Boston: Charles River/North Station Map
The pedestrian/bicycle bridge linking the Charles River Basin and Boston Harbor is the centerpiece of the new riverside park system near North Station. WalkBoston played a critical role in galvanizing support to assure its construction. When hope for construction by the Central Artery Project was failing in 2005, WalkBoston led a walk with community and agency leaders highlighting that the riverside trails to the new parks would dead-end without a bridge over the rail tracks. The walk led to Globe and Herald editorials that revitalized widespread interest and encouraged the state to seek funding. The bridge was completed in 2012.
The banks of the Charles River between the Museum of Science and Boston Harbor were once heavily industrialized with a landscape of railyards, polluted drainage ditches, wharf warehouses, and no walking access to the river. Dubbed the “Lost Half Mile” by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the construction of the Central Artery’s Zakim Bridge and its ramps high above the river brought an opportunity for a new riverfront, with 40 acres of new parks, a skate park, two housing towers, and the U.S. headquarters for the Education First company.
The reclaimed Half Mile is the site of a beautiful new walking facility: the North Bank Bridge, a 690-foot pathway that curves under the Zakim Bridge and over the MBTA commuter rails that used to be an impassable barrier. The bridge is one of three that are planned. The second will be a walkway attached to the MBTA rail bridge over the river into North Station. The third, a South Bank Bridge, will connect Charles River walkways along the Boston side of the river to the HarborWalk in a richly historic and highly visited area.
Click for “Charles River/North Station Walking Map” on Google Maps
Boston: City Routes and Downtown Map
Walking in Boston is easy and fun, and the more you walk, the better it is for you. Every hour of brisk walking can add two hours to your life. And brisk walking means bring your sneakers to match the times on this map! Many popular destinations are no more than a 10-minute walk away – and many are closer. You’ll be surprised how short the walks are – from subway stops, commuter rail stations and major thoroughfares to all points of interest in Back Bay, Downtown, Waterfront and South Boston Seaport.
Franklin Walking Map
You can go anywhere on foot. Many destinations in Franklin are no more than a 10-minute walk apart – and many are even closer than that. You’ll be surprised how short the walks are – from homes, schools, downtown businesses and shopping centers to all parts of town.
It’s an easy and fun exercise. A walk can be a social activity – bring your spouse, your dog, a friend or a coworker along. A walk can help you clear your head and reduce stress. It can be long or short, spontaneous or planned in advance.
Walking is a part of virtually every trip – alone or combined with driving or cycling. It can also build stronger communities. Pedestrian activity makes residential areas more neighborly and commercial areas more vibrant.
With minute-increment markers, this map makes it easy to time your walks. Find two destinations that are 10 minutes apart. Vary the route to keep it interesting. Then try walking out 10 minutes and back 10 minutes for a 20-minute walk..
Boston: Dorchester Walking Map
Walking distances are shorter than you imagine. This two sided map gives you walking routes in both North and South Dorchester showing walkers just how walkable Dorchester really is.
Belmont Walking Map
Belmont is an ideal community for walking, with its varied neighborhoods, hilly terrain and vibrant commercial areas. The town was once known for farms and market gardens growing fruits, vegetables and flowers. Historic houses, barns and carriage houses still exist here. Our trails through wooded open space connecting to regional trails offer a choice of wonderful walks. Our town is compact and our commercial areas, with a variety of shopping and dining streets, are easy to walk to and explore.
Click for “WalkBoston’s Belmont Walking Map” on Google Maps