It was so nice to finally get to see this place. You grow up hearing and reading about Thoreau all…read morethrough grade school and high school and finally coming into contact with the pond and the woods is very surreal. The shack where he lived is, obviously, no longer standing. But a pile of rocks is there in its place? I didn't really get the rocks, but there's a plaque explaining it. Obviously didn't do too much for me. There's a replica of his shack up by the parking area which is cool to see. The pond is cute. The beach is adorable. I love beaches with trees on them to provide oh-so-wonderful natural shade. It was packed though. It being packed might also have had something to do with the stagnant and dirty water. I don't suggest swimming in the pond. Or at least doing so at your own risk... There's a trail that runs around the entire pond. This was so cool too. It was also a little packed with people, but that's to be expected. My favorite part is there are little detours off the path right down into the water. The water was clearer there and was a little nicer to play around in. Only complaint is the fence along parts of the trail was very utilitarian (put up to keep people on the path). They could have put a little more effort into a fence that would have fit more into the surroundings, if they had to have one. The gift shop was small and not too impressive. The lady working there was a little standoffish/rude. But whatevs. Oh, and parking was a breeze...and free. Always good. It was a pretty good experience. Very close to the city too. Very nice for a quick trip to relax.

Beautiful & serene wooded area, and on Walden pond, of course. Thoreau came here b/c they wouldn't…read morelet him on the pond near the de Cordova - funny, huh? ANYWAY, it's beautiful & very near Bedford Farms Ice Cream! They have a library full of Thoreau literature, and scholars on hand to discuss the finer points of his life and works.

There are just so many good things to say about this place that I'm not sure where to start…read more First, it is not a "shelter" in the typical sense of the word, and the staff and guests do not refer to it as a "shelter". They consider themselves a "community", and act as such. There are NO lines for anything at the WLP. The women are served their meals at their tables by volunteers, and their materials are bussed for them once they are done, unless they choose to self-bus. The food. Oh heavens! WLP prides itself on serving nourishing, FRESH food. Each meal will have all nutritional requirements met, and there is always a veggie option. We're not talking canned goods or sandwiches here, folks. No, this is chopped and diced fresh veggies, prime cut meats, the finest ingredients. If you're a good cook and after you've volunteered a few times, they are happy to let you get in the kitchen and help whip up stuff. The resident chef there, Gina, is wonderfully creative in the kitchen (and very nice), and from time to time, other professional chefs from local restaurants come in to put together a meal. The WLP isn't jsut a food place, although that's the highlight of the day. It also provides the women with full time advocacy support to help with finding housing, food, or other services. There is a computer room/resource room that the ladies may use. There is also a nap room where women can go to get sometimes some much needed rest, and also a quiet room for just some peace, solitude, and maybe reading or reflecting. Women are also able to get various toiletries and clothing that they may need. They may do their laundry and take showers. The Program Manager, Heather (also very, very nice and competent) has done a great job of making sure that there are interesting activities for guests if they choose to participate: yoga, painting, field trips, knitting, etc. Since the WLP is run as a "community", the staff are INCREDIBLY patient with the women, and if a guest is being disorderly or breaking a rule, she is not immediately tossed out, but is counseled and given more than one opportunity to redeem herself by correcting her behavior. Throwing someone out is a last option at the WLP. WLP treats its volunteers as the valuable commodity we are. We are appreciated, thanked, and made to feel a part of the "team". Added Perk: They also have really incredible volunteer thank you events! I enjoy volunteering here. I learn something new and meet new people each time I go. I don't have a lot of spare time to volunteer, but when I do, the WLP gets me all the time, every time. It's important to know that this place could not be so great without us- the community at large supporting it through donations, volunteering, contributions, etc. The staff, Regina, Linda, Joanna, Lauren, Linnie, and Cheryl are terrific- go meet them! This is just a wonderful, wonderful place. You will not leave here without your heart being touched in some way.

Just to add to the great review by Adrienne -- The Women's…read moreLunch Place is an amazing community run by dedicated and caring people. I've volunteered there many times, and the experience was wonderful. The staff is as open, kind and welcoming to volunteers as they are to their ladies. The ladies? Wow. Having the opportunity to really get to know some of the women in this community is a real blessing. The WLP is one of my favorite volunteer opportunities. Try it out!

This place is honestly the worst! The care is highly questionable as well as their bedside manner…read more I just experienced a 3rd instance where they compromised my Mothers health and after careful consideration have had her removed from there even though the convenience of the proximity to my house and the treatment center was ideal. I will happily drive 40 + minutes away to a different facility rather than continue to allow for them to further endanger my Mothers health and over all well being. A word of advice... If you have a loved one that needs dialysis treatment find a different place, both you and them will be better off.

Today, the Food Project brought a farmers market to my office to sell fresh, locally grown,…read morepesticide-free produce and other food items. The vegetables were grown by teenagers in an urban garden in Dorchester. The Food Project's mission is to, "grow a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system." This is totally worth supporting.

A noble organization that aims to drive personal and social change through the development of…read moresustainable food systems. They have two local farms where youth are taught to plant food using traditional, organic methods. Half the produce is donated to shelters and the remainder is sold at farmers' markets or in crop shares. They also host community meals with guest chefs from top-notch chefs from all over the city. And of course, offer group and individual volunteer projects, great for company outings or a free weekend. Their whole staff is simply awesome, especially the outreach coordinator, Michael Iceland. Come support these guys motivate, educate and change!

I don't suggest sending kids to this school, especially if your kids have special needs. The…read morefounder/board member/director Kate Yoder dislikes young kids and autism kids. She discriminated my kid as soon as we walked in the recital room. She asked us not to sit in the front row because she said my kids were "young". Approaching to the end of the recital, she ordered us to sit in the back because she said my kids were "noisy". She knew my kid had ASD. But my kid is high functioning and behaves pretty normally. There're other young children and baby(ies) in the audience making sound. My kid's teacher who was also in the audience approved in writing later that my kids were not disturbing. The teacher actually had suggested us to sit as close as to the front. We were targeted by Kate Yoder from the beginning. My kid has autism. We are minority. I had never met her before. My kid met her only briefly years ago. To rationalize her discriminated and targeted actions, Kate Yoder even made up some actions that my kids never did "legs in the air, lying on the floor" in writing. It was also proved by other audience not happening at all. It's so evil for an educator to put on innocent young children!! Whenever I requested Kate Yoder to apologize, the school canceled my kid's signup of the summer program and kicked my kid out from the school. And it happened twice. What a shame for a place that is supposed to be for beautiful things like music and care! Kate Yoder should step down from all her positions of this organization!

It's a good place to take lessons. My friend teaches a class for 0-12 year olds there.read more

This site is in the cute little town of Concord, and the site itself has a beautiful visitor center…read more(former Buttrick family residence) which contains a small informational exhibit. What's really nice is the outdoors. There's a garden space where you have a good lookout of the North Bridge, a significant location where the Minute Man faced the British Army. The path to the bridge is not too far of a walk, and you can see a beautiful memorial quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "the shot heard round the world." I also liked the plaque honoring the graves of the British soldiers since a lot of lives were lost on both sides for American Independence. The bridge is a great scenic walk and great to do for both history and nature lovers.

Apart from being an important part of American History, this park is GORGEOUS! The North Bridge…read moreoverlooks a steady stream with trees along the banks. Plaques and monuments are erected over the places where one of the first battles of the American revolution was held. Plenty of space for walking as well