I grew up a half-mile from Paradise Pond. I would walk by it all year, and up the Mill River. From…read morethe age of catching tadpoles to recently when I visited again. I was delightfully startled by the feelings I had, and the beauty that I could only partially capture with my camera. So I wrote a delicious novel about a professional photographer and a Smith math teacher, much of it set in Northampton. I didn't write this review to promote the sale of the book but to underscore the wonderful experience I had there, from early childhood and decades later. The book is called "Paradise Pond."

Love walking on this trail! It's very peaceful and calm, just make sure to stay to the side when…read morebikers are passing. Lots of people tend to walk on this path and the path extends pretty far which is nice.

This was a great day and a fun trail. Not too crowded on the day that I went. People are pretty…read morerespectful to stay in their lanes and not wandering all over. Electric bikes, and some gas powered scooters were on the trail exceeding safe limits. This is the only issue I had with the trail. 11 1/2 miles each way. I started at the Belchertown trailhead. Approximately 30 spots for parking and maybe a few along the street. There's also random parking along the trail and some of the smaller towns. There is a cute stop along the trail for refreshments/food. That's about the 4 mile mark.

We went to the park today with a group of friends to go to the playground only. The kids ranged…read morefrom 18 months to 7 years old and everyone had a great time. There were both baby swings and regular swings. There were smaller play structures (a playscape and a couple things to climb) that were great for the toddlers. Then there was a large playscape, a treehouse, and another climber for the older kids. The large playscape and treehouse could still be used by the toddlers with extra supervision (there are some high places that they can fall from). The playground is in the shade too, great for hot days.

From the owner: Nonotuck Park is open the first Monday after Patriots Day to October 31st…read more In the heart of Easthampton lies its greatest asset. Nonotuck Park is a beautiful family friendly park located along side Nashawannuck Pond. In our park we have; Toteman Nature Trail Community Pool Water Spray Park Bocci Courts Basketball Courts Clay Tennis Courts Volleyball Court Playgrounds Softball and Baseball Fields and a 15 acre Soccer Complex Pavilions and Picnic sites for rent.

This place is an amazing off leash venue in all seasons!…read moreGreat for cooling off in the river in summer. Beautiful place to get outside on trails in the winter. Most dogs are off leash. And the people you meet are usually very nice. There is the occasional kerfuffle with dogs but to be expected. We love it here.

I get that if you want a free and open place for a dog to run off-leash, this is a good idea. But…read moreowners letting dogs go out of sight is not okay with me. Dogs are unpredictable, and the fact is I only really know my own dog.

Look Memorial Park (aka Frank Newhall Look Memorial Park) is a privately run non-profit park that…read moreopened in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1930. Located in the village of Florence, the 150 acres of land were given to the City of Northampton by Mrs. Fannie Burr Look (widow of Frank Newhall Look). Mr. Look had been a long-time resident of Northampton and the chief executive of the Prophylactic Brush Company. Operation and maintenance are dependent upon the trust fund, visitor fees, grants, and gifts. Owned by the city but operated as a non-profit organization, Look Park receives no funding from the city or state. The park contains a number of notable features including walking paths, an outdoor amphitheater, tennis courts, baseball and softball diamonds, a miniature golf course, paddle boats, playscapes, a spray park, a wildlife center, a sweet shoppe, covered picnic areas, covered bridges, and a miniature railway. I recently visited Look Memorial Park with my family. I first visited the park last summer with my older son. We had so much fun that we decided to return this year with my wife and younger son. We first set out to visit the park's 5,000-square-foot spray park. It was a hot day and my two sons had a blast exploring the various ground jets, bucket dumps and water umbrellas. After a change of clothes, we explored one of the playscapes and the wildlife center. What we were most looking forward to was a ride on the park's miniature steamer train. Manufactured by Wichita, Kansas-based Chance Rides, the miniature train is a replica of the circa-1863 C.P. Huntington steam locomotive. The train runs every half hour on the weekends and rides last about 10 minutes. The train is transformed into 'Santa's Train' during the Christmas holiday season and it can also be rented for birthday parties. The train ride was easily the highlight of our park visit. We look forward to visiting Look Memorial Park again and again!

I planned a fun birthday picnic today, only to find out after paying to get into the park that half…read moreof the services were closed. I wish management would be more proactive about notifying incoming guests that many park services are closed before paying to get in. We also went to the sweet shop to get root beer floats, and paid $11 for two root beer floats that were actually half full. I would recommend the place for people looking to enjoy the scenery, but apart from that the experience was lacking.

