.

Although the children enjoyed cooling off, we all agreed there are better state beaches to visit.

Water was too warm, lots of pond grass, and noisy motorboats really detract from the experience here.
Too much seaweed/pond grass (?). Noise from jet skis nearby was too annoying.
There was pondgrass and stuff in the water.
There was a lot of seaweed. The water was warm.

For more information: Hampton Ponds State Park official site

Holyoke Heritage State Park

July 20, 2019 Sunny

Holyoke Heritage State Park is in the center of town along a canal. The grounds consist of a Visitor’s Center, a Merry-Go-Round, a Children’s Museum, a Volleyball Hall of Fame, as well as a canal walk.

The Visitor’s Center has exhibits about the history of Holyoke, including a replica of the immigration stations on Ellis Island, and details on industrial mills in Holyoke. Holyoke was a center of paper making in the 1800s. The Visitor’s Center is pretty small.

Right in front of the Visitor’s Center, inside this building below, was the Merry-go-Round.

Outside the Visitor’s Center there was a splash pad, and just beyond that was the canal.

On both banks of the canal stood historic mill buildings. Unfortunately, most of the mill buildings on the side of the Visitor’s Center were burned down, so the City put in a playground and an old flywheel that was used to power the steam engines in the mills.

On the other bank the buildings were decrepit. Many were empty and run down.

The Children’s Museum and the Volleyball Hall of Fame are nearby, but we didn’t have time to visit them.

The carousel was the highlight. The canal walk was disappointing, with some old mills gone and now just grassy lots.
Not much to see at the visitor’s center, and outside along the canal the buildings were run down.
The carousel was fun. but overall it was a bit boring.
I like the carousel. The wheel looks cool.

For more information: Holyoke Heritage State Park official site

Middlesex Fells Reservation

July 14, 2019 Sunny

Middlesex Fells Reservation is a large collection of parks, trails, and ponds north of Boston. We visited Spot Pond Reservoir and Crystal Spring Trail.

Our first stop was the boat rental at Spot Pond Reservoir. They have canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, row boats, and small sailboats for renting, and they also offer lessons. We opted for a large canoe for the four of us. The rental process was painless and very fast. There were no crowds and no lines.

The Pond is fairly small. There are two bigger islands – Great Island and Bold Point. A 10-minute paddle from the boat ramp brought us to Great Island, where we stepped onto a stony shore and had a picnic. The island was full of goose poop though, so the kids were a little grossed out.

Along the way we saw many water fowls. Again, not many people on the water, although the pond borders I-93 and the noise from the Interstate was very annoying.

We rowed all around for about an hour, and explored almost the whole pond. We saw people fishing on the shores.

Our next stop was the Crystal Spring Trail. The trail was rocky at places, shady and flat for the most part. There were many side trails and short-cuts, but in general the trails were well marked.

The only interesting thing we saw was this Split Rock. The trail was unremarkable, and sometimes ventured close to parking lots, houses, or playgrounds. It might be a pleasant little walk if you live nearby, but nothing special.

Canoeing around the pond and islands provided plenty of fun. But the trails were pretty ordinary.
Boating was fun. Trails were unremarkable.
The boating was good and so was the hike.
The hike was pretty. The boating was fun boating.

For more information: Middlesex Fells Reservation official site

Hopkinton State Park

July 13, 2019 Sunny

This is a large park with a reservoir, beaches, boat rental, and a trail system. We visited on a hot July day mainly to swim at the beach. But first we climbed a large dike to look over the reservoir. In the picture below you can see the beach that fronts a pond and the changing rooms.

On the other side of the high dike is the main reservoir for boat rentals and fishing. It also has a small beach (center of picture below, on the opposite shore).

But we returned to the Main Beach, which was fairly busy, even at 4 pm on a Saturday. It was family oriented, with plenty of children. Several lifeguards kept watch and there are buoys to mark the swimming area, which covers only a fraction of the pond.

