Pine Banks facts for kids
Pine Banks is a large park covering about 107.5 acres. It is located in two cities, Malden and Melrose, in Massachusetts. A long time ago, the former Mayor of Malden, Elisha S. Converse, gave this land to be used as a public park forever. Both cities share ownership and responsibility for the park. A group called the Board of Trustees manages the park. Both Malden and Melrose have an equal say in how the park is run.
Before it became a park, the Massachusett Native American tribe lived in this area. Later, in the early 1700s, the Lynde family lived here. After that, it became the public park we know today.
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How Pine Banks Was Formed
The land at Pine Banks was shaped over millions of years. Ancient volcanoes, which are now quiet, and earthquakes helped create the rocky landscape. Because of this, you can see many rocky cliffs all around the park. There is even a fault line, which is a crack in the Earth's crust, just south of the park.
Thousands of years ago, huge sheets of ice called glaciers moved across the land. As these glaciers melted and moved back, they left behind a special kind of ridge called an esker. You can still see this esker in the park as a raised path.
Mount Ephraim: The Highest Point
The biggest cliff in Pine Banks is called Mount Ephraim. It is made of solid rock and rises about 40 to 50 feet straight up. From the top of Mount Ephraim, you can see a great view of the entire park. It is the highest spot in Pine Banks, but there are also other smaller hills and cliffs.
Ponds and Creeks
South of Mount Ephraim, there is a small, shallow pond. Sometimes people called it Island Pond, but usually, it doesn't have a specific name. The edges of the pond are quite marshy. This makes it a perfect home for animals like frogs, turtles, and snakes. It is very unlikely that any fish live in this shallow pond.
Besides the pond, Pine Banks also has other small creeks and wet areas. One of these small creeks used to connect to the Malden River.
Fun Things to Do at Pine Banks
Pine Banks is not just a natural forest; it's also a great place for fun activities. In the middle of the park, close to the pond, there is a playground for kids. It has swings, slides, and other fun equipment. The playground also has two long picnic tables with a roof over them. Many birthday parties are held here, but you need to book them in advance.
Sports Fields
North of the wooded area, you will find several sports fields. There is one softball field and two full-size baseball fields. There is also a quarter-mile track with a soccer field inside it. A rugby field has also been recently updated. Many sports events, including soccer games, take place on these fields. Bright lights allow games to be played even at night. Parking is available very close to the fields.
Past Attractions
Pine Banks once had a golf course. This course was located where the sports fields are today. It is no longer there.
There was also a small zoo in the park a long time ago. It was home to animals like goats, donkeys, peacocks, and ducks. The zoo was removed in the early to mid-1990s.
The park also has a rugby field that meets international rules. It is the home field for the Mystic River Rugby Club. This team plays Rugby Union and was the 2018 Division 1 champion in USA Rugby.
Images for kids
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Playground Area
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A view from atop Mount Ephraim
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A view of a creek from a small footbridge
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A sunset as seen through trees in Pine Banks
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a conjoined tree in Pine Banks Park
