Actual name to use when looking up hours: Veterans Memorial Pool…read more For the convenient location in Cambridge, I was surprised that the pool wasn't at all crowded when visiting on Sunday afternoons this summer! There aren't very shallow areas for the toddlers like there are at some of the other DCR pools, such as Connors Memorial Pool in Waltham, which probably helps to keep the crowds down. But the pool is very spacious and has enough space both for lap swimmers and kids playing. The spray deck just outside is great for the younger kids, too.

I had a previous review on here stating that the pool had no shade on the decks and the changing…read morerooms did not have privacy walls. It's a year later and they've done extensive updates to the pool location. 1. There's now an ADA regulation ramp with rails going into the pool for those in wheelchairs or who have trouble walking. 2. They added easier steps and hand rails for children and families to enter at the opposite end (long stairs that slope gently instead of ladder style.) 3. They have added permanent shade awnings around the pool, along with wooden benches underneath them (definitely still try to come early because those get snapped up quickly.) 4. The changing rooms are the same, but entering the locker rooms, there is now almost a rubberized "curtain" of small strips to walk through that creates privacy. Previously anyone walking by in the main corridor could see directly in. 5. The splash pad/fountain area has awnings and benches around it, and is ADA accessible. As of summer of 2023, the pool is open 7 days a week from 11:15AM-6:00PM. The changes have greatly improved the property, and it's a place where you can come and stay all day instead of roasting on hot concrete. They also have water fountains and outdoor showers along the pool deck for getting a quick drink and rinsing off.

great place to rent from! I rented a bouncy house for my sons birthday and the service was great!read more

I rented a kayak for the first time with my friend through Victory Rentals and this was the best…read moredecision. We had a blast and the two owners, Teddy and Pat, were very cool. I called at least 3 times a little confused in the different stages of setting up the rental, and they were so patient, even explaining where to park at the meet up location. We were on the water for dusk at Webb Memorial Park and they delivered the kayaks, insisting on carrying them all the way too and from the water. They were so friendly, and this is a BLACK OWNED BUSINESS on their grind. All love and support.

I will forever love the res! It is truly my all-time favorite route for a walk or a jog. Whether…read moreI'm having the best or worst day ever, a loop or two around always leaves me so grounded and at peace. It is well kept (maybe besides in icy conditions in the winter), full of great people-watching, and just as beautiful when you walk it for the 300th time as it was the first. It is about a 1.5 mile loop for those interested in tracking their mileage. For those who don't live in the area, it is a short walk from the closest T-stop and it really worth the trip. In the warmer seasons, expect to see some wildlife (lots of birds & turtles). When colder, expect gorgeous icy views. Tip: If you like taking a stroll with a coffee in hand, grab a coffee at Starbucks or Eagles Deli nearby before you loop!

Sunsets, peaceful, community, cleanliness, all the things…read more The Chestnut Hill Reservoir is my my all-time favorite place to go for a walk or run. I've been coming here since middle school and it still remains as one of my absolute favorite places. Look at these pictures! It's so well-kept there's never any trash. There is one small stretch of geese droppings but the path is so wide you can easily maneuver your way around them. :) It's located right in between Boston College's campus and Cleveland Circle so there's always some action and people around (but is never too overwhelmingly crowded). A happy medium of crowded and empty for sure. At one point you're overlooking Cassidy Playground that usually has something going on-- be it softball games or grass volleyball games for example. It definitely gives you some entertainment to look at while you walk! The views are everything. It's a 1.55 mile loop and there's benches along the way that people use for all kinds of reasons (to read a book, take a phone call, chat with a friend, stretch, soak up the sun and look out at the water, etc.). I love coming here around sunset and seeing the sky change and light up on the whole reservoir. Magical. Hands down one of my favorite places to be!

Spotted this beautiful gem of a park while driving around looking for places to photograph foliage…read morein autumn splendour. Named for the restored stone built powder magazine from 1818, this lovely oasis sits astride the Charles river and and is home to a couple rowing clubs. There is a fair amount of parking and the trees were magnificent. Saw many people out and about enjoying the scene but it wasn't crowded. Plenty of personal space to wander around without disturbing your neighbor. Definitely recommend..