The beach is sandy and clean, but the sand texture is fairly coarse. The water is warm enough to just wade in, and mainly shallow, which is great for kids to splash around. Near the edge of the swimming area, it’s maybe 6 or 7 feet, so not deep.

The kids really enjoyed splashing and swimming, and later playing on the shore. Since there are no waves or tides, it’s easy to build something elaborate and know that it will be there for a while.

An ice cream truck pulled up during our time there, offering a welcome treat, and I think the”Snowy Joey” truck is a regular. In fact, they came within minutes of an emergency medical situation that cleared the water for about 15 minutes. Maybe they knew it happened and what a great opportunity it was? In any case…it wasn’t related to swimming and we never did find out what happened.

Later in the day, around dinner time, we did a short drive over to the other “Upper Beach”, but were not impressed. The grilling is right next to the beach and the atmosphere is smoky (although in a good way). But there was also some trash on the beach, which was a bit muddier and not as sandy. I also noticed that it was shaded in the later afternoon hours, unlike the Main Beach that remained sunny the whole time.

But Ryan climbed up and enjoyed playing lifeguard.

The upper reservoir also has a nice-looking boat rental with paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboats, and more. Although we didn’t take advantage of the boat rental, we definitely wanted to come back.

The reservoir is lovely in the afternoon and very clean. It’s quite large and more peaceful than I expected. There’s also no road noise within the park, which is great.

Overall, there’s plenty of variety here and the park is well kept. We were impressed with the Main Beach as an easy alternative to ocean beaches.

On our next visit, we’ll be sure to try the boat rental and report on it.

A clean, family-friendly beach with facilities and grills nearby. The water was warm and clear. Surprisingly fun for an inland location.
Nice big park with plenty of space for every activities. Swimming was fun for the little ones.
The water was warm but it was busy.
The water was nice and warm, and I like seeing Ryan on the life guard stand.

For more information: Hopkinton State Park official site

Whitehall State Park

July 6, 2019 Sunny

The Whitehall State Park is right outside of the I-495 loop in Hopkinton. There is a loop trail (about 7 miles) around the Whitehall Reservoir.

We visited on a hot summer day. Right away from the trailhead there’s water views, and the views were plentiful around the reservoir.

The water was warm and very clear. We were very tempted to take a dip.

The trails are clearly marked and did not seem buggy at all. However, the trail is not all flat. There are some hilly parts. The trees are tall and there was a shade and a breeze, making the walk very pleasant.

In some places the reservoir is close to houses, and it’s clear the residents are taking advantage of this. We saw chairs placed near the water for a relaxing time.

Overall we were very happy with this hidden gem. There were no crowds and plenty of parking, making this a great place to swim on a hot day or take a boat out.

The reservoir loop was very scenic with plenty of water views.
Water was clear and warm. No crowds. A hidden gem.
The lake was peaceful and there weren’t many bugs. Overall a pleasant experience.
I found a one person seesaw, which was just a fallen tree which part of it was secure in the ground, and the other part was hanging about 2 feet off the trail. Overall, the trail was nice.
The lake was beautiful and also I didn’t get many bug bites.

For more information: Whitehall State Park official site.

Winthrop Shore Reservation

July 4, 2019 Sunny

Winthrop Beach is just north of Boston in Winthrop, MA and has been a popular beach for city dwellers since the 1890s when the commuter rail extended north out Boston and past this area.

What’s interesting is the dunes you see when you arrive, as well as the so-called “5 sisters”, or piles of rocks offshore that help to break the waves.

Although we came on a very hot day around noon, the beach was not too busy, with groups of mainly younger beachgoers, but plenty of space to stretch out. It looked like most of the visitors were there for the day, with tents, coolers, sporting goods, etc.

The beach has really nice, fine sand. The water was brisk but not too cold, and very clear. A gentle ocean breeze provided some cooling as well.

The kids enjoyed playing and swimming here much more than Constitution Beach which we visited earlier that morning.

