Blue Hills Reservation is a state park located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts
. Managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, its territory extends into the communities of Milton
, Quincy
, Braintree
, Canton
, Randolph
, and Dedham
in the southern Greater Boston area.
Description
Blue Hills Reservation (commonly referred to by locals simply as
"the Blue Hills") is a 7,000 acre (28 km²) park primarily used
for
hiking 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 Blue Hills' varied terrain and scenic views, in combination
with the reservation's 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
forests,
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.[223337]
Located a
few miles from downtown Boston
, the
reservation has the distinction of being the largest conservation
land within a major metropolitan
area.
History
Blueish rocks on Blue Hill.
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.
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. Sixteen historic structures listed on the
National Register of
Historic Places tell the fascinating tales of Native Americans,
explorers,
farmers,
quarry workers and
inventors.
Recreational opportunities
See also
References
External links
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