Blue Hills Reservation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Hills Reservation |
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Trail on Great Blue Hill, the tallest point in the reservation
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 Blue Hills Reservation
Location in Massachusetts
Blue Hills Reservation
Location in the United States
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| Location | Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States |
| Area | 7,000 acres (28 km2) |
| Elevation | 633 ft (193 m) |
| Established | 1893 |
| Administrator | Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation |
The Blue Hills Reservation is a huge natural park covering about 7,000 acres (that's like 5,300 football fields!). It's located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, just ten miles south of Boston. This amazing park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. It stretches across several towns, including Milton, Quincy, and Canton.
The Blue Hills Reservation is one of the biggest areas of untouched nature near the busy city of Boston. Its different landscapes and beautiful views make it a super popular spot for people who love to hike and explore the outdoors.
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History of the Blue Hills
Long ago, sailors sailing along the coast noticed that these mountains looked a bit blue. This blue color comes from a special rock called riebeckite. That's how the area got its modern name, "Blue Hills"!
The state of Massachusetts also got its name from the local Massachusett Indian tribe. They called the hill massa-adchu-es-et, which means "place of the great hill."
In 1893, the land for the Blue Hills Reservation was bought by the Metropolitan Parks Commission. This made it one of the very first places in Massachusetts set aside for public fun and recreation.
A cool tradition called First Day Hikes started here in 1992. These hikes are a way to celebrate New Year's Day by getting outside and enjoying nature. The idea became so popular that by the 2010s, state parks all over the country were hosting their own First Day Hikes!
Plants and Animals of Blue Hills
The Blue Hills Reservation is home to many different kinds of nature. You can find marshes, swamps, thick forests, and open meadows. There's even a special Atlantic white cedar bog!
This diverse environment means lots of different plants and animals live here. Some rare animals, like the timber rattlesnake and copperhead snake, call the reservation home. These snakes are protected to help them survive.
You might also spot beautiful dogwood flowers and lady's slipper orchids. Keep an eye out for white-tailed deer, clever coyotes, wild turkey, and speedy red fox. Look up, and you might see turkey vultures soaring high above!
Blue Hills Climate
The weather in the Blue Hills is typical for most of New England. It has what scientists call a humid continental climate. This means summers are short but can get very warm, with comfortable nights. Winters are short, but they bring a lot of snow and cloudy days. Rain and snow fall pretty consistently throughout the year.
| Climate data for Blue Hills Reservation (Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory), 1891−2010 normals, extremes 1885−present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 68 (20) |
68 (20) |
89 (32) |
94 (34) |
94 (34) |
99 (37) |
100 (38) |
101 (38) |
99 (37) |
88 (31) |
81 (27) |
74 (23) |
101 (38) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 33.6 (0.9) |
34.8 (1.6) |
43.4 (6.3) |
54.9 (12.7) |
66.3 (19.1) |
74.6 (23.7) |
80.0 (26.7) |
77.9 (25.5) |
70.9 (21.6) |
60.5 (15.8) |
48.8 (9.3) |
37.4 (3.0) |
56.9 (13.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 25.7 (−3.5) |
26.4 (−3.1) |
34.4 (1.3) |
44.7 (7.1) |
55.3 (12.9) |
64.1 (17.8) |
69.7 (20.9) |
68.1 (20.1) |
61.2 (16.2) |
51.1 (10.6) |
40.6 (4.8) |
29.8 (−1.2) |
47.6 (8.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.4 (−7.6) |
18.9 (−7.3) |
27.0 (−2.8) |
36.5 (2.5) |
46.4 (8.0) |
55.4 (13.0) |
61.5 (16.4) |
60.3 (15.7) |
53.6 (12.0) |
43.4 (6.3) |
33.7 (0.9) |
22.9 (−5.1) |
39.8 (4.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −16 (−27) |
−21 (−29) |
−5 (−21) |
6 (−14) |
27 (−3) |
36 (2) |
44 (7) |
39 (4) |
28 (−2) |
21 (−6) |
5 (−15) |
−19 (−28) |
−21 (−29) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.24 (108) |
3.95 (100) |
4.61 (117) |
4.06 (103) |
3.70 (94) |
3.69 (94) |
3.64 (92) |
4.08 (104) |
3.94 (100) |
3.97 (101) |
4.36 (111) |
4.39 (112) |
48.63 (1,236) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 16.0 (41) |
16.1 (41) |
11.7 (30) |
2.9 (7.4) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.3 (0.76) |
2.6 (6.6) |
11.4 (29) |
61.1 (156.01) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 132.1 | 146.7 | 174.0 | 185.6 | 220.2 | 231.8 | 258.1 | 242.5 | 204.1 | 182.1 | 133.3 | 125.9 | 2,236.4 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 46.3 | 50.9 | 48.5 | 47.9 | 50.4 | 52.7 | 58.0 | 58.7 | 56.7 | 55.1 | 47.0 | 45.9 | 51.5 |
| Source: Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center | |||||||||||||
Cool Places to Visit
Great Blue Hill Observatory
The highest spot in the reservation is Great Blue Hill in Milton. On top of this hill, you'll find the historic Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory. This observatory was built in 1885 and is the oldest place in the United States that has continuously recorded weather data. From its tower, you can see amazing views of Boston and the areas around it. The tower and observatory are important historical sites.
Blue Hills Trailside Museum
The Blue Hills Trailside Museum is a fantastic place to learn about local wildlife. It has both indoor and outdoor exhibits where you can see animals up close. The museum first opened in 1959. Today, the Massachusetts Audubon Society runs the museum, teaching visitors all about the nature of the Blue Hills.
Houghton's Pond Recreation Area
Houghton's Pond is a lovely pond located right inside the Blue Hills Reservation. It's a popular spot for swimming and having fun, especially during the summer months.
Fun Things to Do
The Blue Hills Reservation is a perfect place for outdoor adventures! Most people come here for hiking and mountain biking on its many trails.
When winter arrives, the fun doesn't stop! You can go snowshoeing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and cross country skiing. There's even a special ski area on Great Blue Hill that's usually open from December to March.
During warmer months, you can try rock climbing in certain areas or go horseback riding. Houghton's Pond and nearby Ponkapoag Pond are great for swimming and relaxing in the summer.
Other activities include boating (without motors), camping, fishing, picnicking, and playing sports on the fields. You can also go ice skating in winter, join special nature programs, or let younger kids play at the playground near the Hillside Street entrance to Houghton's Pond.
Images for kids
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Blue Hills State Police Station H-7
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Blue Hills Reservation Parkways
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Brookwood Farm
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Chickatawbut Observation Tower
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Comfort Station
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Eliot Memorial Bridge
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Great Blue Hill Observation Tower
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Great Blue Hill Weather Observatory
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Massachusetts Hornfels-Braintree Slate Quarry
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Metropolitan District Commission Stable
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Old Barn
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Ponkapoag Camp of Appalachian Mountain Club
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Refreshment Pavilion
