Boston Awakening

Spring has sprung and we are beginning to feel the warmth of winters end. Bostonians have been hibernating during this long hard winter, but it is once again time to get outside and enjoy the green spaces our city has to offer. Statistics show that only about half the American population gets the minimum recommended amount of physical activity required to maintain one’s health. And about 36 percent of adults do not engage in physical activity at all. Having available and accessible places to exercise, such as parks, has proven to improve physical activity and as a result, overall health. Yet many folks, for one reason or another, are missing these FREE opportunities. Below I am going to introduce or maybe refresh you on some great outdoor spaces you can explore. These unique spaces are just waiting to be activated in the coming warm months. I won’t discuss the well-known spots such as the Emerald Necklace, Boston Common, Public Garden, and the Esplanade to uncover a few hidden gems.

Hidden by office buildings is the Secret Garden in Kendall. Located on top of a parking garage, six stories above the street with great views of Boston and Cambridge, this quiet getaway is ideal for relaxing, enjoying greenery and walking during lunch, if you are lucky to work in the area. It is free and open to the public, you can find the entrance to the Cambridge Center Garage from Broadway that says “Roof Garden”, take the elevator to the top.  Secret Garden, 4 Cambridge Center Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02142.

Want to play some hoops? Find the Peter Faneuil House Garden, this hidden urban oasis in Beacon Hill has a half basketball court open to the public.  Framed by historic brick buildings this court is accompanied by lovely gardens maintained by the Beacon Hill Garden Club.  Peter Faneuil House Gardens, 30 South Russell St. Beacon Hill, Boston, MA 02114.

If you want to explore architecture through the ages definitely head to Mount Auburn Cemetery. You might be turned off by the name but it is actually America’s first garden cemetery with many pathways to explore. Along the pathways are monuments and structures from all different periods of architecture and design, such as the Egyptian revival gateway at the main Cambridge entrance. Their brand new greenhouse opens this weekend! If you are not into organized events go exploring on your own and search for Buckminster Fuller’s gravesite, the famous architect is buried here.  Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

If you work downtown by South Station make an effort to get outside the office walls and test out the newly designed and developed seats along the Fort Point Channel.  Benches will be out to sit on and admire starting April 27th.  Boston Harborwalk, Gillette Public Dock – near 36-98 Necco Ct Boston, MA 02210

I want to remind those of you that might be afraid of the fast pace traffic in the city that Memorial Drive in Cambridge, between Western Avenue and Mount Auburn Street, is closed to vehicle traffic on Sundays. The closure is in effect from 11:00am to 7:00pm starting the last Sunday of April until the 2nd Sunday of November. So dust off your bike from winter storage and ride the wheels peacefully along the river.

We can all benefit from going outside and engaging in some exercise by exploring the natural beauty of our city.  Lets embrace the green spaces of Boston and its surrounding areas in these months ahead!

-Sarah