Blue Hills Reservation
Encyclopedia
Blue Hills Reservation is a state park
in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
. Managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
, it extends into Milton
, Quincy
, Braintree
, Canton
, Randolph
, and Dedham
south of Boston
.
and mountain biking
. It is also used for both downhill skiing and cross country skiing during winter, and rock climbing
(in certain areas) and horseback riding during permissible months.
The park's varied terrain and scenic views, in combination with its proximity to Boston, make it a popular destination for hikers from the metropolitan area. The highest point within the reservation, Great Blue Hill
in Milton, is the site of a historic weather observatory
whose tower offers views of Boston and the surrounding area.
Between approximately December and March, Great Blue Hill offers a ski area
. Houghton's Pond
and nearby Ponkapoag Pond are popular swimming and recreation areas during the summer.
The ecology
of the Blue Hills is diverse and includes marshes, swamps, upland and bottomland forest
s, meadows, and an Atlantic White Cedar bog
. A number of endangered species
in Massachusetts, such as the Timber Rattlesnake, reside in the reservation. Other flora and fauna include dogwood
, lady's slipper
, coyotes, turkey vultures, and copperheads
.
The reservation has affiliations with the Massachusetts Audubon Society
(named for the famous ornithologist, John James Audubon
). It includes the Trailside Museum, which includes indoor and outdoor animal exhibits. The Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
, atop Great Blue Hill, was founded in 1885, and is the oldest continuous weather recording station in the United States.http://www.bluehill.org/
Located a few miles from downtown Boston
, the reservation has the distinction of being the largest conservation land within a major metropolitan area
.
The Blue Hills were so named by early European explorers who, while sailing along the coastline, noticed the bluish hue on the slopes when viewed from a distance. The blueish color comes from the presence of Riebeckite
in the stone
More than ten thousand years before the Europeans arrived, Native Americans
made their home in the hills. The natives referred to themselves as Massachusett, or "people of the great hills". The Commonwealth of Massachusetts derives its name from this Native American name.
In 1893, the Metropolitan Parks Commission
purchased the lands of Blue Hills Reservation as one of the first areas set aside for public recreation. Today, the reservation is rich in both archaeological and historic resources.
Thirteen listings on the National Register of Historic Places
tell the fascinating tales of Native Americans, explorers
, farmers, quarry workers
and inventors.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
Norfolk County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Adams National Historical Park* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area * Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site* John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site-Demographics:...
. Managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Department of Conservation and Recreation (Massachusetts)
The Department of Conservation and Recreation is a state agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, situated in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. It is best known for its parks and parkways. As of May 24, 2011 the Commissioner of the DCR is Edward M. Lambert, Jr...
, it extends into Milton
Milton, Massachusetts
Milton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States and part of the Greater Boston area. The population was 27,003 at the 2010 census. Milton is the birthplace of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and architect Buckminster Fuller. Milton also has the highest percentage of...
, Quincy
Quincy, Massachusetts
Quincy is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Its nicknames are "City of Presidents", "City of Legends", and "Birthplace of the American Dream". As a major part of Metropolitan Boston, Quincy is a member of Boston's Inner Core Committee for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council...
, Braintree
Braintree, Massachusetts
The Town of Braintree is a suburban city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Although officially known as a town, Braintree adopted a municipal charter, effective 2008, with a mayor-council form of government and is considered a city under Massachusetts law. The population was 35,744...
, Canton
Canton, Massachusetts
Canton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,561 at the 2010 census. Canton is part of Greater Boston, about 15 miles southwest of downtown Boston.- History :...
, Randolph
Randolph, Massachusetts
The Town of Randolph is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 32,112. Randolph adopted a new charter effective January 2010 providing for a council-manager form of government instead of the traditional town meeting...
, and Dedham
Dedham, Massachusetts
Dedham is a town in and the county seat of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 24,729 at the 2010 census. It is located on Boston's southwest border. On the northwest it is bordered by Needham, on the southwest by Westwood and on the southeast by...
south of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
Description
Blue Hills Reservation (commonly referred to by area residents as "Blue Hills") is a 7000 acres (2,832.8 ha) park primarily used for hikingHiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
. It is also used for both downhill skiing and cross country skiing during winter, and rock climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
(in certain areas) and horseback riding during permissible months.