Our family enjoyed the beach itself and the views. The main drawback is the lack of facilities. There are a few showers near the ocean drive, but the bathhouse is apparently down from the main beach so we didn’t explore it. Come to the beach changed to your suit and ready to go.

The beach is less crowded than others nearby. While the sand and water are fine, it could use better facilities close to the beach.
The sand was fine. No facilities though.
The sand was soft and there weren’t many creatures.
The sand was soft and fine. Not busy.
The sand was very soft.

For more information: Winthrop Shore Reservation official site.

Constitution Beach Park

July 4, 2019 Sunny

We visited Constitution Beach on a very hot July day, arriving at 10 am to find a full parking lot with just a few spaces left. This beach is a man-made crescent of sand in East Boston that opened in 1952.

It has some good facilities such as a playground, clean changing rooms and restrooms, and a snack bar with good Italian ice.

The main beach sand is good but we visited at low tide so the kids were playing in an area that seemed fairly small and a bit muddy. But it was very safe and calm, with a clearly marked swimming area.

The fun part for kids is watching planes land and take off from Logan airport, which is just across the water (see the plane in picture above?)

It seems to me this is a great beach to sunbathe and hang out on, but mainly for families. For swimming, it’s probably best to hit the beach at high tide, when you’d have more sand to play on.

Definitely a beach for locals, but easy to get to and nice sand. On the other hand, it’s not facing the Atlantic, so you don’t get the ocean breeze and waves.
The water wasn’t clean, though watching planes taking off was something different.
The sand was low quality and the waves were nonexistent; I also cut my finger on the many rocks, which impaired my fine motor skills for days to come.
The tide was coming in but there was a playground and it was cool.
I like it because there’s a lot of wet sand, and you can play.

For more information: Constitution Beach Park official site.

Lawrence Heritage State Park

June 30, 2019 Thunderstorms

Lawrence Heritage State Park has four different parts. The Pemberton Park between the canal and the Merrimack River commemorates the 145 people who lost their lives in the Pemberton Mill disaster of 1860. The Riverfront Park and Riverside Park are on opposite sides of the Merrimack. The Greycourt State Park in nearby Methuen contains the grounds, gate house, and ruins of the Tenney Castle.

Lawrence Heritage State Park headquarters has a museum that is dedicated to the history of the Lawrence cotton mills and labor movement in the Industrial Revolution.

The visitor center has a pretty good exhibit. The kids loved exploring all the “old technology”, such as a rotary telephone, a typewriter, and a sewing machine.

We learned about the Pemberton Mill disaster that claimed the lives of 140+ people, and the labor movement of 1912 that eventually led to overtime pay.

We then took a walk outside along the canal and saw the Pemberton Mill that was rebuilt, and along the Merrimack River that had more mills and dormitories converted into apartments and condos.

The clock tower you see above is the largest mill clock tower in the world, with faces that are nearly the size of Big Ben’s. It really stands out on the skyline.

The other park we visited was the Greycourt State Park that had the ruins of the Tenney Castle. This castle was built by an industrialist and “city father” of Methuen called Charles H. Tenney in 1890, but was burned down in different fires in the 1970s.

The grounds were pretty and would have been a beautiful place for pictures, but really not a whole lot to see here.

The canal walk is short but has a series of bridges and imposing mills. But the walk is short and lacks signs for points of interest. This is a diamond in the rough and will certainly improve with investment.
The museum was nicely done. The walk along the canal and the Merrimack was alright, but the buildings were not in good shape.
The museum was boring, just some old stuff, and the buildings around there were in bad shape.
The museum was good but it was kind of boring. I liked the castle.
The castle looked cool. I like playing with the telephone.

For more information: Lawrence Heritage State Park official site

Pope John Paul II Park Reservation

June 29, 2019 Thunderstorms

This park is basically an hourglass shaped section of land just east of I-93 in Quincy.

