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Cutler Park

Overview

The 800 acres known as Cutler Park include the largest remaining fresh water marsh on the middle Charles River. The marshland and the small lake attract over 100 species of birds.

A trail goes around Kendrick Pond (also called Cutler Pond). Another trail extends from the pond trail and goes to Powell’s Island canoe landing, doubles back and goes under the MBTA commuter rail and out to the Great Plain. From here a hiker has two choices. A right turn leads to a boardwalk through a cattail marsh and ends up on Needham Street in Dedham. A left turn leads down the wide path alongside the elevated railroad line all the way to the Charles River.

After a snowfall the area becomes a fairyland for cross-country skiing. In summer, there’s hiking, canoeing, and fishing.

 

Size: 800+ acres    Longest Walk: 5 miles    Acquired: 1962

Maps

 

Scan this code using the camera or QR code app on your smartphone for quick access to maps and other information on the property.

Located in Needham

Other maps and aerial photos:

Bing Maps bird’s-eye view

DCR park map

Nearby:

Helen Heyn Riverway

Nahanton Park

Trail Map


Click map for larger image

GPS Enabled Trail Map

Access City of Newton GIS Map


To see your location, press the location icon while viewing the map on your smartphone. If the blue location dot doesn’t appear when you open the map, come back to this page and click here.

Owner & Administrator Websites


Photo Gallery

First three photos shown here. Click a photo to view the complete slideshow or click here to browse the complete gallery.

History

The marshlands, created by flooding from the Newton Upper Falls Silk Dam, were used for pasturelands for hundreds of years. The marshes were tapped from the late 1800s as watershed well sites. You can see remains of filtering ponds, ditches, and waterworks.

Features

Accessible Trails, Biking, Birding, Boat Launch, Charles River Walk, Cross Country Skiing, Historic Site, Meadow, Pond, Scenic View, Vernal Pool, Woods Trail
 

Additional Information

Newton Assessor’s Map ID: [not in Newton]

This park is described in the AMC Massachusetts Trail Guide.

A portion of the park has been designated as a “core habitat” by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program.

Birding reports

Wikipedia

National Trails Day Photos

Photos on Flickr … and more photos … and more … and still more

 

 

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