Leo J. Martin Golf Course and Riverside Park

Overview

Situated on the banks of the Charles River, the Leo J. Martin Golf Course began play in the 1930’s.

During the winter months, the course is transformed into a commercially run cross-country ski area, with equipment rental and refreshments.

The Riverside Park and canoe launch is at the end of Recreation Road.

Size: 18 holes Longest Walk: 0.3 miles in Riverside Park; 3 to 4 mile walks on rough trails Acquired: 1914

Longer Walks that include this property:
Riverside Walk All Year
Riverside Walk Winter Loop

Maps

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Located in Newton and Weston

Other maps and aerial photos:

Bing Maps bird’s-eye view

Newton Assessor

Connects to: Riverside Greenway (Proposed)

Trail Map

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GPS Enabled Trail Map

Access City of Newton GIS Map

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Owner & Administrator Websites

Weston Ski Track
Leo J. Martin Golf Course

Photo Gallery

The underpass is now closed. Planning to restore it is underway.

The entrance to the underpass from Charles Street in Newton.

The Boathouse Bridge in the foreground, now closed to the public, is scheduled for reconstruction in 2019. The MBTA bridge is at rear.

A view from the river of the bridge that was rebuilt in 2013.

2015

A guided walk sponsored by Historic Newton and the Newton Conservators crosses the Pony Truss Bridge in 2015.

A path along the Charles next to the golf course could become part of the Greenway.

An early robin and a late skier

The Charles River, viewed from the trail in Wellesley

The path leading upstream on the Newton side of the river from the Pony Truss Bridge is scheduled for reconstruction in 2019.

The new bridge built in 2013.

View of the new bridge from the Newton side of the Charles.

The "Boathouse Bridge" is scheduled for reconstruction in 2019.

The Boathouse Bridge is now closed.

The MWRA has paved and landscaped a path through their deep rock tunnel access site, the location of a major water main break in 2010. The path connects Riverside Park to the Boathouse Bridge.

This underpass formerly connected Riverside Park to Charles Street in Newton. Because of the poor condition of this underpass, the MBTA closed off access to it in 2016.

View looking downstream through the MBTA bridge

View from Weston into Newton

2009

The Pony Truss Bridge in Riverside Park will be a link in the Greenway.

The Martin Golf Course and ski track may become the site of links in the Riverside Greenway.

This bridge in the Martin Golf Course may become a link in the Greenway. A trail along the Wellesley side of the river leads to the pedestrian bridge that was rebuilt in 2012.

Fishing in Riverside Park

Riverside Park

Riverside Park canoe launch

The old Pony Truss bridge in 2011, prior to its reconstruction.

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

History

Early 1900s

Riverside Recreation Grounds developed by Charles Wells Hubbard. Known as “The Rec,” it included 40 acres of riverfront with sports fields, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a boathouse.