Family parks/walks (Boston, Framingham, Attleboro: estate, hoa, recreation)

[MarsMary]

Hi everyone,

now that spring is on the way I'm looking for some family friendly walks and parks in the metro west area. We are in Wrentham and have found the Blackstone Valley walk and a great park in Walpole (Bird?) but would like to find more! I don't really know where to find them. We like parks that have play areas, open spaces for games or simply trails to walk and look at the scenery and wildlife. My children are 5 and 7 and can cope easily with walks of a few miles. I don't really feel comfortable in isolated wooded areas as when I go out with them on my own I'm a little concerned about safety in such areas. I'd really love to know about places close to me and further afield for afternoon/day trips.

Thanks so much in advance for any suggestions!!!!!!!!!!!

[CaseyB]

Have you ever been to Borderland State Park in Easton? Department of Conservation and Recreation - It's Your Nature

It's lovely there. We used to have picnics there when the kids were little. You can take tours of the mansion when it's open.

[missionhill]

Mary,
Try the Borderland State Park in Easton. It is the former estate of Oakes and Blanche Ames; they created big lakes with carriage paths and trails around. The site has meadows and fields, lots of woods and water. Also consider the Mass Audubon sanctuaries--they all have walking trails through landscapes maintained to attract bird life. Moose Hill in Sharon is a big one, another is Broadmoor in Natick. In addition to parks, there are a number of places called "reservations", some run by the state DCR and some by the private conservation group Trustees of Reservations. Rocky Woods in Medfield is a nice Trustees reservation. You can go online at the DCR, Trustees, and Mass Audubon to get info and directions on all these public lands. Closer to Boston, the Blue Hills Reservation has a swimming pond-playground-picnic table area at Houghton's Pond surrounded by many acres of hilly woods with many trails and summit views. Only problem with the Blue Hills is highway noise as Rte 128 wraps around the hills on the south.

[MarsMary]

Thanks to both of you - those suggestions sound really great..we wil enjoy checking them out.

[elisemarie]

Here are a few more:

1) Hopkinton State Park (just up 495)
2) Diamond Hill (w/great ice cream place across the street!) in Cumberland RI
3) Choate Park in Medway - this has a pond (maybe 1 mile around?) and a playground w/picnic benches and hidden from sight (up on the right) are at least 3 or 4 large playing fields
4) Beaver Pond in Franklin
5) There's an Audobon Field in Millis or Norfolk (just google audobon in ma) that has walking trails
6) Joe's Rock in wrentham off of 122? That's more wooded...

I hope that helps!

[ChunkyMonkey]

Have you checked out the Trustees of the Reservation website.? They have great parks at least in the North Shore.

Welcome! - The Trustees of Reservations

[purrfectplace]

Garden in the Woods -Framingham. It is not free- but it is really nice. Maintained wooded trails with beautiful flora and fauna, and plaques indicating what plants you are looking at.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by elisemarie

Here are a few more:

1) Hopkinton State Park (just up 495)
2) Diamond Hill (w/great ice cream place across the street!) in Cumberland RI
3) Choate Park in Medway - this has a pond (maybe 1 mile around?) and a playground w/picnic benches and hidden from sight (up on the right) are at least 3 or 4 large playing fields
4) Beaver Pond in Franklin
5) There's an Audobon Field in Millis or Norfolk (just google audobon in ma) that has walking trails
6) Joe's Rock in wrentham off of 122? That's more wooded...

I hope that helps!

The Audobon sanctuary is Stonybrook in Norfolk: Stony Brook | Mass Audubon | Nature Connection They charge for admission.

The ice cream place across the street from Diamond Hill is called The Ice Cream Machine - fantastic, and they sell ice cream pies.

I'm not sure what the status of Joe's Rock is. That is a town owned conservation area (as is the one across the street) and last summer the police blocked it off due to inappropriate activity there.

Another good place to go if you have small kids is the World War I memorial park in North Attleborough, just down the street from the Y. They have deer, goats, llamas, donkeys, ducks and you can feed them. Also a tot lot and picnic benches.

[MarsMary]

Thanks so much everyone!! There a so many great suggestions! If the rain stops we'll get out to some this weekend. Thank you! :-)

[MarsMary]

Hi everyone,

well it stopped raining yesterday so we went to Borderland park. It was just what we were looking for! We had a really good walk and will go back with picnics when the weather is warmer. Also looking forwrad to trying out 'frisbee golf' there!

Thanks!