The park's varied terrain and scenic views, in combination with its proximity to Boston, make it a popular destination for hikers from the metropolitan area. The highest point within the reservation, Great Blue Hill
Great Blue Hill
Great Blue Hill is a hill of 635 feet located within the Blue Hills Reservation in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Massachusetts, 10 miles southwest of Boston. It is the highest point in Norfolk County...
in Milton, is the site of a historic weather observatory
Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
The Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory, also known as Great Blue Hill Weather Observatory, Blue Hill Weather Observatory, or simply the Blue Hill Observatory, in Milton, Massachusetts is the foremost structure associated with the history of weather observations in the United States...
whose tower offers views of Boston and the surrounding area.
Between approximately December and March, Great Blue Hill offers a ski area
Blue Hills Ski Area
Blue Hills Ski Area is located on the western face of Great Blue Hill in Canton, Massachusetts. This land is part of the Blue Hills Reservation, a state park managed by the DCR....
. Houghton's Pond
Houghton's Pond
Houghton's Pond is a spring-fed kettle hole pond in Milton, Massachusetts, south of Boston. Like many ponds and lakes in the United States, it was formed by receding glaciers about 10,000 years ago...
and nearby Ponkapoag Pond are popular swimming and recreation areas during the summer.
The ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
of the Blue Hills is diverse and includes marshes, swamps, upland and bottomland forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s, meadows, and an Atlantic White Cedar bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
. A number of endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
in Massachusetts, such as the Timber Rattlesnake, reside in the reservation. Other flora and fauna include dogwood
Dogwood
The genus Cornus is a group of about 30-60 species of woody plants in the family Cornaceae, commonly known as dogwoods. Most dogwoods are deciduous trees or shrubs, but a few species are nearly herbaceous perennial subshrubs, and a few of the woody species are evergreen...
, lady's slipper
Lady's Slipper
Lady's slipper orchids, lady slipper orchids or slipper orchids are the orchids in the subfamily Cypripedioidea, which includes the genera Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Selenipedium...
, coyotes, turkey vultures, and copperheads
Agkistrodon contortrix
Agkistrodon contortrix is a species of venomous snake found in North America, a member of the Crotalinae subfamily. The more common name for the species is "copperhead". The behavior of Agkistrodon contortrix may lead to accidental encounters with humans...
.
The reservation has affiliations with the Massachusetts Audubon Society
Massachusetts Audubon Society
The Massachusetts Audubon Society, founded in 1896 by Harriet Hemenway and headquartered in Lincoln, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to "Protecting the nature of Massachusetts." Mass Audubon is independent of the National Audubon Society, and in fact was founded...
(named for the famous ornithologist, John James Audubon
John James Audubon
John James Audubon was a French-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. He was notable for his expansive studies to document all types of American birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats...
). It includes the Trailside Museum, which includes indoor and outdoor animal exhibits. The Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
The Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory, also known as Great Blue Hill Weather Observatory, Blue Hill Weather Observatory, or simply the Blue Hill Observatory, in Milton, Massachusetts is the foremost structure associated with the history of weather observations in the United States...
, atop Great Blue Hill, was founded in 1885, and is the oldest continuous weather recording station in the United States.http://www.bluehill.org/
Located a few miles from downtown Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, the reservation has the distinction of being the largest conservation land within a major metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
.
History
Riebeckite
Riebeckite is a sodium-rich member of the amphibole group of silicate minerals, chemical formula [][Na2][32][2|Si8O22]. It forms a series with magnesioriebeckite. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, usually as long prismatic crystals showing a diamond-shaped cross section, but also in...
in the stone
More than ten thousand years before the Europeans arrived, Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
made their home in the hills. The natives referred to themselves as Massachusett, or "people of the great hills". The Commonwealth of Massachusetts derives its name from this Native American name.
In 1893, the Metropolitan Parks Commission
Department of Conservation and Recreation (Massachusetts)
The Department of Conservation and Recreation is a state agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, situated in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. It is best known for its parks and parkways. As of May 24, 2011 the Commissioner of the DCR is Edward M. Lambert, Jr...
purchased the lands of Blue Hills Reservation as one of the first areas set aside for public recreation. Today, the reservation is rich in both archaeological and historic resources.
Thirteen listings on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
tell the fascinating tales of Native Americans, explorers
Exploration
Exploration is the act of searching or traveling around a terrain for the purpose of discovery of resources or information. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans...
, farmers, quarry workers
Quarry
A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are generally used for extracting building materials, such as dimension stone, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, and gravel. They are often collocated with concrete and asphalt plants due to the requirement...
and inventors.
