Beautiful Belle Isle Marsh in Boston

Last week I finally made it to Boston to assess a trail and was surprised to find Belle Isle Marsh Reservation remarkably people-free. Just a few cars were in the parking lot all morning on a Thursday. This delightful location offers a breathtaking opportunity to travel a half mile plus on the Meadow Loop Trail with abundant wildflowers and birds and views of the salt marsh. 

Once an island, Belle Isle is now connected to the mainland. It has a long history of changing hands and names since Europeans arrived on this coast. Today it is the last remaining salt marsh in the city.

Located at 1399 Bennington Street in E. Boston, Belle Isle Marsh is a place of natural respite. Even without advance notice on the street, you'll know you are there when you see a lot of greenery along the roadside, which is otherwise a city neighborhood environment. You'll find three accessible parking spaces and a flat 8-10 foot wide, wheelchair accessible stone dust trail. There are no restrooms here, but there are some fast food places along Bennington Street where you can find available bathrooms. While the lack of restrooms, as well as the signage regarding salt marsh mosquitoes on site, may be daunting, this outing is well worth it.

The salt marsh mosquitoes may have something to do with the absence of people, but I did not find them troublesome, as long as you move fairly steadily (even at a slow pace) and apply repellent. Wearing lightweight long pants kept mosquitoes off my legs.

Once you stroll away from the parking lot (counter clockwise), you can visit a salt marsh overlook before entering into a open area with trees and picnic tables. Soon you are in an open field with tall wildflowers. There are plenty of benches along the whole length of the loop. You'll also find another salt marsh overlook on a side trail. This one is much older and not quite as accessible as the first observation deck so some wheelchair users may need support to get onto the boardwalk and up its rise before it levels out.

There is also a wooden tower here. While the trail to it is accessible, the tower itself is not, with a 14"first step to enter. The tower is about a two story climb for a more elevated view. Walking to the tower offers another view of the marsh and there is a picnic table below the tower. Other picnic tables are located closer to the parking lot.  

At this point I must confess that Belle Isle Marsh is under a flight path to nearby Logan Airport. This noisy fact can be a plus or a minus, depending on how much you like or can tolerate large planes flying overhead. Brief pauses in conversation may be necessary. At first it is a bit intrusive but after awhile you might get used to it. Nonetheless, nature carries on all around you. This time of year butterflies and birds abound. Bring binoculars to get closer views of egrets and other birds in the marsh.

This park may be busier at other times of day or year. With the 40 car parking lot and ample open space, it seems possible to maintain good social distancing and take turns at the observation decks. People walk their dogs here and the grounds were clean. The park is open from 9am to dusk.

DCR advocates for people to stay close to home and visit parks within walking distance or a short drive. If you plan to venture further afield, as well as on any outing, please protect yourself and others. In addition to following safe practices outlined by the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health, please be sure to follow these additional DCR guidelines for safe park visiting:

• Minimize outdoor recreational time to limit potential exposure to COVID-19;
• Stay within solitary or small groups, and avoid gatherings of ten or more people;
• Practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals;
• Administer healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing for at least 20 seconds;
• Participate in only non-contact recreational activities;
• Leave a park or area should large gatherings begin to build; and,
• Stay home if ill, over 70, and/or part of a vulnerable population