Get Up and Go: Parks to Explore This Spring

Beautiful parks, estates, and reservations are waiting to be explored this season, like Stevens Coolidge Place, pictured above.

It’s finally spring! It’s time to get out of the polar vortex-induced hibernation and enjoy what our state has to offer. The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s oldest statewide land trust, and one of Massachusetts’ largest conservation organizations which cares for properties, or reservations, of “scenic, cultural, and natural significance.” The Trustees own and manage 112 reservations, including working farms, historic homesteads, gardens, parks, barrier beaches, and mountain vistas, all on more than 26,000 acres.

Below, a slew of parks and reservations where you can hike, bike, picnic, explore the scenery, or even try activities such as outdoor yoga, kayaking, and canoeing. For hours and directions to each of the below parks, visit thetrustees.org.

Places to Explore This Spring and Summer

The Stevens-Coolidge Place, North Andover

Soak up history and horticulture as you explore the gardens behind this renowned country house. All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

The Stevens-Coolidge Place, North Andover

The Trustees

The Trustees

Powisset Farm, Dover

Wander the 1.5 mile trail past flower beds, herb gardens, and veggie fields.All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Powisset Farm, Dover

Meander through grassland meadows after creating your own bouquet from the cut-your-own flower fields.All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Rocky Woods, Medfield

Walk around Chickering Pond or enjoy a longer foray on the carriage roads and cart paths.All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Rocky Woods, Medfield

The Trustees

The Trustees

Ravenswood Park, Gloucester

There's 10 miles of carriage paths and trails at this park. Children love the Ledge Hill Trail, a two-mile round-trip walk among fern-covered boulders. All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

World’s End, Hingham

This park has 251-acres perfect for jogging, hiking, and picnicking. There's also tree-lined carriage paths and sweeping views of the Boston skyline. All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Appleton Farms, Ipswich and Hamilton

This 350-year-old working farm has more than 12 miles of flat or gently rolling trails perfect for walking or hiking. There's also an area to visit the farm animals. All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Appleton Farms

The Old House at Appleton Farm dates back to 1794.All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, Canton

This colonial farmstead-turned-country–estate has formal gardens, fields, and woodlands along three miles of trails. You can visit with the llamas and chickens, too.All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, Canton

The Herb GardenAll photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Francis William Bird Park, Walpole

Provided by The Trustees

Provided by The Trustees

The Great House on Castle Hill

Castle Hill is part of The Crane Estate, encompassing more than 2,100 acres overlooking Crane Beach, Crane Wildlife Refuge, and winding salt marshes.All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Long Hill, Beverly

Explore cultivated gardens, an apple orchard and meadow, a network of woodland trails, and a children’s garden and organic farm.All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Long Hill, Beverly

In the Federal-style, brick house, each room is distinct in its own way, accented by ornaments and statuary.All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

Cedariver, Millis

Enjoy a 1.5 mile loop trail that winds through meadows and woodlands along the beautiful Charles River. Paddlers are invited to land their canoe or kayak at the boat landing.All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees

The Paine House at Greenwood Farm

Two-and-a-half miles of easy trails take you past rock walls on your way to the house. But, it's the view of the marsh that brings people back for more.All photos provided by The Trustees

All photos provided by The Trustees