Stony Brook Reservation contains 475 acres of tree-covered hills, valleys, rock outcroppings, and wetlands, and a variety of recreational facilities. Ten to 12 miles of hiking trails and bicycle paths pass through the forested portion of the reservation. Turtle Pond is an easily accessible spot for fishing. The Reservation also features soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts, picnic areas, an ice skating rink, and a pool.

Artesani Playground Wading Pool, conveniently located along the scenic The Charles River is absolutely fabulous for area families. Includes a number of zero depth fountains from the ground and they have an awesome wading pool with all kinds of waterfalls. The wading pool has lifeguards on duty, showers, changing rooms, a picnic area, and an ice cream truck comes often. There is an awesome playground for toddlers and older kids, and there is even plenty of parking. This truly is a gem. Some important tips:

• There are no concession stands, so bring your own food. An ice cream truck is often parked there, for a sweet treat.
• Parents should probably wear water-friendly clothing, as there is generally alot of splashing.
• Outside of the fenced area, there are numerous amount of geese on the Charles that makes for a fun family activity of feeding the birds.

The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, a 15-acre ribbon of parks and development, has taken the place of the old, green Central Artery overpass that used to weave through Boston. While we often use the term Greenway to describe what seems to be a single space, the fact is that there are four main designated park areas that comprise the Greenway, each with its own unique features and personality. Take the time you visit them and learn more: The Big Dig buried the highway and made way for the construction of parks, walkways and greenspace from the North End to the Financial District. It's clear that the Greenway could become one of the world's great urban parks. With the announcement of its fund-raising success, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy which manages the greenway space is on its way to realizing the Greenway's full potential. With the highway gone and the city reunited with its waterfront, Boston has an opportunity unique in the history of the modern city -- to create a grand promenade of parkland through the middle of downtown. People tend to make the space their own, by bringing cricket sets to play. The streets surrounding the Greenway are busy, but the park itself has a surprisingly relaxing atmosphere. Of particular interests to families of young ones is the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Rings Fountain on the Greenway by the New England Aquarium (between Milk St and Congress St). Tall, easy-to-dash-through sprays find an unsuspecting audience of tourists, aquarium go-ers and commuters. Many parents of little ones let them strip down, unprepared to find a new water feature in their travels. The Greenway is named after Sen. Edward Kennedy's mother, who died in 1995 at the age of 104. Rose Kennedy grew up in the North End. One year after her death, the then-Gov. William Weld signed legislation naming the Greenway in her honor. The Greenway is managed by the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, Inc.

In Chinatown Park, visitors are welcomed through august gates, one traditional, the other contemporary, and are guided along a pathway brightened by gardens and a streaming fountain. The pavement in front of the old Chinatown Gate uses patterns inspired by the Chinese symbol for heaven and earth. The dense Asian neighborhood that hosts this park maintains a lively balance of diverse ethnicities, cultural references and cuisines. Chinatown is rich with immigrant stories and traditions, modern pop culture, and now one of the loveliest tree-lined acres in Boston. The Conservancy sponsored programs and activities in Chinatown Park reflect the local Asian community’s rich diversity and cultural history. Examples include Tai Chi lessons, tournaments (ping pong, chess, or checkers), cultural festivals, music and dance. Boston's 26-year-old Chinatown Gate is now a major feature of the Chinatown Gateway Park in the new Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway. Opened in September 12, 2007, the concept for the Chinatown Park is inspired by the passage of Asian immigrants through Boston and the progression of the many families who have forged an indelible identity in the city. The Park will feature gates, stones, streams, and waterfalls build upon the ideals of Feng Shui; space must have balance and harmony among the elements. A signature feature of Chinatown Park will be the distinctive pavement pattern in front of the Chinatown Gate. Designed by California artist May Sun and patterned after a Chinese chess board, the square within a circle pattern symbolizes heaven and earth in the Chinese culture. Running through the center of the chessboard will be a "river" of stainless steel and colored concrete, depicting a map of Boston focused on Chinatown, South Station and the Fort Point Channel. The 26-year Chinatown Gate, a three-story red-and-gilt monolith guarded by four Fu dogs at the intersection of Hudson and Beach streets, is a gift from Taiwan in honor of Chinatown's centennial. (Gate is Páifāng or Paifong (Chinese: 牌坊) The Greenway is managed by the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, Inc.. Conservancy sponsored programs and activities in Chinatown Park reflect the local Asian community’s rich diversity and cultural history. Examples include Tai Chi lessons, tournaments (ping pong, chess, or checkers), cultural festivals, music and dance. View an Interactive guide to the Greenway here.

Created as part of the environmental mitigation for the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, the newly-constructed Bremen Street Park in the East Boston Greenway features playgrounds, a fountain and wading pool, large open lawns, and a community garden. Bremen Street Park extends to Prescott Street, with the East Boston Greenway's biking and walking path extending to Neptune Road. A performance amphitheatre is included in the park's green space. There are benches and picnic tables along the paths, and a bocce court in the park. Park designer Brown, Richardson & Rowe worked with a local artist to incorporate a sculpture of East Boston resident Donald McKay, best known as the builder of clipperships, including the Flying Cloud. Be sure not to miss the large map showing the five islands that were filled to create the East Boston of today. Drinking water fountains are located in the park, as well as public restrooms in the security building. Twenty-four hour security is provided by the Massachusetts Port Authority.

Christian A Herter park hugs the Charles River in Allston/Brighton. There are trees, picnic tables, playgrounds, a theatre, the Herter Garden, and the Christian A. Herter Community Gardens. This is a popular inner city park, with plenty of free parking, and is accessible. The park borders the Charles River, but is generally less crowded than the Esplanade. Dog walkers can expect to share the walking paths with runners.

• Public Restrooms around the Dewey Square Parks
• Restaurants Around Dewey Square Parks
• Bars Around Dewey Square Parks
• Attractions Around Dewey Square Parks
• Parking Around Dewey Square Parks

• Public Restrooms around the North End Parks
• Restaurants Around North End Parks
• Bars Around North End Parks
• Attractions Around North End Parks
• Parking Around North End Parks

The John Eliot Square Urban Wild is located behind a stone retaining wall, near the intersection of Linwood Street, Highland Avenue, and Centre Street. Linwood Street and Centre Street directly abut the wild. A section of the urban wild was occupied by Walter Kruekl, the owner of the abutting home, for years. Mr. Kruekl extensively landscaped this area, transforming the site into a lovely private garden. This parcel was later sold to Mr. Kruekl. The remaining urban wild parcel was leased to Paige Academy located immediately across Linwood Street. Paige Academy is a non-profit, private educational institution and child care center. Since 1999, the academy has used a portion of the site for parking and the remainder as a small manicured garden. The site was landscaped with native plantings approved by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. A picnic table, wooden arbor, and log teepee provide playing areas for the students.

A greenspace along the Truman Parkway next to Stop and Shop and along the Neponset River. Features a performance stage and lawn, two tennis courts and a basketball court. Across the parkway from Moynihan Playground.