Nice trail to go on with other trails along it if you wanted something longer. It was a simple…read moretrail that's was easy to follow with the marks and enjoyable with friends.

Absolutely beautiful here. Nice and quiet. My only issue is I was charged $20 instead of $5 and I'm…read morea Mass resident.

Iconic set of rolling wooded hills over looking the Connecticut River and surrounding lowlands…read more Skinner State Park is approximately 3,000 acres once privately owned now overseen by the Mass DCR. There are an intertwining network of trails from the base, along the ridge, and through the wooded parkland. Bring a GPS and trail maps are available at the gates and in the Summit House. This was my first time hiking here. A life long buddy & hiking pal encouraged me to join him. He was excited to try out his new hip on some varying terrain. He drove in from Vermont, me from CT. Both of us aging (gracefully) we each used an adjustable pair hiking sticks, which did come in handy both ascending and descending the hills. We found the trails were all very well maintained and well traveled. There's a system of trail markers and blazes to follow. Keep in mind bikes and horse are allowed, so hikers, keep your eye open and give way to wheels & hooves. The Summit House does have access too by vehicle, but (!) parking is very limited up top and DRC Rangers control traffic flow. We parked very close to Hockanum Road (Rte 47) and hiked up. Views at the Summit House stunning 360 degrees. If the House is open (seasonally) take time to tour the former residence and Lodge. View from the House decks are even better. My foot recently repaired foot & my buddies new hip passed the test!

Not a bad little park. Definitely follow yelps directions to get here cause if you ask your device…read moreit'll take you to a dead end spot. I've read other reviews about having to pay admission, I guess that's on some days? We didn't have to pay anything the day we went. Its about a 4 mile hike round trip if you start from the bottom. It's a steep climb too so if you're not use to it, you will get winded. The view at the top is worth it though. Definitely worth a hike at least once. At the top they have benches and grills to cook on, and of course the beautiful house with the 360 view.

This skate park is full of fun stuff like the bowl and has nice drops wall rides and places to…read moregrind Not the most bmx friendly though except for the bowl and the stairs and 1 drop

parks okay my frien got hurt going up the ramp for a skate clip for blood // water gc but besides…read morethat would go again

Growing up in NYC, I often heard about the "Pulaski Skyway" on the traffic reports. It's a bridge…read moreconnecting Newark to Jersey City. Yesterday in Northampton, I came across a monument that honors that bridge's namesake, none other than Revolutionary War Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski. In 1745, he was born into an upper class family in Poland, fought the Russians in Europe and then came to America and served in the Continental army under George Washington. He organized a light infantry division that was known as the Pulaski Cavalry. This earned him a lasting legacy as "the father of the American cavalry". He was fatally wounded during the siege of Savannah on October 11, 1779 and was awarded honorary United States citizenship. The granite Pulaski monument is located in Pulaski Park, next to the City Hall. It has a bust of General Pulaski engraved into the top of the monument. The inscription reads: To perpetuate The memory of Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski An American Revolutionary War Hero Who, from wounds received at the siege of Savannah Georgia, died on October eleventh 1779. -------- This memorial is erected in testimony of respect by his fellow Polish-American citizens of Northampton, Mass. October eleventh 1929 The monument sits on a square granite base which is inscribed: Pulaski

Sunnyside is a special place. After a hard look around the area for the best option (we spent 2…read moreyears at another center), we sent all three of our kids to Sunnyside. Two have moved on to elementary school, and our son is in his last year there. First and foremost, we love what Sunnyside does for our kids. In a beautiful and warm facility, caring teachers helped (and are helping) prepare our kids for the next steps in their lives in a safe and stimulating environment. With just the right mix of learning and play, we have seen first hand the benefit of the Sunnyside approach as both of our daughters entered a Chinese immersion Kindergarten well prepared both socially and intellectually. I credit Sunnyside's deep commitment to a diverse environment for ensuring that my children were exposed to many types of people and approaches to life. Tolstoy wrote in Anna Karenina: "...if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts..." Sunnyside demonstrated this truth to our family. On top of that is the supportive and friendly community fostered by Sunnyside's status as a parent co-op. Our kids aren't the only ones who've made wonderful friends here, and the relationships we've made have persisted beyond the end of our children's enrollment at the center. We've met kind, dedicated, intelligent people from all over the Valley, and our lives are richer for it. I strongly recommend Sunnyside for your children.