There are large fields with a loop trail around them, along with many shaded pavilions for resting or picnicking.

On the eastern side, you get some really close to a marsh and some long views that make it seem quite pretty. But the roar of I-93 is a constant on the western side of the park nearest the freeway.

We visited on a stormy day and just narrowly escaped a downpour. Check out the clouds in the background with sheets of rain coming down on Boston and the harbor!

If you want to walk more, continue on to the Neponset River Reservation, as we did.

This seemed like a good park to fly a kite or jog in. For little kids, it could be a good place to learn to bike.

I liked the wide, open views of the Neponset River, but the playground was poorly maintained, and it has a lot of road noise.
It’s an oasis in the city center. A great place to walk or jog if you live nearby. Not worth a trip.
The playground was badly maintained and the fields were large but unimpressive.
Although there was lightning, the paths were good.
I liked playing at the playground. The path looked cool.

For more information: Pope John Paul II Park Reservation official site

Neponset River Reservation

June 29, 2019 Thunderstorm

This walk along the river is connected to the John Paul II Park and can be reached by continuing from that park under I-93 on a flat, even bike path.

There are numerous murals along the way, such as the one here.

Some are also poetic, and all are in good shape, without a hint of graffiti vandalism.

The walk takes you by fields with a splash park, and follows along the Neponset River, which is crossed by an interesting old drawbridge.

Past this bridge you have great views of the river on your left and an old cemetery on the right.

It’s a nice, easy path for younger walkers or riders, without many other pedestrians or cyclists.

Eventually you reach the site of an old industrial mill and the former Baker chocolate factory, where you can watch the fast moving water move over rocks and past willow trees, or stop for a rest.

If you’re interested in history, be sure to turn left (south) on Adams street, walk a block, and see the Milton Landing historical marker, which commemorates a document that inspired the Declaration of Independence.

Once you’re finished, you can return the same way, or you can take the old trolley for free from the Milton stop up to Cedar Grove, or another station near your parking spot. Just be sure to get off by Ashmont.

This pleasant walk has plenty of variety for everyone, and is a great way to see nature as well as explore some urban areas.

Lots of interesting murals, flat path, and some bathrooms (port a potties) along the way. Ends around a scenic bridge and rapids. Good path for walking or biking.
I would definitely come back biking the trail. The scenery was varied and interesting. There’s a free trolley that goes along the trail from Mattapan to Cedar Grove.
There are beautiful murals along the trail. There is also a trolley (no cost!) that runs next to the path.
I liked the trail because it was paved and the trolley was fun.
The river was beautiful. It was fun riding the trolley back to our starting point.

For more information: Neponset River Reservation official site

Squantum Point Park

June 29, 2019 Thunderstorms

This is a former naval airfield in Quincy that’s now a waterfront park.

Most of the walk is on a gravel trail with lush vegetation on both sides. We were surprised at how dense it was, and saw numerous butterflies, birds, and even some very tiny (1/2 inch long) frogs along the path. Although there were a few dog walkers, most of the trail was surprisingly empty.

At various points you have a view of the water or a small footpath to the gravelly and muddy beach.

The views of Boston are pretty good and you can also see planes taking off from Logan in the far distance.

On the western side you have a clear view of the famous water tanks from the local traffic reports.

Some parts of the shore have crumbling remnants of a pier or other structure.

One even urges “Help Stop Vandalism” 🙂

Farther along you hug a fence alongside a large warehouse, and then round a turn to some pretty impressive and wild marshes, where we saw a lone birder with binoculars.

Overall this walk had some good variety, water views, and a chance to see different birds along the way. It was a welcome oasis in Quincy.

Lots of birds, butterflies, and even small frogs on the paths. It had great views of Boston but a constant road noise from I-93 was a negative.
A short walk and then a good view on a stony beach. Many birds and tiny frogs and butterflies. Except for the noise, it’s close to Boston and is worth a visit.
It was pretty fun and there were a lot of small frogs. The paths were muddy but that could’ve been due to the weather that day.
Good beach parking lot. There were a lot of puddles.
I liked playing on the beach. The paths looked like the Everglades.

