10,000 Steps: Parks Edition

It’s generally agreed upon that walking 10,000 steps per day is the benchmark of an active lifestyle. In this series, we map some of our favorite 10,000 step walks throughout Boston and beyond.

With only a month of summer left (really?), the last place anyone wants to be is inside. Luckily, the city is full of great parks and green spaces, which makes these places perfect to squeeze in your daily steps. Try these three 10,000-step walks next time you need a dose of vitamin D.

The Back Bay Fens

One of Boston’s hidden jewels, the Back Bay Fens is a beautiful place for a daytime walk. After getting off the T at Arlington, follow Boylston street until you reach the park. For a straightforward walk, follow the perimeter until you reach Westland Avenue, then cut over to Columbus Avenue via Huntington Avenue and follow it back to Arlington. For a more scenic trip (and to reach your full 10,000 steps), check out the Fens’ features like a track, turf field, multiple ponds, and rose garden.

North End and Waterfront Parks

The Common may get all the love, but there are many other parks within walking distance that deserve your attention, too. Starting at Arlington Station and following our route through the Common, the North End, and beyond, you’ll hit lesser-known parks like Langone Park, Norman B. Leventhal Park, and Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park as well as historical gems like the Paul Revere Mall. Stroll through and explore each one to hit your daily quota.

Brook Farm and Millennium Park

If you’re a city dweller, these parks may be off your beaten path, but they’re well worth the trip. West Roxbury’s Brook Farm is now a National Historic Landmark honoring the 18th century utopian society of the same name, and Millennium Park is a 100-acre space filled with walking trails and gorgeous views. Our route takes you into Brook Farm and around to Millennium Park, or you can forge your own.