Pretty awesome for a public swimming pool. It's free (yay!), the pool is huge and clean, and…read morethere's a nice review of the river. Plus you can picnic or grill outside the pool area. On the negative side, they're now pretty strict about their no food/drink policy, parking sucks for non-cambridge residents, the bathroom cleanliness ranges from alright to scary (depends on how crowded it is, like all DCR facilities) and if someone throws up (or does something else) they shut it down for the rest of the day. Tips: 1. if you're coming on a summer weekend when the odds of a kid dirtying the pool up are pretty high go right when it opens 2. Bring a handled bag to carry your stuff so you can hang it on the bathroom/changing room door because you don't want to think about it even touching the floor 3. Bring only what you can eat outside or keep a cooler in your car for leftovers. 4. Parking can be tricky and the TJ's lot tows so if you're a Cambridge resident with a sticker park on Magazine St. If you're not, have someone drop you off/pick you up or park in/take T to Central Sq. and take an Uber X there (about $5 one way) 5. Bring a chair. Laying on a towel on the concrete isn't so comfy and people swarm the few benches they have.

The pool itself is nice, with a very shallow area for young toddlers and a deeper area for older…read morekids to swim. The parking lot is tiny, though, so it's very hard to visit if you don't live close enough to walk. They also have very frequent and lengthy times you have to get out of the water during lifeguard shift changes, so we were never able to spend very much time actually in the pool when we visited.

It's really fun, but they take us out a certain time for a pool Check it is really safe, but I…read moredisagree with a person that said they had to take us out at a certain time they put a four star so actually safe

Great hike! This hike is easy and the length is 1.2 mi, it might take 30 minutes to walk around…read more The huge surprise was that you can let your dog walk without the leash. A lot of people bring their dogs. This hike has a lake where your dog can swim. Nature is beautiful, when you are walking around you could hear the woodpeckers. The only problem is parking. There are not a lot of parking spots, and if you go there, there are only residents parking on the weekends. There is no additional parking available for people who just visiting the park.

First time here, but I don't know a single person that hasn't recommended it without rave reviews…read more PROS: Trails. Great for off leash dog walking. There were tons of dogs roaming about, owners right on their heels, so no worries about unattended animals. Clean(er) ponds, since they're connected to flowing water sources. There was only spot we saw where the water seemed stagnant. Most everywhere else it was relatively clean. It's not crystal blue Caribbean waters, obviously, but for your dog to swim in, it's good. CONS: Parking seemed tight. Found a spot, but it looks like local residents are not happy about street parking for overflow, so there were signs prohibiting street parking. This was at the Drabbington entrance. I'm sure there's another entrance I don't know about. OVERALL: My new gold standard for off leash hiking.

Good location and fairy clean facility....but why not provide chairs if you can't bring your own?…read more I have frequented several pool around the area and they all offer lounge chairs or regular chairs and tables. It's very hard past the age of 20 to lay out on a towel on the ground. Ridiculous. Hopefully the new renovation coming will include places to sit and spend the day.

Gath offers a clean, safe, and affordable community pool and facility, a friendly, respectful…read morestaff, and a separate shaded kiddie pool for toddlers/preschoolers. Community pools are a fun place for little ones to have social time with kids their age. My grandchild and I love this pool!

My family and I visited Fresh Pond for the first time and it was beautiful. We were lucky to have…read morefound street parking right across from the Trader Joe's. The loop was well paved in most areas and there were a couple off trails that were a nice surprise. It was pretty crowded even for a "not so great weather day" so I can imagine how busy it gets on a nice day. Loved how it was a dog friendly place. Most people didn't have their dogs on leash. This is great for families who feel comfortable with it but imagine it could be an issue for others. We will definitely be back!

Beautiful, well-maintained park, with a designated bike lane and separate walking path, which I…read moreLOVED - always less stressful for all parties knowing you have your own literal lane. The surroundings are gorgeous, I especially liked the smaller pond further off (think it's called Little Fresh Pond/Dog Beach on the map), with a peaceful seating area. When I went during the day, I didn't see a ton of other people milling about (lots of doggo's merrily bounding about). The one star off is for the parking situation. I actually tried coming here twice before finally succeeding. The first time, I found the nearby rotaries too daunting and gave up and went home. The second time, we finally conquered the rotaries but pulled into the parking lot right by the park to find resident only signs plastered everywhere. Seriously? No non-resident access even for one day out of the week? So here's a tip. On my third try, I just parked in the nearby Whole Foods lot and walked over. It was about five minutes with a sidewalk but I wasn't a fan of having to cross a super busy road to get into the park. Better than nothing, I guess. I've also heard there's street parking on the south end of the pond but you might need to do some circling.