Not sure if I picked the wrong day or the wrong trail but my "hiking" experience in the Blue Hills fell short. In general, there's not great hiking around Boston unless you keep doing the same trails in Milddlesex but I had heard a lot of good things about Blue Hills so off I went. 1. The Skyline trail, for being the most popular one, was extremely poorly marked. I'm glad I downloaded the AllTrails map ahead of time for the route because even with the map, I got turned around several times and had to scurry forward and back to try to find the markings. At one point, the markings disappeared completely, i.e., I was definitely off-trail, and I couldn't find my way back without committing to another rock scramble back down, so I just consulted the map, did another trail, and cut back to the same route a few minutes later. 2. So very, very buggy. Most of the time that I was walking, I was swatting a bug, trying not to eat a bug, or actually eating a bug. Not the most pleasant of hiking conditions but something avoidable by just coming later in the season when all the bugs are dead. Passed by some lakes that looked very scenic from a distance but then, when you get close, you see it's all pretty much stagnant water/pond scum and millions of mating bugs. 3. This may be relatively minor but if you're coming from Boston, the traffic to get over here is dreadful and, again depending on which starting point you use, there aren't bathrooms available. Plan accordingly. 4. Parking was free and easy - I went with the Shea Memorial Rink in Quincy and hopped right onto the trailhead from there. 5. Hiking shoes are fine but I think this hike is doable in sneakers. Aside from a scramble here or there, the elevation was pretty gradual. Do be careful of the various roots and whatnot. I guess the lesson is: bug spray and download the trail map. Unless you're fine making a day of it and trying different trails, but even so, download the map. read more

Very well maintained trails, great views, good woods scenery for all seasons. Highly recommended; map boards at trailheads are clear, and most trails are clearly marked. read more

If you're looking for a place to go hiking near Boston, Blue Hills Reservation is the perfect spot to go to! It is just a couple miles south of Boston! There's many different trails here, though I haven't done all of them, I mainly enjoy going up from Chickatawbut Rd (towards Braintree/Quincy) and near the Milton 2B Exit on Canton Ave/Washington St. The Skyline Trail is great if you've got some time on your hands but for a short hike, I wouldn't recommend. This trail is around 3 miles and at the summit, you get a grand skyline view of Boston! On this route, you will see the Summit tower & the Observatory. In the winter time, skiing and snow tubing is very popular here. read more

Pros: Amazing for hiking and walks, fun trails and many different end routes. Cons: You can easily get lost , lots of bugs and can be muggy . But all in all for good fun and experience . read more

I did the 5 mile skyline trail loop starting near the Shea Memorial Skating Rink in late November and it was beautiful! Great views of the Boston skyline and a moderate hike given some scrambling and many off-shoots from the main path making it somewhat easy to end up on a different route. A little icy this time of year but overall an amazing and easy way to find some nature just outside of Boston! Link to trail map: https://www.mass.gov/doc/blue-hills-trail-map-guide/download read more

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Very fun hike, tougher going up than down but lovely. Took about 3 hours round trip for our group. There's also a lake and an amazing looking bbq area with even a playground so next time we will have to bring our swimsuits to cool off after a good hike. Views were stunning. read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

If you're in Boston and looking for some local hiking, this is the place! It's not quite the White Mountains, but there are plenty of trails, so you can reach a solid total elevation gain and hit a bunch of miles. I really enjoyed some of the rocky areas, but it can be a little tough to navigate if the ground is wet or slushy. I'd recommend coming in the Fall, so you can take in some foliage. It's pretty cool to look out into the distance and see the Boston skyline, as well as the harbor and the ocean just beyond it. The overall experience was seamless. Parking was pretty easy - there were a few lots right by the trailheads, so if the first one is full, just proceeed to the next one. There were also a few maps by the entrances and the trails were well marked. Pro tip: Don't miss the animal exhibits, they're worth visiting! read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Fall Foliage - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

