When we first moved to Brookline, we traded a big back yard for “big city” living. At the time, our twin boys were seven years old, and the thought of being cooped up in a house for an endless New England winter with no substantial yard space into which to throw the boys was distressing to say the least. Little boys need fresh air and exercise, and so do their parents. Growing boys need to run off excess energy and throw balls and climb things and poke things with sticks (NOT including their brother’s eye) and their aging parents and grandparents need a place to participate or just sit, watch and enjoy the sunshine.
Very quickly we discovered the greenest feather in Brookline’s cap, its parks and playgrounds.
If you’ve read this column before, you know the guys in my family are baseball obsessed, and as the mother, wife and mascot, I’m pot committed to endless hours cheering on little leaguers. It was in the official capacity of a baseball mom that I was first introduced to many of the Brookline fields that contain baseball diamonds such as Warren (Eliot) Field, Robinson, Larz Anderson, and Amory parks. But it is during the beautiful weekends like the one we just had, when the sky is crystal blue and the temperature is mid-summer warm, that I truly appreciate the many outdoor spaces of Brookline. This is when the whole town seemingly pours out its doors to flood the trails, playgrounds and fields, relishing in the first sunny weekend of the season.
On Saturday I discovered Harry Downes Field when I went with my son to see a friend of his play soccer. The artificial turf soccer field (which absorbs the sun’s heat wonderfully and is almost decadent to lounge on) was practically hidden among mature oaks and a dense neighborhood. I’ve lived in Brookline for more than three years and didn’t know it existed. But then again, Brookline has 52 outdoor spaces woven within its boundaries, so it’s easy to miss a few. Downes also boasts a tot lot, running track, bleachers, field house and softball diamond.
After the soccer game my husband took both boys to Eliot field to practice their pitching, and later we sat atop Summit Hill, across from the Corey Hill Playground, to watch the sky change color. As an unexpected and exciting bonus, we glimpsed a coyote in the trees for a few seconds before it almost magically disappeared. About ten minutes later, we laughed as a large turkey pranced around and puffed itself out to about three times its normal size while making all kinds of unearthly racket. We didn’t know if it was some sort of mating ritual or if he was trying to intimidate the crowd, but it was definitely a sight to see. Now what would have happened if the turkey and the coyote crossed paths at the same time? My husband and the boys thought the coyote would prevail. My bet was on the turkey. He looked a lot meaner and he can fly. Who knew our urban parks could easily backdrop an episode of Wildlife Kingdom?
Back at home, our three-park day wound down as I raked up dead leaves and the boys played ball in the back yard. I’m definitely thankful for our smaller yard when it comes to spring cleanup. And I’m doubly thankful we have all the Brookline parks at our fingertips so we can take full advantage of the outdoors … whether it’s biking around the lake, baking in the sun, playing ball or strolling through the woods.
What do you think? How do you use Brookline parks? Which Brookline parks are your favorites? What playgrounds are best for toddlers? Which parks accommodate bikes, balls, skateboards, or strollers? Which playgrounds provide shaded areas for weary parents and water for overheated kids and thirsty dogs? Let me know how our parks rank with you.
Tell us in the comments.
In This article
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Larz Anderson Park
Newton St & Goddard Ave, Brookline, MA -
Amory Playground
Amory St & Freeman St, Brookline, MA -
Harry Downes Field
Jamaica Rd & Pond Ave, Brookline, MA
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Eliot Little Field
Eliot St & Eliot Cres, Chestnut Hill, MA -
Corey Hill Park
170 Summit Ave, Brookline, MA
Pam Roberts
4:41 pm on Monday, April 11, 2011
I have always loved the "Rose Garden" Park (officially Winthrop Park) on Freeman and St. Paul. There is shade in the summer; plenty of seating; two sandboxes, and several swings; a sprinkler for those who want to get wet; a field next door where more active stuff can happen; plenty of runway for those with trikes or training wheels; lawn for bocce or horseshoes; and the piece de resistance: the lovely Minot Rose Garden at one end. However, there is one thing lacking: A PUBLIC TOILET! It's difficult to potty-train little ones in Brookline.
Hall's Pond Sanctuary is another family favorite. No matter what season or weather, there is always something going on in there. We usually try to head over daily during the short spring migration season to hopefully glimpse exotic travelers, such as Scarlet Tanagers, orioles, a host of red-winged blackbirds, and a multitude of warbler varieties.
Two points: as the mother of a skateboarder, I can assure you that there is no "okay" park in which to skate. For some reason, skateboarding has always had a "hooligan" label put on it; my son has found that he and his friends are usually told to "move along" by neighbors or the police. The good news is that a committee has been formed to build at least one Brookline skate spot, hopefully more.
Point #2: there aren't supposed to be dogs in any of the playgrounds. Some of the adjoining fields do have off-leash hours, but the dogs aren't allowed within the gates, especially on school grounds. ;')
caro
6:04 pm on Monday, April 11, 2011
My family greatly enjoys all the parks in Brookline. Right now my children are practicing soccer at Eliot while I sit at one of several picnic tables enjoying the glorious weather. I see many older teens playing basketball at the large court with eight hoops, two substantial tot lots, two tennis courts, a baseball diamond and another, smaller field where a family is hitting some balls. Lots of strollers, and a few dogs romping happily in the mix.
caro
6:07 pm on Monday, April 11, 2011
PS, no turkeys or coyotes, thank goodness. But I've seen these Brookline wild turkeys several times, and Adrienne, my bet is with the turkeys also. Mean sons of a gun if they want to be. But we love it when the stroll with the babies in line behind them. So cute.
tara
8:44 pm on Monday, April 11, 2011
I take my daughter to the Pierce playground since we live nearby, I like the layout of the playground equipment. We've been to quite a few of the "tot lots" in town and enjoy them all. They are always clean and well kept. No complaints.
jp
5:40 pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Does anyone know of some good bike trails in or near Brookline?
Pam Roberts
7:30 am on Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Charles River has a nice path around it. You can do what I call the Science Museum/Galleria loop: ride across the BU Bridge and just hug the river , all the way around back to BU again. Or, you can take a left after crossing the BU Bridge and travel all the way to Newton and beyond (once you get past Harvard Square, there are fewer people). A tip: if you want to keep traveling when you reach Arsenal Street, you need to proceed into that grassy park across the street. Trust me, it leads you back to the path. There are also opportunities to do some "rugged" riding down next to the river out that way. There are various bridges along the way that you can cross over for the return trip on the Boston side.