neighborhoods.net
front page

Neat Facts Master landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead designed the grounds of McLean Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Belmont. He spent his last couple of years gazing out at the grounds from a hospital room after suffering a breakdown. Until recent years, the source of Walden Pond's waters were unknown. Theories about underground springs (not to mention a Loch Ness-like monster) had been advanced until a local geologist proved mathematically that runoff from the local watershed provided all the water necessary. Some More Links: The MDC and the Dept. of Environmental Management run a number of parks and reservations in eastern Massachusetts. Birding in New England Get the commonwealth's angle, including applicable laws: Massachusetts Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement

Outdoors in the City
In the environs of the city, outdoors means a combination of traveling through urban surroundings and the relative wilds of city parks (Boston Parks and Recreation sites.)

Boston is a great city to walk in. And one of the most famous in the world is the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail connecting 18 historic sites. Or stroll Copley Square and Newbury Street, with their tony shops, restaurants, hotels, and the Boston Public Library John Hancock Tower, and Trinity Chapel. And go on and applaud the beautiful architecture of Back Bay, which is built largely on wooden pilings sunk into a former estuary. Ironically, a few years ago, the area began having problems when the water table dropped too low - the pilings, left unprotected by the water, began to dry and crack.

Right in the middle of the city, Boston Common and The Public Garden call to walkers, sitters, paddleboaters, and squirrel feeders. And don't forget to salute the city's many statues.

On the more "wild side" of the city, try the Stony Brook Reservation located between Roslindale and Hyde Park for some quiet solitude. Try Jamaica Pond for rowing and sailing. Visit Boston's Emerald Necklace, Frederick Law Olmstead's masterpiece.

Meanwhile, Fresh Pond in Cambridge and Mt. Auburn Cemetery on the Watertown/Cambridge line are great places to see birds. OnLocation gives you online tours of both locals. The Brookline Bird Club maintains a list of "secret" spots for seeing our feathered friends.

Suburbs Gone Wild
Outside of the city area there are forests, farms, and a variety of scenic views and receation areas. For example, you can go hiking on Cape Ann. The town of Concord's natural areas are world renowned, and include Thoreau's Walden, as well as a natural wildlife sanctuary. View photos of many natural sites from Concord in Images. The Nature of New England site features photos and links to information about birds, butterflies, and mammals of New England.

There are still a few farms left in the 'burbs - even in Framingham! Much of their produce winds up in Boston restaurants. Vermont may be better known for maple syrup, but there are a number of maple syrup producers in Massachusetts.

Activism
Activism for perservation of the natural world is...well, natural for us. Many of us are all too aware of the need for open space, land free of development, clean natural resources and protected wildlife. Here's an example of efforts to save Boston Harbor. The Charles River Watershed Association, meanwhile, has helped clean up the Charles (remember "Dirty Water?") to the point where it has an annual river fish fry. Marco Kaltofen, a Natick resident and environmental activist, provides ecosleuthing tips when you want to find out more about the toxic-waste dump down the street. And ever the nature protectors, or local chapters of: The Sierra Club and Mass Audubon.

The Sea
Need to cool off? Warm up? Walk by the water? Fish? Sail? Listen to the sounds of the sea and surf? We do, too. Luckily, we have the Atlantic Ocean right at our door. It's chilly to some (those who like their water above freezing!) and warm to the Canadians who visit. Life is a beach, no?

If you want to see whales and a variety of sea birds, you can catch a boat from either Boston's Aquarium or from a variety of places north of the city on Cape Ann. Closer to shore, explore Rockport's Bearskin Neck and Cape Ann's fabulous granite quarries, and the wildlife of the area (and we don't mean discos, guys).

And who could resist a place called "Singing Beach," named for the funny sound the sand makes under your feet (more of a squeak than a song, but to some that's music).

More Water: Rivers, Ponds, etc.
See our Feburary, 1998 feature on Water for lots of links and other information on this subject.