Good places to go walking with a stroller?

Submitted by frankenplant t3_zy45cl in boston

Hi all! I have a new baby and being able to get out of the house and go on walks has been really lovely. I am starting to get sick of my neighborhood, so I thought it would be nice to start a master thread for places in the GBA that are stroller-friendly (or wheelchair! Or just easily accessible in general). Indoor and outdoor suggestions welcome!

I’ll start: Mt. Auburn cemetery in Cambridge. There is free parking and lots of it, and the paths are wide and smooth.

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agnosticbutterfly t1_j23ndu2 wrote

Keeping with the cemetery theme, Forrest Hills in JP was my favorite outdoor place to stroll with infants. It’s beautiful. Arnold Arboretum is also a stroller friendly and beautiful place to stroll. I avoided Jamaica Pond because the paths weren’t as wide and sometimes with errant cyclists, determined joggers, and the occasional off leash “friendly” dog, I didn’t find the walk as enjoyable.

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AboyNamedBort t1_j24gsps wrote

At least Jamaica Pond doesn't have people driving vehicles on it. Can't say that for Forest Hills Cemetary. Why they allow anyone to drive around it is beyond me. Some idiot drove into the cemetery pond recently. Its a danger to everyone who walks around the cemetery. Take the T or park outside the main gate.

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ForwardBound t1_j24d8sz wrote

It's too bad that the pond isn't better than it is for strollers, especially since it was just repaved, but you're absolutely right about all those things.

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Mumbles76 t1_j23w7tt wrote

Castle Island in South Boston is good... Everyone wins, kids see planes and boats and parents can take in the sights and be near the ocean as well.

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Saints2804 t1_j23mxm1 wrote

Minuteman trail in Concord/Bedford/Lexington is lovely. Go there often and really enjoy it. There are historical plaques you can stop and read as well as bathrooms in the visitor center.

Also Lake Q in Wakefield (3.5 mile loop) is awesome and there’s a Farmer’s Market on Saturdays June - October.

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Honeywife20445 t1_j24663v wrote

Do you mean the rail trail/bike path? I agree it’s lovely but you’re often put at risk by maniacs speeding on bikes. Might not be relaxing environment for new mom with a newborn

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Saints2804 t1_j25a1og wrote

No the actual Minuteman National Park. 😊 Agree about the bike path!

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fortuna_spins_you t1_j24cvjz wrote

I know this sub hates it, but Seaport is great for strollers. Wide sidewalks, places to stop, snowport going on, etc.

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AboyNamedBort t1_j24geq2 wrote

I agree but the Harborwalk is iffy with toddlers because there often isn't a proper fence blocking the harbor. OP won't have to worry about this for another year though.

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CplFrosty t1_j23osvf wrote

The state parks system has a universal access program which includes a bunch of fairly level, wide, stable trails for people with limited mobility. I bet they’re also excellent for strollers. That link has a list of all the ones starting with those in the greater Boston area.

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mind_like_the_ocean t1_j23nm4t wrote

Check out the app/website AllTrails it'll give you a list of all the hiking trails in you're area and what the terrain is like and I believe it will even indicate stroller friendly.

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allchoppedup t1_j23rifh wrote

Fresh pond, Cambridge. It’s about a 3 mile loop I think? Some parts are dirt/gravel but packed down and most is wide and paved. Also a nice bathroom if you need it. I also strolled around the Natick mall, it’s huge! The main grocery store there attached to the mall also has an awesome prepared food eating area that I enjoyed with my newborn. A bit more low key than the food court.

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frankenplant OP t1_j23s84o wrote

+1 for the mall suggestion, I’ve been to the Burlington Mall a couple of times and it was great for indoor walking. Our early 00’s mall dreams are alive!

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cindyck t1_j2489kv wrote

Breakheart reservation in Saugus has a paved 1 mile-ish loop.

