|
Newton Park and Conservation Lands
LOCATION: Chestnut Hill
Location
and driving directions on Google Maps for entrance at:
Suffolk Road
MBTA: a 0.5 mile walk from Chestnut Hill Station, Green Line
Newton Conservators trail map (Buy a copy of our trail guide)
Other maps and aerial
photos: Newton Assessor Bing USGS
Connects to: Webster Conservation Area
SIZE: 10 acres
LONGEST WALK : 0.4 miles (a longer walk that includes this park)
ACQUIRED: 1968
ADMINISTERED BY: Conservation
Commission
FEATURES:
Here in Newton is a wild garden that's listed
on the National
Register of Historic Places. Its gracious paths, overhung by
azalea and rhododendron, wind around a stream and lagoon-like pond.
Water features were designed by Warren Manning, who formerly worked for the Olmsted studio. Uncommon migrating birds are seen here.
The alpine rock garden on a ledge overlooking
Houghton Pond was one of the first of its kind. Especially lovel
are the climbing hydrangea, the naturalized lilly of the valley,
the wood hyacinth, the umbrella pine, and other exotic evergreens.
HISTORY:
| 1906 |
Garden started
by Mrs. Clement S. Houghton, who lived in the Spanish mission
style house at 152 Suffolk Road. |
| 1968 |
Garden was taken
by eminent domain by Newton, after Chestnut Hill Neighborhood
Association fought off an eminent-domain bid to develop the
property for an art school. |
| 1999 |
Garden listed on the National Register of Historic Places. |
| 2000-2003 |
City of Newton
rehabilitated the
garden using funds from Massachusetts Historical Commission and
the Department of Environmental Management. |
ADVOCATES & CARETAKERS:
Chestnut Hill Garden Club
PO Box 67442
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
MORE INFORMATION:
Newton's Secret Garden
Discover Historic Chestnut Hill brochure
Photos by Daniel Jackson
|