Fun to hike with the family, although be prepared for many rocks along the way. Or you can see the rescued animals like deer, fox, eagle at the animal area up the hill! Free parking read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Near trail side museum - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

Great hike. Easy to moderate. Open year round. Plenty of parking. Great for family fun. Awesome! read more

Blue Hills Reservation - View from Eliot tower. - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

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Definitely a great area to hike around. Unfortunately after a heavy rain, the skyline trail gets flooded out!. There are lots of trails and we decided to go on another one due to the floods. There are some nice rolling hills and lake areas that offer a serene and peaceful place to explore. Certain parking lots of ample and make it easy to come. I wish it was closer to public transportation because I was only able to come because I borrowed a car from a friend. This is a great resource for Bostonians and the surrounding areas. What a beautiful green space for all to enjoy. read more

Came here during Fall and I LOVED it. Trails were not too hard, great views for seeing fall foliage, stunning trees, ponds and would def come back. However, like most hiking places this place isn't the most public transport accessible. read more

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Woot woot--gotta take advantage of all this warm weather, so I have been hitting up greater Boston trails whenever possible! Blue Hills has been on my list for awhile, and I finally was able to make the trek down there. It is definitely a large tract of land, and honestly, thank God I brought my phone which has the allTrails app on it, because unless I went straight in and back--I think I would have certainly gotten lost. As others have noted, I also found the trails to be confusingly marked--even from the offset in the parking lot. There are lots of lil shortcuts and side trails, making for endless hike options, but unless you have a map with you, oh man. The thought definitely crossed my mind that I could be wicked lost. But if you have a map, you're good. The trails are very well cleared and it is just such a lovely area. I feel like I only explored just a sampling of what this area has to offer. Looking forward to coming back. read more

More trailheads than most hiking reservations largely because its largely larger. To an inexperienced Blue Hill trekker, this may offer more variety but for the love of Pete know what you're signing up for as many of the trails are not very well-marked so getting turned around and in a place "to explore" as you find your way out is very possible. So, it's less blazed than others, but there are way more natural features: reservoirs, trickling streams, lichens on long dead trees, I think I saw a chupacabra so that was pretty cool, and other pastoral vistas. You also have the ability to feel like you're deeper in the rough, easily removing yourself from road noise and other people. Except if you decide to hang shebang around the very heavily utilized public facilities near the parking lots. Cool if you wanna bbq with literally everyone, but it's not my scene so I hit the off-beaten paths. read more

So many miles of trails, and great vuews of the mountains and even Boston. It's really beautiful in the fall when the leaves change color. There aren't a lot of signs, so I recommend bringing a map or an extra battery charger for your phone if you use an app. The only downside to getting here is that there isn't a lot of parking in peak season. If you're a rock climber, there's a cool spot to hang out with a bunch of graffiti and climb. read more

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Great hike. Did the Skyline Trail 2.7 mile loop. There were many people and Dogs on the trail but didn't get backed up anywhere. There are some steep areas but not hard. Views of Boston from the Eliot Tower was awesome. There are many trails and easy to get lost. Carry a map. read more

Blue Hills Reservation - View of Boston from Eliot tower on blue hills! - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

Probably the closest hiking trail from Boston! Recently started hiking here pretty often. There are multiple trails that run through the forest. Make sure to always keep a lookout of the color markings on the trees. We tend to do the blue and red trails. I believe it's the skyline trail. Pretty steep and narrow. Definitely got me huffing and puffing. "We travel not to escape life... but for life not to escape us" read more

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Boston created the first regional park system in the United States, of which the Blue Hills are still the largest portion and capstone. Only 10 miles from the downtown of New England's biggest city, the hills themselves are on the National Register of Historic Places. It's here from which the anglicized, Algonquin name "Massachusetts" derives! The Blue Hills are now an excellent place to take a break from the bustle and reconnect with life whether you're visiting or living in the area, and you can even access them via public transit. There are several attractions within the reservation including a museum, the oldest continuously operating weather station in the United States, and vistas of the Boston Skyline. With over 100 miles of official trails ranging in difficulty, it's easy to find a hike that works for you from the contoured Mass Audubon and DCR map. The highest point in the entire reservation is 635 ft, so don't concern too much if you're not an avid hiker. Even the most difficult trails are over before you know it, and you'll still feel accomplished! read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Great Blue Hill from the Skyline Trail - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