For more information: Squantum Point Park official site

Lowell Heritage State Park

June 22, 2019 Showers/Sunny

The cousins came to visit, and we wanted to take them to see the mills at Lowell National Historic Park. The Merrimack River powered these first industrial textile mills in America. The Lowell Heritage State Park celebrates this part of history.

The walk along the Merrimack River leading to the Pawtucket Falls and Dam is called the Vandenberg Esplande.

The walk was lovely in the beautiful summer day. There was a stage called Sampas Pavilion where summer concerts are staged. We saw a lot of kids playing on the stage.

Many family were picnicking on the grassy field, enjoying music and food. There was also a very small beach.

As we kept walking, the path got narrower and closer to the road, which was not too pleasant. We eventually reached the Pawtucket Fall and Dam. The scenery was quite dramatic. It looked like the dam was built to run the mills during the Industrial Revolution. It was really an interesting sight and something different to see.

Right across the street there is a restaurant called “Heritage Park Ice-Cream”, which also serves food. It is not hard to imagine relaxing and spending all day in this park.

Most of the walk was through picnickers or along the road, but the highlight (just to the north) was the bridge with a rocky patch and some cascades.
A nice little walk leading to an interesting dam.
If you are looking for a peaceful stroll by the lake, reconsider your choice. This park has literally nothing but a small dam and a bridge.
The waterfall was good and the sand.
It was a nice little park where you could hang out.
I like the waterfall.

For more information: Lowell Heritage State Park official site

Ellisville Harbor State Park

June 16, 2019 Cloudy/Showers

This is a short walk near the Cape that is just south of Plymouth and worth a trip if you’re in the area.

You pass through a gentle, forested trail with views of salt marshes below and the seashore beyond.

Along the way you might come upon giant purple rhododendrons.

Nearer the shore there are other interesting flowers along the dunes.

Although the beach has some sand, it also is strewn with seaweed and smoothed rocks along the water. If you walk to the left, there are some high bluffs showing the force of erosion. A lone white house is perched quite close to the edge despite efforts to slow the erosion with nets that enclose grass plantings.

You can also see the heads of seals bobbing in the water if you’re lucky. You can just make them out in the center of the picture below.

The beach toward the right widens and is sandier but still not a classic swimming beach. But the interesting rocks and snails make up for it. Diana and the boys turned over some rocks and found small crabs as well.

The boys also enjoyed digging in the sand and just enjoying the ocean. There were quite a few people fishing as well. Looks like they’ve got some good catches.

On the way back, we spotted a rock with a large seal perched atop, just off shore. I know it’s grainy, but not a bad shot of the seal.

What’s nice about this walk is the variety of scenery – forest, meadows, salt marshes, rocky shore, sandy beach – all within a short hike. And the chance to view seals at play is something special to remember.

A scenic walk with a peaceful shore to wander. The seals made it special, in my view.
Beautiful harbor. Quiet and peaceful. We saw lots of seals.
Too rocky and the water was cold. Don’t go here.
There was a beach but it was rocky.
That was so fun! I like making stuff with the sand and the dirt.

For more information: Ellisville Harbor State Park official site

Pilgrim Memorial State Park

June 16, 2019 Cloudy/Showers

We parked along shore a bit north of this site, which allowed for a short stroll along the shoreline before reaching the main tourist attractions. The first site that caught our eyes was a small pirate ship for rent.

Also from this spot you can see an unusual site – a rowboat perched on top of a restaurant.

As you wander along the seawall you approach the site of the Mayflower II (a replica ship which was away during our visit, and not returning till May 2020). But at least we get a bonus state pier sign, which normally would lead to the Mayflower and a chance to explore the ship.

