Want to explore Newton’s natural places? Whether you’re looking for a quick family outing or a more detailed hiking guide, two excellent resources can help: Green Newton’s Newton’s Natural Hidden Gems and the Newton Conservators’ Trail Guide.
The first guide is Green Newton’s “Newton’s Natural Hidden Gems.” Available through the Green Newton website, this free guide features ten peaceful nature sites that are lesser known in the Newton community. These include parks, playgrounds and natural areas for people of all ages. Examples include Emerson Playground, Hammond Pond Reservation, and the Charles River Wetlands Trail. The guide provides an overview of each park, as well as pictures and suggested activities for each site. It also includes information on parking and the closest subway station. This short guide is perfect for families new to Newton or those looking for new parks to explore.
If you are looking for a more detailed guide, there is also the Newton Conservators Trail Guide created by the Newton Conservators. This 62-page guide provides comprehensive information on twenty-eight parks and conservation areas in Newton. Included are well-known parks such as Cold Spring and Webster Woods, as well as lesser known areas such as Dolan Pond and Kennard Park. For each site, the guide includes a map of the trails, along with information on site features, trail types, terrain, transportation, and accessibility.
The guide also comes with a double-sided 18” by 24” map. One side shows routes of the Blue Heron Trail and the Aqueduct Trails. The other side features a unique map of seven long walks that visit a combination of green spaces along the way. These routes range from 1.5 miles to 7 miles, and are great for people interested in hiking, running, or biking. There is also a page on the Newton Conservators website with specific links to online maps for each walk. Some also include pictures along different parts of the walk to guide you. This guide is available for purchase online and at Newtonville Books in Newton Centre.
Sofia is a Green Newton summer intern, a Newton South High School graduate, and a rising sophomore at Beloit College.