There is nothing better than having a little piece of paradise in your backyard Boston! Coexisting in the blue hills with hikers, off road bikers, families, and dog walkers might be the greatest challenge. I have lived in Milton for 30 years and I am amazed by the fact that the blue Hills Reservation is not utilized as much as I believe it should by the people. It is also true that the reservation is in dire need of maintenance work to be more accessible by people who are not in great shape or just young. The area around Houghton's pond is very well maintained for the families that are looking for a little beach time, of family gathering with barbecues and open spaces near the city, but other than that the rest of the reservation is falling apart. When I moved to Milton 30 years ago I would go into the blue hills and see crews of young people fixing and restoring the paths that have since Disintegrated and are no longer accessible sometimes (as the roads that are supposed to be maintained by DCR in MILTON and elsewhere are). I have been running, biking, and skiing in the trails or taking walks with my family very frequently and I have to admit that sometimes I love the fact that it is not very crowded (pre Covid-19) Now with COVID-19 and the fact that this is the only venue that is available to urbanites that have discovered the reservation, it gets a little busier than I would like it, but still I do want people to enjoy this hidden gem. I believe the biggest problem today in the blue Hills is the fact that the state is not maintaining the reservation (DCR) at all, and there are no rangers to enforce the rules (There used to be park rangers patrolling the reservation on horseback but not anymore), and the issue is that mainly off road bikers, and dog walkers are Not adhering to the laws and regulations, (dog walkers leave hundreds of little "poop bags" everywhere!!!! - how rude and uncivilized). I understand the desire for off-road biking (believe me I have biked in the Bluehills for the last 20 years) to have their playground, and I know how families are bothered by their presence, or the fact that families don't pay attention to bikers or runners and spread out on the paths without leaving any room for others. At the end of the day we all need to get along but also DCR needs to maintain the reservation, and people need to do their part. We need to keep the reservation healthy and accessible for future generations. read more

Blue Hills Reservation is a peaceful yet adventurous land reservation in Canton, MA. Close to the hustle and bustle of city life in Boston, it is the perfect place to escape. Though I have not explored nearly the extent of the entire grounds, I have climbed the Great Blue Hill on several occasions. Using the parking lot on Rt. 138 and following the blue trail up the hill, I have enjoyed some particularly fantastic views of the surrounding area. Eliot Tower and a weather observatory stand on the summit of this hill. Summiting a hill or mountain is always exciting, no matter the location. I have reached the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and granted I could see two states at one time from the top. . . reaching the top of the Great Blue Hill had equally of great views (minus the snow and freezing temperatures like Pikes Peak). The paths are well marked with rock stairs and blue dots indicating the way. The area surrounding Eliot Tower reminds me of something from a Medieval period. A stone archway bridge leads the way to the stonework tower. Picnic benches and stone fireplaces litter the grounds. Few people milling around the last time I climbed. Watch out for the wild animals that stalk the grounds and loose/slippery rocks along the paths. Be mindful of your surroundings and you can have a great time as well at this reservation! read more

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The skyline trail was a very refreshing start to the morning! Who doesn't love the feeling of reaching the top during a hike to a great view? Wish they had more challenging trails to try and more signs directing us where to go! But I'd have to say, nothing beats the sweet company of other hikers you meet along the way during the journey. Everyone is extremely friendly and warm, striking up conversations as you walk past one another! ... And did I mention the adorable dogs you get to meet on the way? Yes. If you are a dog lover, you and your dogs will love it here! read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Panorama view of the skyline at this top ! - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

