Cutler Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cutler Park
A boardwalk crossing the marsh at the southern end of the park
Cutler Park Location in Massachusetts
Location	Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States
Area	739 acres (299 ha)
Elevation	89 ft (27 m)
Established	1962
Named for	State Senator Leslie B. Cutler
Operator	Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Website	Cutler Park Reservation

Cutler Park is a cool nature spot and a fun place to visit in Needham, Massachusetts. It's located right between a big highway (Route 128/I-95) and the Charles River. This state park covers about 739 acres. It has the biggest freshwater marsh left on the middle part of the Charles River.

You can walk on special wooden paths called boardwalks that go right through the marsh. Over 100 different kinds of birds have been seen here! The park is part of a bigger plan by the town of Needham. They want to connect 18 public areas with 35 new trails. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation takes care of Cutler Park.

Discovering Cutler Park's Past

Have you ever wondered how places change over time? Cutler Park has an interesting history.

How Boston's Back Bay was Formed

If you look along the west side of Kendrick Pond, you can still see where soil was dug up a long time ago. This happened in the 1800s. The soil was used to fill in an area in Boston called the Back Bay. This created new land where water used to be.

To move all that soil, a railroad line was built. It went right into Boston. You can still see some of the old train tracks. They are near the north entrance of the park on Kendrick Street.

The Marsh and Old Water Systems

The large marsh you see in the park today isn't completely natural. It was created in the 1890s. This happened when the Silk Mill Dam in Newton Upper Falls caused flooding.

In the past, these wet areas were important. People used them for wells and to get water for farming. You can still find parts of old filter ponds, ditches, and water systems. The state bought the land for Cutler Park in 1962.

Exploring Cutler Park's Landscape

Cutler Park is a mix of different natural areas. Most of the park is in Needham. The southern part is in Dedham. There's also a strip of land on the Newton/Boston side of the Charles River. This area runs from Nahanton Street in Newton down to Millennium Park in Boston.

Wetlands and Forests

A lot of Cutler Park is made up of marsh or wetland. These are areas where the land is often wet. The rest of the park is forest. Most of the park's trails go through these wooded areas.

Boardwalks and Ponds

The Blue Heron Trail is a special path. In two places, it goes right through the marsh. You can walk or bike on wooden boardwalks over the water. At the north end of the park, there's a trail that goes around Kendrick Pond. This pond is also called Cutler Pond.

Railroad and Trails

A railroad line runs through the southern part of the park. It's on a raised path. This line is mostly used by the MBTA Commuter Rail trains. A trail runs right next to the railroad tracks. It goes across the whole width of the park. There's even a tunnel under the railroad. This tunnel lets you cross to the other side of the tracks.

Fun Things to Do at Cutler Park

Cutler Park offers many ways to enjoy nature and get some exercise.

• Walking and Hiking: There are lots of trails perfect for a walk or a longer hike.
• Bird Watching: With over 100 bird species, it's a great spot for bird watchers.
• Mountain Biking: If you like a challenge, there are tough singletracks for mountain bikers. You'll find these between the pond and Route 128.
• Cross-Country Skiing: When it snows, the trails are great for cross-country skiing.
• Fishing: You can also go fishing in the park's waters.
• Canoeing: The Charles River next to the park is perfect for canoeing.

Images for kids

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  Cutler Pond

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  Boardwalk across Great Plain

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  Swans in Cutler Pond

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  MBTA commuter tracks through park

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  Boaters in Charles River adjacent to park

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  Remains of old water supply facilities

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  Egret in the Charles River at Cutler Park