RECREATION IN THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED
BOATING & CANOEING
Boating and Canoeing on the Mystic River 2010There are many places in the Mystic River watershed for boating and canoeing. Numerous official and unofficial places to "put-in," include places in Arlington, Chelsea, Charlestown, Malden, Medford, Somerville, Cambridge, Winchester and Woburn. Some of these sites are in the tidal portions of the watershed.
MyRWA advises that you AVOID boating 3 days following a heavy rain storm, as pollution levels can spike due to sewer overflows at numerous places in the watersheds. Click here for Boating & Swimming Advisories.
Don't forget the life jacket and sunscreen! If you know of other places in the watershed or if any of these need updating, please let us know by emailing us at contact@mysticriver.org.
Click here for additional information about issues currently impacting the Mystic River Watershed.
Tide schedules are available here.
View Mystic River Watershed Boat Landings in a larger map
NATURE TRAILS AND PARKS
MacDonald Park, Medford MAOpportunities abound for exploration! From Stoneham to Everett, Arlington to Winthrop, and places in between, there are 21 communities and many ways to enjoy this urban jewel we call home. See the map and follow the links to some of the Friends groups in the Mystic River Watershed.
- Middlesex Fells, Stoneham and Winchester
- Fresh Pond Reservation, Cambridge
- Alewife Reservation, Cambridge
- Great Meadows, Arlington
- Pine Banks Park, Melrose and Malden
- Brooks Estate, Medford
- Belle Isle Marsh, Winthrop
- Winchester Woodlands, Winchester
- Sutherland Woods, Lexington
- Horn Pond, Woburn
- Menotomy Rocks Park, Arlington
- Spy Pond Park, Arlington
- Mystic River Reservation, Arlington, Medford, Somerville, Everett, Chelsea
View Nature Trails in the Mystic River Watershed in a larger map
URBAN TRAIL MAP & ACTIVITY GUIDE
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Written in both English and Spanish, the Urban Trail Map & Activity Guide has been developed with a generous grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) to improve access from neighborhoods and transit centers to waterfront parks and open space areas within the Mystic River Watershed as well as increase usage of recreational land. The guide will provide a learning opportunity that families, teachers, and community-based organizations can use as a self-guided tour of the watershed. The Activity Guide, as an accompaniment to the map, highlights special features of the open spaces and access points featured on the map. This map will be available in July 2011. Click the link here for more information on our website.
BIKE TRAILS
Minuteman Bike Path ArlingtonThere are many bike trails that crisscross our watershed and travel along scenic routes. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) maintains a system of trials for biking and hiking and offer opportunities to discover nature with local trails and waterways.
The Metro Boston North Bikeways & Trails website offers a map detailing existing and open paths as well as proposed routes. MyRWA works with and supports organizations that are planning new trails, including the East Boston Greenway, Somerville Community Path and Bike to the Sea.
The Tri-Community Bikeway project consists of converting approximately 7 miles of continuous railroad beds into a pedestrian/bikeway and linear park system for the benefit of the general public linking the Towns of Stoneham, Winchester and the City of Woburn.
BIRDING OPPORTUNITIES
Black ducks in Mystic LakeExplore nature in an urban setting! There are many great locations for birding within the watershed. See MyRWA's recommendations of birding sites here. For a checklist of Massachusetts birds see the Mass. Avian Records Committee List here. For more birding information see MassBird.Org.