Nice local park and good for some weekend day walk. We did blue dot trail about 8 miles. From some hills you can see nice view including Boston in the distance. I will come back in spring again. read more

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Blue hills are the gargantuan hills they are. The motherly mountain is so breathtakingly beautiful you can ski on it in the winter. If you are passing by please post a popping picture and share it with your pediatric pals. A Tribute To Dr. Seuss read more

Great hiking just 1 hr. south of Boston. Well-marked trails with blue blazes on trees, good range of trail difficulty. If you're here to hike, the Skyline Trail boasts many rolling hills - Hancock Hill, Hemingway Hill, and Wolcott Hill, which offer varying views along the way. Hikers reward is Blue Hills Weather Observatory at the top of Great Blue Hill, where you can take in unobstructed vistas of the entire reservation. Bonus: Houghton's Pond nearby is beautiful and offers waterfront access for family-friendly swimming. read more

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Rocks and views I've been hearing about Blue Hills Reservation for years. Some people loving it and others claiming it's not worth the time. So when some friends told me they were going I decided to tag along. It turned out to be pretty much what I expected, a nice place with some interesting geology and nice views from the top. The trails are very rocky and can be slippery in wet weather but nothing really treacherous. Just some relaxing and mellow hiking and with some pretty nice views on top, including one of Boston. An interesting feature are the number and variation of rocks and boulders. Huge ones, medium size ones and little ones, rocks everywhere. The area was heavily glaciated 15,000 years ago and many survivors remain. Everyone we met while hiking was very friendly and the location is convenient and easy to find. A nice place to get outside, see some foliage and examine some rocks. A pleasant and enjoyable place to hike just as long as you don't expect too much. read more

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The 22 Blue Hills : 1) Great Blue Hill - 635' 2) Chickatawbut Hill - 510' 3) Fenno Peak - 501' 4) Hancock Hill - 500' 5) Buck Hill - 496' 6) Hemenway Hill - 470' 7) Nahanton Hill - 470' 8) Wolcott Hill - 460' 9) Tucker Hill - 440' 10) Hawk Hill - 430' 11) Houghton Hill - 420' 12) Kitchamakin Hill - 420' 13) Boyce Hill (N) - 404' 14) Boyce Hill (S) - 400' 15) Wampatuck Hill - 353' 16) Burnt Hill - 330' 17) Fox Hill - 330' 18) Rattlesnake Hill - 310' 19) Breeze Hill - 280' 20) Little Blue Hill - 270' 21) Great Dome - 240' 22) Little Dome - 200' The Skyline Trail consists of 14 hills (listed east to west) including Rattlesnake, Wampatuck, Nahanton, Kitchmakin, Fenno, Chickatawbut, Buck, North Boyce, Tucker, Hancock, Hemenway, Wolcott, Big Blue, then Little Blue. The recommended time required to complete the Skyline Trail is 4 to 7 hours. read more

Want to hike but can't be bothered to go to NH? Well come to Blue Hills and you can have the fake mountain hike experience - all year round! Just park you car or bicycle at a trailhead, start walking and within minutes you've left suburbia and the city behind. There's not really any massive peaks to scale but Great Blue Hill (635ft) and Buck Hill (496ft) both offer splendid views of the Boston skyline, the suburban basin, the bay and Southern Mass in the other direction. I think I even saw Providence. What I definitely did see which was even cooler was a bunch of wild turkeys running along our path and later a family of deer making their way through the forest. I wasn't in NH or the Berkshires but for 30 mins from town I really felt like I'd entered a different land. read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

Yes, the view from the overlook is fantastic. And yes, there are some pretty decent trails. And, yes, it's really close to Boston... But why isn't any pointing out that this is a pickle park? Don't go alone (especially if you're not a gay man looking for a blow job behind a tree) and don't where white sneakers (it seems to be some sort of signal) and don't just sit in your car by yourself... (I can't tell you how many guys walked over to my car to have a look and walked away disappointed. - Wait... that makes me sound bad... you know what I mean). If you look around, you can find some disgusting things... used condoms... DD cups filled with you don't want to know what... I'm just saying... I've been, I'll go back... it's a neat place and there's no admission but you get what you pay for and buyer beware. read more

