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Newton Park and Conservation Lands
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3
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Charles River Path -
Bemis Dam |
SIZE: About one mile
LONGEST WALK : 2 miles (longer walks that includes this park)
ACQUIRED: 1960
ADMINISTERED BY:
Charles Riverwalk - Division
of Urban Parks and Recreation
Forte Park - Parks and Recreation Commission
FEATURES:
The Riverwalk
features vestiges of one of the oldest dams on the Charles River,
with remains of raceways built by David Bemis in 1778, and scenic
views of the Charles River. The path from Galen Street in Watertown
Square, improved by the MDC in 1998, offers scenic overlooks, a
fish ladder at Watertown Dam, falls, fishing areas, and boat launches.
Forte Park, formerly Allison Park,
has been recently renovated and features a soccer field, basketball
courts, children's playground, and restrooms. Future plans include
a bocce court and running path. On summer evenings, herons roost
on the Charles River bank next to the park.
HISTORY:
| 1753 |
Bemis bought 37
acres surrounding the river. |
| 1760 |
Bemis Mill and
Millrace built. |
| 1778 |
Raceway built
by David Bemis on 1/2 acre. |
| 1821 |
Rolling stone
dam built |
| 1822 |
Breached rolling
stone dam built to power textile mills owned by the Bemis family
on both sides of the river. |
| 1880s |
Aetna Textile
Mill Building constructed. |
| 1944 |
Dam breached. |
| 1974 |
MDC was persuaded
not to rebuild dam and to leave the breach as a passage for
anadromous
fish to lay eggs upstream, the fry returning to the ocean.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Essay by Alison Leary
Description
of Bike Path
Department of Urban Parks and Recreation
Map
This park is Walk 25 in the book, WalkBoston
Boston Globe article and map
More about Bemis Dam
Discover Historic Nonantum brochure
Current Upper Charles River Reservation projects
AlongTheCharles.com photography website
Wildflowers Near the Charles River
US Environmental Protection Agency information about the Charles River
US Geological Survey information
 Community Rowing is based at the Daly Rink
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