Blue Hills Reservation

Blue Hills Reservation is a Massachusetts state park located in Milton, Quincy, Braintree, Canton, Randolph, and Dedham. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Description

Blue Hills Reservation (commonly referred to simply as "the Blue Hills") is a 7,000 acre (28 km²) park primarily used for hiking and mountain biking.

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. [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.

History

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 those 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

*Boating (non-motorized)
*Camping
*Educational/interpretive programs
*Fishing
*Hiking
*Horseback riding trails
*Ice skating
*Mountain biking
*Picnicking
*Playing fields
*Rock climbing
*Skiing, cross-country and downhill

References

External links

*Park Website: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/blue.htm
* [http://www.widewall.com/ Panoramic photo of the blue hills]
*The [http://www.bluehill.org/ Blue Hill Observatory] Meteorological Observatory Official Site
* [http://www.massaudubon.org Massachusetts Audubon Society]
*The [http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Blue_Hills/index.php Blue Hills Trailside Museum]
* [http://www.thenewbluehills.com Blue Hills Ski Area] Ski Area Official Site
* [http://www.friendsofthebluehills.org/ Friends of the Blue Hills] , a community preservation group
* [http://www.thisplaceiknow.com/place_view.cfm?PlaceID=262 thisplaceiknow.com entry for Blue Hills Reservation]