It's not a national park, but it's very convenient and there are some nice areas along with views of Boston. The Blue trail is challenging (no bikes- heed the sign!) and the green loop at Shea Rink is easy enough if you want a 90 minute walk. I've also ridden my mountain bike on the White and Yellow Loops from Houghton Pond. This is a nice 10 mile ride (aprox) if you combine them. There are many trailheads! The Reservation has trailheads in Canton, Milton, Randolph, Dedham and Quincy. My favorite places to park are Houghton Pond, Chickatawbut Overlook, and Shea Rink (I live in Quincy). It pays to get a map at the visitor's center. (next to State Police - just down the street from Houghton's Pond). I cannot stress this enough if you stray from the color coded trails. You likely won't die out here, but it's easy to get turned around. You don't want to be the idiot who gets lost and has to thumb a ride from Rt 24 in Randolph. read more

I spy something pink....a bag of dog poo. I spy something blue....a pair of men's underwear. I spy something black....another bag of dog poo. I spy something else black....another pair of men's underwear. That was a fun conversation to have with my 8 year old! Inquiring minds want to know: Why do men pull off and leave their drawers in the middle of the forest? As a parent, you learn to get pretty creative with your answers. Anywho, despite the few bulging bags of excrement and the signs of back woods lovin' we really enjoyed hiking through the trails! Some paths made me huff and puff, while others were quite leisurely and a tad uneventful. The skyline views are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! read more

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Peaceful easy nature hike, where have you been all my life? Just about 20-30 minutes outside the city, you have this gem of a quick day getaway that allows you to breathe a little better, appreciate a little solitude, and take in some gorgeous scenic views. There are a dozen or so different trails that range from easy to moderate around the reservation, with lakes and ponds scattered about. My friend and I hiked for a few hours around a massive pond, easily something you can do in sneakers, no hiking boots necessary. Watch out for the horse poop though--apparently a lot of people own horses around here, or maybe there's a stable nearby--but half the hiking trails feel like 100m hurdles over 2 ft piles of horse poo. It's not bad as long as you look where you're going, but I could do without the little horse momentos... We ended up checking out a Husky Race around here too...really random, but the DCR apparently hosts cool stuff like this every once in awhile (next one is happening in February, apparently!), so we got to hang out with 40 adorable huskies for part of the afternoon. If you don't want to make a trip to NH or Maine for a taste of nature, this is your best bet. So glad we discovered it on a whim. read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

The summit at Blue Hills Reservation is the highest point on the Atlantic coast, believe it or not, and probably the best hiking spot in the Boston area. There are miles and miles of trails, some easy, others more difficult, and just because these are "hills" doesn't mean they aren't challenging. Maps on site have a suggested donation, so print a map from the website and plan ahead. I proposed to my fiancé here! We hiked several hours on the north skyline trail where there are plenty of openings with scenic views. I recommend it. The south skyline trail is probably nice too, but we didn't hike that one. We could easily spend an entire day here, and we probably will again. read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Ski area - not sure if it's used in winter (10/20/12) - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

When you get overwhelmed with the busyness of city life, it's nice to get out and enjoy a hike outside of all the chaos! Blue Hills is perfect since it's only about 30 minutes from Boston, which makes taking a hike there convenient, yet refreshing :) There are literally trails EVERYWHERE, so drive around and take your pick :) The skyline trail will take you to a nice breathtaking 360 degree view of everything in the area, but wish Boston had a nice skyline to actually look it lol. Come and bring your dog, your friend, your friend's dog and just enjoy a nice outdoor adventure that will be sure to refresh your mind and body :) The trails aren't too intense, but that's okay because intensity can be saved for other things (like skydiving or bear wrestling). This place is just a convenient and relaxing getaway from the city! Hope to see you here :) read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

