|
Newton Park and Conservation Lands
LOCATION: South Newton
Location
and driving directions on Google Maps for entrances at:
Nahanton Street Winchester Street
MBTA: Route 52 Directions from Green Line
Newton Conservators trail map (Buy a copy of our trail guide)
Other maps and aerial
photos: Newton Assessor Bing USGS
Friends of Nahanton Park map
Connects to: Helen Heyn Riverway
Nearby: Cutler Park
SIZE: 57 acres
LONGEST WALK : 0.7 miles
ACQUIRED: 1900 and 1980
ADMINISTERED BY: Parks
and Recreation
FEATURES:
The park includes riverfront, community
garden plots, meadows, wooded hillsides, wild blackberry bushes,
wetlands, a pond, and an open plateau
overlooking the river valley. The park is used for walking, jogging, canoe launching,
fishing, field games, kite flying, picnicking, nature study, cross-country
skiing, sledding, and birding. The park is known to attract
birders who come from far and wide to observe uncommon
birds, particularly during spring and fallmigration.
In 2010, Charles River Canoe & Kayak opened a rental facility in the park.
 ACCESSIBILITY:
Florrie's
Path, a handicapped-accessible path along the Charles River,
starts by the nature center
building where many summertime programs for children are held.
HISTORY:
| 1890 |
Newton purchases 25 acres on Winchester St. from Thomas Ranney and John Doyle for the Poor Farm. |
| 1900 |
Almshouse moves from Waban to a new building on Winchester St. |
| 1964 |
City closes the Almshouse (then known as the City Infirmary). |
| 1968 |
Newton Public Welfare Department is absorbed by the state. The Infirmary and Poor Farm are transferred to the Recreation Commission. |
| 1970s |
Parks and Recreation Commission declines to develop the property as a park. |
| 1980 |
City purchased
32 acres from Xaverian Brothers with partial reimbursement from
Urban Self-Help Program. |
| 1987 |
Park opens. |
ADVOCATES & CARETAKERS:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Natural Resources Inventory and Management Plan (Mass Audubon Society, 2011)
Study done,
now it's time to work
Birding in Nahanton Park, by Alison Leary
Charles River Canoe & Kayak
On the Charles.com (kayaking and canoeing information)
Bird News from Nahanton Park blog
Newton's Almshouses, by Michael J. Clarke
Photo gallery
Use of the park for dumping snow and Christmas trees in 2011
|
