Locations in Brookline

Kennard Park/Lost Pond Sanctuary
Located in the northwest corner of Brookline, Lost Pond Sanctuary is part of a collection of open space that also includes Lost Pond Reservation and the Kennard Park and Conservation Area in Newton. In all, this beautiful and hidden area encompasses 30.2 acres and is home to active wildlife and plant life (lots of large frogs in the spring/summer!). Lost Pond itself is a so-called Kettle Hole, a remnant of the receding glaciers of the Ice Age. On it's northern edge, it has developed into a quaking bog and is considered one of the most interesting and unusual types of wetlands found in New England. Take special care when walking on the planks over the quaking bog as a misstep can result in deep immersion in the mud. With care, the pond can be enjoyed by all and is well worth it.
We will access Lost Pond at Kennard Park (actual address in Newton), located on Dudley Road in Newton.
From Rte. 9 West, turn left at Hammond Street (at light where Star Market/CVS is located).
Follow to rotary, take second right out of rotary onto Newton Street.
Follow for about .7 mile and turn right onto Dudley Road.
Follow Dudley Road for about .7 mile, passing through a residential area and one stop sign.
Entrance to Kennard Park is located on the right side and is marked by a Newton Park/Rec Sign and the street number 244/246
Park just after entering on side of road.


Hoar Memorial Sanctuary
The D. Blakely Hoar Sanctuary encompasses a total of 24.56 acres and is located in southwestern Brookline, in the Sawmill Brook floodplain and adjacent to the Edith C. Baker School. The Sanctuary is named after a noted Brookline lawyer who upon his death in the 1920s stipulated that part of his estate be used to establish a bird sanctuary in Brookline. First established in 1961 and placed under the management of the Town Park Department, the sanctuary is now under the care of the Brookline Conservation Commission. It contains three major ecosystems including a Hemlock-Beech forest, a Red Maple swamp and a wooded upland. Also apparent are Puddingstone outcrops and a vernal pool habitat.
From Rte. 9 West, turn left at Hammond Street (at light where Star Market/CVS is located).
Follow to rotary, take third right out of rotary onto LaGrange Street.
Take first left onto Beverly Road and follow to stop light.
At light, turn right onto Independence Drive
Take 2nd right onto Sherman Road (entering a three story brick apt. complex).
Sherman is a horse shoe road that turns into Gerry Road as it bends to the right. The Sanctuary is located on the left hand side of Gerry Road.
Park on the street and walk towards the tennis courts where you will see a small bridge marking the entrance to the Sanctuary.


Halls Pond Sanctuary & Amory Woods
Hall's Pond is one of only two natural ponds remaining in Brookline and along with Amory Woods is the only land in North Brookline set aside for conservation purposes. Under the management of the Brookline Conservation Commission, Halls Pond and the adjacent Amory Woods encompasses about 3.5 acres. The pond is named after the Hall family. Miss Minna Hall was a cofounder of the Boston (later Massachusetts) Audubon Society. Halls Pond and Amory Woods can be accessed off of Amory Street just off of Beacon Street prior to Coolidge Corner. There is a large parking area next to the playground at the end of which we will meet.


Larz Andersen Park
Larz Andersen Park is Brookline's largest and was bequeathed to the Town in 1948 by Isabel Andersen in honor of her husband Larz. The site was the Andersen's former estate known as Weld. It encompasses 60.22 acres and still contains some of the original world famous gardens. Located in the Park is the Museum of Transportation, as well as public ice skating facilities.
From Rte. 9 West, turn left onto Lee Street (Lee runs along the West (or outbound) side of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir).
Follow Lee until it ends at Newton Street (you will see Allandale Farm in front of you).
Take a left onto Newton Street
Take another left shortly after onto Goddard Avenue (look for signs to the Park School)
You will see Larz Andersen on your right and pass by a small lot. Follow Goddard to main parking lot for Larz Andersen, set off of the road.
Once parked, walk to the back side of the large baseball field that sits in front of the parking lot for class starting point.


Ward Pond
Ward Pond is part of Olmsted Park and the Emerald Necklace, a collection of green spaces running through Boston from the Commons to Franklin Park. Many of these parks were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr.
Follow Rte. 9 East towards Boston.
Just as you are about to leave Brookline for Boston, you will see the Brook House on your right.
Take the next right turn onto Pond Avenue.
Follow Pond Avenue, passing Leverett Pond on left, to second parking lot on left across from a playground. We will meet in lot.


Soule Recreation Center
The Brookline Recreation Department's headquarters is at 652 Hammond Street.
From Rte. 9 West, turn left at Hammond Street (at light where Star Market/CVS is located).
Cross over one small street, Heath Street and Soule will be on your left.
Enter the driveway and park in lot. Outdoor class will meet at lot, indoor classes will meet around the back side of the building, in a classroom on the left-hand side of building.