Stony Brook Reservation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stony Brook Reservation |
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Small pond within Stony Brook Reservation
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 Stony Brook Reservation
Location in Massachusetts
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| Location | Suffolk, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States |
| Area | 616 acres (249 ha) |
| Elevation | 148 ft (45 m) |
| Established | 1894 |
| Operator | Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation |
| Website | Stony Brook Reservation |
Stony Brook Reservation is a beautiful woodland park located in the cities of Boston and Dedham, Massachusetts. It's part of a bigger group of parks called the Metropolitan Park System of Greater Boston, which is managed by the state of Massachusetts. This park was created in 1894, making it one of the first five "reservations" set aside for public enjoyment by the Metropolitan Park Commission. The park also includes a special road system, the Stony Brook Reservation Parkways, which was recognized for its historical importance in 2006.
Where is Stony Brook Reservation?
This park is found in the southwest part of Boston. Its main area stretches south from Washington Street in the West Roxbury neighborhood all the way to Mother Brook in the Hyde Park neighborhood. There's also a smaller part of the park that goes southwest into Dedham.
The park is home to the beginning of a stream called Stony Brook. The land in the park goes from being quite low, about 15 feet (4.6 m) near Mother Brook, to very high. The highest point is Bellevue Hill, which is 338 feet (103 m) tall and is actually the highest spot in the entire city of Boston!
How the Park Was Created
The idea for connecting parks around Boston came from a landscape architect named Charles Eliot. He learned a lot from Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed many famous parks. Eliot dreamed of creating a large network of parks that would stretch beyond Boston.
In the 1890s, Eliot helped start two important groups: The Trustees of Reservations and the public Metropolitan Parks Commission. In 1893, the Metropolitan Park Commission bought the first five areas for this new park system. These first parks included Beaver Brook, Blue Hills, Hemlock Gorge, Middlesex Fells, and of course, Stony Brook Reservation.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Stony Brook Reservation offers many activities for visitors to enjoy. You can explore the park on its hiking and biking trails, which are great for getting some exercise and enjoying nature. If you like fishing, you can try your luck at Turtle Pond. The park also has athletic fields for sports, tennis courts, an ice skating rink for winter fun, and a swimming pool for cooling off in the summer.