The actual Plymouth Rock is somewhat disappointing, sheltered in a grand pavilion, but clearly cracked down the middle. It was actually identified by an elder as the original spot where the Mayflower passengers arrived much later – in 1741 – but the story is somewhat doubtful. It split in 1774 as it was being dragged to the town square.

After you see the Rock, you can cross the street and climb a grassy hill for views of the harbor. The Indian chief Massasoit looks out on the water as well and is happy to pose for pictures.

From here, wander inland a few blocks, passing old houses, to a main shopping district with plenty of restaurants. Or just follow along the shore and enjoy the water views.

Although Plymouth Rock is somewhat disappointing, the waterfront is great to stroll and there’s plenty of history in town and the nearby Plimoth Plantation. Or you can just load up on the souvenirs, fudge, and saltwater taffy.
There’s not a lot to see. The Mayflower is in Connecticut until next year. The waterfront was nicely done but touristy.
It’s pretty boring and there is nothing to do. Not nearly as impressive as you might think.
Just a rock. Next to the ocean is good.
It looked cool. There’s not that much stuff that you can do.

For more information: Pilgrim Memorial State Park official site

Myles Standish Monument State Reservation

June 16, 2019 Cloudy/Showers

This was a fun and short excursion for the kids. If you’re in the area visiting Plymouth, it’s well worth your time to head for this tower that commemorates Myles Standish, the military leader of Plymouth Plantation. It’s a 116 feet tall granite monument and was built on Captain’s Hill, the highest point on land that was once owned by Myles.

Once inside the reservation, a long driveway through woods leads to an opening and the hill and monument come into view.

You can go inside and climb the iron staircase up 125 steps, all for free. And when we visited a park ranger sat just inside, happy to answer your questions. Although the stairs are winding and tight, only only one other climber was descending as we rushed up (with the adults huffing a bit).

The views of the surrounding area are lovely and encompass parts of the original Plymouth Colony. Several directions look out over water, as with this view to the east.

This was a fun activity and you get quite a workout. A good addition to your Plymouth plans.

A quick diversion for the kids with rewarding views at the top. I think it’s well worth a visit.
Nice view from the top.
It is a mini attraction, so don’t expect a lot. Only go here if you have other, bigger plans for what to do afterwards.
There was a lot of steps but that was a good thing.
I like the view at the top. It looked beautiful.

For more information: Myles Standish Monument State Reservation official site

Charles River Reservation

June 9, 2019 Sunny

This is one of our favorite walks. The paved path runs along the Charles River on the Boston side from Watertown to the Hatch Shell/Esplanade where Boston Pops perform the 4th July concert every year, and then all the way to the Boston Harbor at the Science Museum. There are many activities along the way and many playgrounds. For example, there are two locations of Community Boating that give sailing and rowing lessons. There is also a canoe rental kiosk, and bike rental places. We also love the cherry blossoms near the Hatch Shell.

We typically park at the Artesani Playground lot in Allston. There is a splash pool as well as a few newly renovated playgrounds.

On this trip we walked down to Weeks Footbridge, about a 2-mile walk. The Boston Dragon Boat Festival was happening around the Weeks Footbridge. There were food trucks on the Cambridge side, and the rowing teams were assembled on the Boston side.

We saw a number of duck and goose families. The kids enjoyed picking up feathers as they walked. The views are always great and interesting. Many opportunities for photos of the Boston skyline, Harvard University, and sailboats on the harbor.

Kids with feathers with Harvard University on the background

Try to stay along the gravel path by the river for a more peaceful walk, although the cars along Soldiers Field are a constant presence.

This is really enjoyable in good weather, for people watching and the numerous boats that ply the river. Each section is different and brings something new.
This is one of my favorite walks.
I liked nothing. Hot, smelly, and long, the walk was torturous. However, I did get some pleasure out of kicking up dust storms to annoy people, so the day wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Just the act of walking the entire thing.
I liked collecting geese feathers and it was pretty good.
I liked seeing the Canada goose with their little babies, and I liked collecting their feathers.