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Awesome place for hiking or nature walks. I went up one of the trails (started at the Trailside Museum to the observatory, trail is marked with red dots) with friends and we had a great time. The hike is not too difficult but is a little rocky. It led us to the weather observatory for a nice view. And there are some benches once you get to the top if you need a rest. I've also gone on the trails around Houghton Pond, which had super beautiful scenery with the fall foliage. I would definitely come back and visit for more hiking or to check out other trails. read more

Blue Hills never disappoints for a short or long hike in the Boston area. Great views of the city, great views of natural wooded scenery, challenging hills/rocks to climb, and easy trails for those with dogs or looking for a relaxing stroll. There are plenty of places to start a hike, I typically find a spot on the side of the road by the State Police station. Across from the station, an entrance to the trails leads you inward to several trail choices. I always go for the Skyline Trail given the challenging ups and downs throughout as well as the great views mentioned above. In the summertime, be prepared for lots of foot traffic and few places to find good parking. Like many places in the Boston area, nice days and outdoor activities always lead to crowds at the popular spots. That said - go early or stay later and you'll avoid the mid-day peaks. read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

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This is definitely a great hike with a great view and often on weekends they have events going on for everyone. The day we went up there was a Kite Festival on the top so that you had to walk up the paved trail(HUGE bonus for that) or take a complimentary shuttle from the parking lot. We walked but it really wasn't that steep and the views of the valleys and the whole area is so great to take in. The staff at the top comprised of mostly volunteers were amazing and awesome to the kids and full of good information about the area. There was a kite building and art area to put all that extra energy to good use and so much other fun stuff going on. The walk down was much easier then the walk up but the view is so worth the trip. We didn't know about the Kite Festival until we actually got there but it was a nice addition to an already beautiful trip. This place is wonderful for taken pictures and making memories. read more

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Houghton pond area - free parking(!), sandy beaches (no lifeguard), free grilling/BBQ areas, friendly visiting center, nice options of trails with varying difficulty, very peaceful Also really close to Boston. The skyline trail gives you a great view and does not disappoint! read more

The weather was above average; therefore, I went on a solo foliage trip. The Blue Hills was a perfect choice. I arrived at Houghton's Pond just as families were departing to put on their Halloween costumes. Timing really does matter in life. Experiencing the perfect New England foliage with no one around was breathtaking. You can see the colors in my attached pictures below. During much of the walk, I encountered very few people. It was lovely. The solitude was a precious gift because there are usually hordes of people parking, hiking, and eating. It's hard to find alone time in modern life even when communing with nature. New England visitors should know that the Blue Hills offers everything from stroller friendly trails to semi-rocky terrain. It's no Acadia National Park. It does, however, offer Massachusetts residents a nature filled experience in close proximity to Boston. read more

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Great dog friendly hiking! I come here with my dogs and it's not a crazy hike up or down, unless you want it to be and take a weird entrance to the park. We hiked up from the parking lot and it was an easy and quick walk. Going down, however, we decided to take a different route. The dogs did not enjoy going down a steeper side with tons of rocks. Sorry babies, but mama loves. It takes you out to the side of the road but it's only like 1/3 mile from where you parked, so no big deal! And a better work out read more

Blue Hills Reservation - Parks Near Me - Milton, Massachusetts

Went for a long hike here in the winter and absolutely loved it! It's great for dogs, friends or family- so pretty much everyone. The lake is really nice and the trails are very well kept. There are three trails, one 1.5 hours, and the others a bit longer, up to 4 hours. There's also a ton of parking and multiple lots. I'm looking forward to going back here in the summer, but I think it makes for a really nice winter hike. read more

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I took my dog, Jetty, for a hike here today. He is a very special boy, so he has exceptionally high standards. Needless to say, Jetty very much enjoyed this park. He walked along the pond and made many friends! We'll be back soon! read more