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Newton: The Fields of Newton Walking Map

By WalkMassachusetts | January 1, 2018

Imagining fields in today’s Newton takes a giant leap of faith. Yet it is possible for a sensitive walker to trace the underlying structure of the community by exploring its topography, its oldest roads, and the residential buildings that blanket the area. You can find vestiges of the old fields and in the spacious settings of institutions built on large parcels.

Newton’s flat or gently rolling topography and relatively fertile soil kept farming attractive here for more than two hundred years. Rocky of hilly areas that could not be made into fields became woodlots for timber growing and harvesting.

When the railroad arrived and commuting began in about 1850, however, rows of housing took the place of many of the fields. Today the development of Newton’s fields can often be dated by examining variants of architectural styles. Indeed, this walk is a virtual primer on residential architecture: you’ll pass styles ranging from Stick to Colonial to Queen Anne to Shingle.

Click for “WalkBoston Newton Walking Map” on Google Maps

Melrose High School/Middle School Campus Bicycle and Pedestrian Accessibility Project: Final Report

By WalkMassachusetts | January 1, 2018

WalkBoston and WatsonActive observed Middle School/High School arrival on April 25 and 27, 2017. Dismissal was not observed, as the traffic and safety issues identified by the key informants were focused on arrival. Additional infrastructure observations were also made.

The City Engineer requested a preliminary report recommending a project for possible inclusion in the City’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. WalkBoston and WatsonActive delivered a report of infrastructure recommendations for Melrose Street on April 28, 2017.

With the assistance of the MassDOT Safe Routes to School Program, online travel surveys were administered for both the High School and Middle School. These surveys collected information about how far away from school students live and their travel modes in the morning and afternoon. An additional parking survey was administered only to High School students who drive themselves to school. The High School travel and parking surveys were administered to students during class on June 6, 2017.

The Middle School travel survey was made available to Middle School parents from May 24 to June 12, 2017. Due to low initial participation, the Middle School travel survey was re-administered from June 14-30, 2017.

High School student focus groups were conducted on June 13, 2017 at Melrose High School.

Read the full report here:

WalkBoston-MelroseCampusBikePedProject-Final Report

Downtown Chelsea and Surroundings Walking Map

By WalkMassachusetts | January 1, 2018

An unexpected delight, Chelsea offers a glorious setting, restored downtown, civic center, and hilly views of the harbor and downtown skyline. Looming over the city is the Tobin Bridge–a dramatic landmark that is stunning seen from below. The bridge and harbor setting highlight Chelsea’s traditional role as a gateway into Boston.

Chelsea fronts on Boston Harbor, at the merging of two rivers–the Mystic and Chelsea Creek. This location has made it a natural way for products and people traveling into Boston. As the metro area has grown, Chelsea has been a welcome haven for immigrants, providing inexpensive housing, ample job opportunities, and supportive social services.

This walk covers Chelsea end to end, ranging from Admiral Hill to Powderhorn Hill, both capped by old military hospitals. Along the way you will see a dynamic city, always open to diversity. Look for the influence of ethnic traditions on the street life, restaurants, and shops in this small gateway to Boston.

Click for WalkBoston’s Downtown Chelsea and Surroundings Walking Map on Google Maps

Wakefield: Lake Quannapowitt Walking Map

By WalkMassachusetts | January 1, 2018

Wakefield is an attractive, breezy town overlooking Lake Quannapowitt. The town feels more like a self-sustained commercial center than a typical suburb. Once a prosperous center manufacturing wicker, cane, and rattan products, Wakefield has now arranged its downtown buildings into a civic center on the banks of the lake. Several ancient restored houses reinforce the fact that Wakefield is in fact a very old community–first settled by Europeans in 1639.

The town was dramatically changed when Cyrus Wakefield moved from Boston in 1851, relocating and enlarging his phenomenally successful Wakefield Rattan Company, which popularized the use of wicker in the United States. When he offered to build the community a new town hall in 1868, the town renamed itself for him.

These days technology industries have replaced manufacturing. This walk explores the community’s ancient center and winds around lovely Lake Quannapowitt to return its beginning.

Click for “WalkBoston’s Wakefield Map” on Google Maps

Boston Comment Letters from 2017 and Earlier

By WalkMassachusetts | December 25, 2017

WalkBoston reviews selected development and transportation projects that are located in areas of particular importance to people walking, or that could have impacts on many existing (or future) pedestrians. Comment letters are submitted to the appropriate state or local public agencies.