For more information: Charles River Reservation official site

Elm Bank Reservation

June 8, 2019 Sunny

We visited Elm Bank in Wellesley on sunny June day and parked near the soccer fields to start a 3 mile loop trail. However, it’s probably better to continue on the loop road and park nearer the main garden entrance. In any case, we found a helpful trail guide, although it’s not directly at the start of the trails.

From the parking near the gate to the gardens, we soon came upon a wide path called the “Meander” and headed into a forest toward the Charles River.

The trail quickly comes to the river, which you follow for much of the walk on a wide, shady path. The kids stopped to skip some stones.

Later we came to an opening with a lovely bench and some interesting, twisted wood near the bank. There are other wide trails along the way that lead to the “Swamp” but we decided to stick along the river.

At several points we passed fire hydrants (in the woods!) And a curious metal pump or container. It was a strange site for sure.

I found that it’s really peaceful and quiet in the woods, and there are not many walkers. However, many of them do have dogs (off the leash, which is not really allowed). But they were well behaved and every person (and dog) seemed very tranquil.

In any case, when you come to the main gate with the house and gardens, it’s worthwhile to pay the nominal fee to check it out. Inside you’ll find all sorts of gardens (flowers, vegetables, herbs, etc.) and even a formal garden with fountains and statues. A really special and whimsical garden is just for kids and has giant sized furniture like below.

Ryan and Miles explore this giant branch

From the gardens it’s a short walk back to your car, or hang out in the shade and just enjoy a good book.

If you’re in the area, the combination of the peaceful river loop and gardens are hard to beat for an afternoon stroll. It’s a local gem in my view.
The trail itself was wide and flat and quiet, but accessing the trail involved walking on busy roads.
Not bad, definitely. There are more scenic walks, but it was still very tranquil.
It was good but not very natural. There was nobody else there.
Pretty good. I like the river. There are some bugs. There’s not that much stuff to do but walk.

For more information: Elm Bank Reservation official site.

Cutler Park Reservation

June 2, 2019 Sunny

We went on this lovely, short walk in Newton today. It’s hidden just behind Kendrick Street, beyond some generic office buildings of PTC. Although we lived in the area many years, we never took this loop.

The trail is a wide gravel path with plenty of shade from overhead trees and immediate views of what seems like a pond. On our visit, several clumps of flowers stood in the shallow waters and a father and son fished.

In the wooded section of the loop we traversed a narrow path and came upon a short wooden bridge, and a mysterious concrete dome that looked like a buried Christmas ornament. The kids enjoyed scrambling around.

On our return we marched out to a view of the pond and noticed two swans with their young children. The papa swan chased a Canada goose across the water, skimming just feet over the surface.

Although you’re just steps from roads, office parks, and the buzz of Newton, parts of the trail are quite serene and quiet. We saw kayakers enjoying the water, with greenery all around. Only an old brick tower peeking over the skyline reminded us how close we were to the bustling town.

Cutler Park was a lovely walk if you’re looking for a quick getaway and river scenery, without a lot of driving.

This walk is a great urban escape. I really enjoyed the wide, shaded path, and beautiful scenery. There is some road noise from I-95, but overall a worthwhile hike.
The Heart Healthy Trail is gentle and very easy. Many dog walkers. The Blue Heron Trail is noisy as it’s too close to I-95.
The hike was nothing special. Don’t waste your time. Consider going to locations such as Niagara Falls or New York, or even Boston, where there are much better things to see.
The hike was good but there were a lot of other people there.
I like what we saw – the beautiful lake.

For more information: Cutler Park Reservation official site

The Journey Begins

The Massachusetts Department and Recreation (DCR) maintains over 150 state parks. We are a family of 5 – two grown-ups and three boys age 13, 10, and 6. We have boldly decided to try to visit all of the State Parks in one year. We will be blogging our progress and sharing our favorites along the way.