Despite having lived in Boston for several years it never felt like home until I started a garden…read morein the Worcester Street Community Garden. I love that there's an 8 by 8 (or so) plot out there that's mine; I can cultivate my favorite veggies and flowers, chat with neighbors I'd have never met, and ultimately reap some delicious rewards. Some specifics: you need to live in the South End to be eligible to apply and there is a waiting list, but plots turn over each year as people move away. I love this garden and it's clear that the other members do too. Want to sneak a peak at the gardens of the South End? Every June there's a garden tour: http://southendgardentour.org

Community garden that features 28 individual garden plots…read more Owned and managed by The Trustees of Reservations in partnership with the city. Vegetables and flowers growing in the city! It a wonderful thing!

For a city visitor center it offers quite a lot in a compact building. You'll see miniatures of…read morethe Village of Salem from its inception along with implements, quilts, and other things the first settlers used. Central to the exhibits is an information desk with plenty of maps and guides to help get you started on your visit to Salem. There is also a bookstore/giftshop and extra meeting rooms in the back. Times visited: 1

I have walked by this diminutive little brick & flowerbed "park" for months, and only today did I…read morestep inside and take a look around. I'm not sure whether that is a statement to how small the park is, how oddly placed it is, or how much I'm usually lost in my own little world. Beacon Street between a garage and a...what is that, a stubby little apartment building?...seems like an odd place for a park at first. But really, it's one of the only things that breaks up this bleak little stretch of road, and the trees that the benches face across the road are probably pretty scenic in autumn or early spring (and winter too, if you don't mind a cold, wet ass). The road can be busy at times, but not so much that the park would be unusable, except maybe during rush hours. The park seems like a great place to sit for lunch or a chat. In fact, I think I actually looked it over at its ugliest possible time -- at the tail of the winter thaw, the trees across the way aren't doing anything pretty, and there aren't yet any flowers in the flowerbeds, or they're still dormant -- and I STILL want to come hang out here. (Edit: Spring! The flowerbeds are now full, the trees are now lush, and the benches are dry! Go to!) Behind the little park is a community garden with a handful of plots. I'm not a community garden user, and it seems like any other, except that -- I love this -- it's handicap accessible! The paths between the plots are brick, the gates are wide, and the plots are raised so people can reach them! So damn simple & so damn smart. I haven't actually tried to ride through in a wheelchair to see if it is as accessible as it looks; I'll update the review if the situation arises. For an extra kick, head down the street (heading southeast) a few hundred feet, just past Ivaloo, and check out the private yard with the statues. They're another neat little easter egg on an otherwise grungy road, and they even sometimes dress up for holidays. (Edit: these statues have been missing for a few months now. I was hoping they were off being cleaned or restored or some such, but they may be gone for good.) (Side note, if you end up looking up more info: different official Somerville docs list different spellings. Some say "Durell" and some say "Durrell.")

It was so nice to finally get to see this place. You grow up hearing and reading about Thoreau all…read morethrough grade school and high school and finally coming into contact with the pond and the woods is very surreal. The shack where he lived is, obviously, no longer standing. But a pile of rocks is there in its place? I didn't really get the rocks, but there's a plaque explaining it. Obviously didn't do too much for me. There's a replica of his shack up by the parking area which is cool to see. The pond is cute. The beach is adorable. I love beaches with trees on them to provide oh-so-wonderful natural shade. It was packed though. It being packed might also have had something to do with the stagnant and dirty water. I don't suggest swimming in the pond. Or at least doing so at your own risk... There's a trail that runs around the entire pond. This was so cool too. It was also a little packed with people, but that's to be expected. My favorite part is there are little detours off the path right down into the water. The water was clearer there and was a little nicer to play around in. Only complaint is the fence along parts of the trail was very utilitarian (put up to keep people on the path). They could have put a little more effort into a fence that would have fit more into the surroundings, if they had to have one. The gift shop was small and not too impressive. The lady working there was a little standoffish/rude. But whatevs. Oh, and parking was a breeze...and free. Always good. It was a pretty good experience. Very close to the city too. Very nice for a quick trip to relax.

Beautiful & serene wooded area, and on Walden pond, of course. Thoreau came here b/c they wouldn't…read morelet him on the pond near the de Cordova - funny, huh? ANYWAY, it's beautiful & very near Bedford Farms Ice Cream! They have a library full of Thoreau literature, and scholars on hand to discuss the finer points of his life and works.

The most beautiful grounds and very comfortable short-term living options. Apartments are…read morewell-priced for what is included -- It really is a quiet oasis in a gorgeous part of MA with the D line very close by and right on Rt. 9 so you can zip into the city for fun. Shopping and restaurants nearby and a even a Pete's coffee down the way! Wonderful staff, they provide entertainment and host lectures as well as community events for young people including cookouts and activities!

The Rutland Washington community Garden is a rare, colorful, green space in the heart of Boston's…read moresouth end. It features flowers of many kinds and brightens up the whole neighborhood. THE DEAL: if you live in the city, but wish for the warmth of the countryside, visit one of Boston's community gardens!

I spent an afternoon volunteering at their urban farm across the street from the Re-Vision house…read morewith a group of people through Boston Cares and I think it's safe to say we all had a really wonderful time supporting this amazing, much-needed organization. Even in the blistering heat, I had a blast weeding and picking raspberries. Being amongst all the pretty rows of fruits and veggies alive and abundant = instant joy. Great volunteer experience. I'm blanking on her name, but the girl who runs the farm (one of two paid employees) was fun and very knowledgeable. The Re-Vision House itself provides emergency and transitional shelter for women with children (most under school-age) in the process of recovering from the viciousness of homelessness. The provide a plethora of empowering services such as parenting classes, and require their residents to work, participate in a job training program, or be obtaining their GED. Some of the residents are employed on the farm, which covers about 1 acre of previously unused plot land. Half of all the produce grown at the farm goes to the families in the Re-Vision House for free. It was explained to us that there is no full-service grocery store easily accessible in this neighborhood (requires at least a couple buses I believe), making fresh, nutritious, affordable food very difficult to obtain. They aim to grow culturally appropriate food (collards are their #1), which is something I think could have easily been overlooked. As for the other half of their produce? They are a CSA! All 75 of their shares were sold, but keep them in mind for next year. Not all their produce for their CSA shares could possibly come from their small farm, so they supplement from Allandale (another wonderrfulll farm to check out) and I think one other farm. They also reserve some subsidized shares for low-income families in Mattapan and Dorchester. If you don't want to wait until next year, look for them at the Milton farmer's market (Thursdays) or go to their weekly farmstand to support them. If you would like to volunteer on the farm, they have a great need for volunteers in the fall and early spring. The Revision House and their farm project are doing so many positive things all-around for our greater Boston community. Their website is quite informative if you'd like to learn about more of their services and/or get more details on the farm. With so many ways to support them, do it! Eating locally-grown zucchini that helps the cycle of homelessness?! Warms your healthier heart a few extra degrees.

They also have a great farm stand every Thursday in the summer! Swing by to get your potatoes,…read moreonions, collard greens... Jolie is the girl who worked on the farm last year, Matt is the farm manager.