Recreational opportunities
- BoatingBoatingBoating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
(non-motorized) - CampingCampingCamping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
- Educational/interpretive programs
- Fishing
- HikingHikingHiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
- Horseback ridingEquestrianismEquestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
trails - Ice skatingIce skatingIce skating is moving on ice by using ice skates. It can be done for a variety of reasons, including leisure, traveling, and various sports. Ice skating occurs both on specially prepared indoor and outdoor tracks, as well as on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water, such as lakes and...
- Mountain bikingMountain bikingMountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
- Picnicking
- Playing fields
- Rock climbingRock climbingRock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
- SkiingSkiingSkiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
, cross-country and downhill
National Register of Historic Places listings
The Reservation has 13 National Register sites:- The Park HeadquartersBlue Hills HeadquartersBlue Hills Headquarters is a historic building on Hillside Street in Milton, Massachusetts.It was built in 1904 as the headquarters building for the Blue Hills Reservation, which it still is....
- Blue Hills Reservation ParkwaysBlue Hills Reservation ParkwaysThe Blue Hills Reservation Parkways is a group of historic parkways in the Blue Hills Reservation. The system was founded in 1894 and designed by Charles Eliot...
, throughout the park - Brookwood FarmBrookwood FarmBrookwood Farm is a historic farm on Blue Hill River Road in Canton, Massachusetts. Some of its fields, but none of the buildings, are in Milton. It is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation....
and its Old BarnOld Barn (Canton, Massachusetts)Old Barn is a historic barn off of Blue Hill River Road in Canton, Massachusetts.It was built in 1690 and is the oldest building on Brookwood Farm. It is currently undergoing a major restoration undertaken by the North Bennet Street School. They have removed the oldest section for major work to... - Chickatawbut Observation TowerChickatawbut Observation TowerThe Chickatawbut Observation Tower is a historic tower on Chickatawbut Road in Quincy, Massachusetts.Unlike Great Blue Hill Observation Tower, a similar tower at the opposite end of the Blue Hills Reservation, Chickatawbut tower is not open to the public...
- The Comfort StationComfort StationComfort Station is a historic "sanitary" on Blue Hill Avenue in Milton, Massachusetts.Although finely detailed in Swiss Chalet style, this is a very simple building, built in 1904 for a single purpose which it still performs today...
on Blue Hill Avenue - Eliot Memorial BridgeEliot Memorial BridgeThe Eliot Memorial Bridge is a footbridge which was built in 1904 in memory of Charles Eliot, landscape architect to the Metropolitan Park Commission...
near the top of Great Blue Hill - Great Blue Hill Observation Tower near the top of Great Blue Hill
- Great Blue Hill Weather Observatory at the top of Great Blue Hill
- Massachusetts Hornfels-Braintree Slate QuarryMassachusetts Hornfels-Braintree Slate QuarryThe Massachusetts Hornfels-Braintree Slate Quarry is an archaeological site in Milton, Massachusetts. It consists of a series of pits and trenches used from 7,000 B.P. until the early 17th century as a source of slate and hornfels used for chipped and ground tools...
, an archeological site - The MDC Police stableMetropolitan District Commission StableThe Metropolitan District Commission Stable is a historic stable on Hillside Street in Milton, Massachusetts.It was built in 1908 for the Metropolitan District Commission Police and the Massachusetts State Police mounted units. In 2004, the mounted units were disbanded and the stable was emptied...
- Ponkapoag Camp of Appalachian Mountain ClubPonkapoag Camp of Appalachian Mountain ClubPonkapoag Camp of Appalachian Mountain Club is a historic camp of the Appalachian Mountain Club in Randolph, Massachusetts.The camp was built in 1920 and added to the National Historic Register in 1980.-References:...
- The Refreshment PavilionRefreshment PavilionThe Refreshment Pavilion is a historic refreshment stand at Houghton's Pond in Milton, Massachusetts.It was designed by the firm of Stickney and Austin who also designed four other NRHP structures in the Blue Hills Reservation:...
at Houghton's Pond
External links
- The Blue Hills Reservation - DCR website
- Great Blue Hill HazeCam Current Panoramic Photo from Observatory
- Blue Hill Observatory - Meteorological Observatory Official Site
- Blue Hills Trailside Museum - The Massachusetts Audubon Society
- Friends of the Blue Hills, a community preservation group