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caio2u2 t1_j2501qo wrote

And a 3 mile loop as well. Also paved

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Victor_Korchnoi t1_j23psm2 wrote

The Stony Brook Reservation has a nice 2.5 mile paved path in it.

The arboretum is obviously excellent.

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iced_yellow t1_j24co3r wrote

Most of the Esplanade, any of the reservoirs (Chestnut Hill, Brookline, etc), Arnold Arboretum

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ak716 t1_j23ub1v wrote

Drumlin Farm in Lincoln- plus you get to see farm animals! You do have to pay to go, but it’s free with a Mass Audubon membership (which will pay for itself after a few visits and gets you in to all sorts of other fun nature preserves!)

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PurpleDancer t1_j24opl8 wrote

The arboretum would probably be my favorite place. Incredible beauty and paved paths and T accessible. Lack of bathrooms is the only negative

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albertogonzalex t1_j245ewr wrote

Best piece of baby carrying equipment: baby carrying hiking back pack (osprey makes a great one). Once your baby can support their head with confidence, get one and open up the entire region. I opted for the hiking backpack 100% of the time over the stroller. Your hands are free. You view in front of you by your feet is open. And you don't take up as much space. It's much easier to get around the tight sidewalks around town.

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AlpineRaditude t1_j24m15l wrote

Rail trails are great for running with a stroller. The pavement tends to be very smooth- more so than your average sidewalk- and you’re often crossing fewer streets. Sometimes they are plowed, so it’s more passable after snowfalls than sidewalks.

The Somerville community path, the minuteman bikeway, the tri-community path in Woburn / stoneham, the trail in west Peabody, etc etc.

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Neat_Apartment_6019 t1_j27kny1 wrote

The Neponset River Trail is gorgeous. It would be a straight shot on the Red Line but a long trip all the way out to Mattapan.

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anurodhp t1_j24urcd wrote

Honestly walk around Coolidge corner in the neighborhoods. It’s very stroller friendly and you will see lots of other people (often with bigger strollers!) doing the same.

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DDups2 t1_j2549tw wrote

The Arboretum in JP is a great walk with a stroller.

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batdesk t1_j27hv7q wrote

Neponset Trail in Dorchester. Wide, smooth paved paths and plenty of parking. It’s best in warmer months - wide grassy fields look a little bleak in the winter compared to other places.

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Aside_No t1_j248w4w wrote

There are some great walks along the Charles river. It can get pretty busy in the BU/MIT areas but west of the city not so much. One point of caution- I've noticed ice can be a problem in the winter, and there often isn't sand or salt. I assume this is to keep it out of the river? Not sure. Either way I'd keep this a spring through fall activity

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SparkDBowles t1_j24twum wrote

Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge. Lots of trees and plants and shrubs and flowers and birds. Plus cool architecture and sculptures.

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booknerdcoffeeaddict t1_j25h58h wrote

Leverett Pond in Brookline is very nice to walk around.

We also enjoy Forestdale Cemetery in Malden and Breakhart in Saugus/Wakefield

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cheese1234cheese t1_j26nwen wrote

Greenway in Eastie! Can go all the way to Constitution Beach

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OnlyNormalPersonHere t1_j26ybs5 wrote

If you want a long-ish walk, Southie from Broadway T to the beach and back has a nice mix of commerce, residential and nature.

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LadyGreyIcedTea t1_j270rnk wrote

The Arnold Arboretum in JP has a ton of paved paths. I see people there with strollers all the time.

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Neat_Apartment_6019 t1_j27krd4 wrote

The part of the Boston Harborwalk that goes around UMass and the JFK Library. Beautiful views of the sea

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letsgetdissonant t1_j2e2l66 wrote

Nut island has a lovely paved loop- and parking as well. Plus a nice wharf to walk down. And some beaches to walk along.

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goosegosse97 t1_j2el927 wrote

Love walking around Fresh Pond with the kids! DM me if you ever want company!

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