Easy Walk at Chestnut Hill Reservation

Reservoir loop trail with well-packed snow.

I took a Sunday afternoon stroll in Brighton yesterday at Chestnut Hill Reservation. The 1.5 mile loop around the reservoir is one of DCR's Healthy Heart trails and a popular place to walk alone or with others. My iPhone clocked it at 2 miles around, which for me was a hour's walk. Social distancing is easy on the 15 foot wide hard-packed stone dust pathway.

The reservoir loop is entirely level also. Most people might be inclined to park in a small lot for about 20 cars at 355 Chestnut Hill Road known as Gate A next to the Reilly Skating Rink. There are no accessible parking places for people with disabilities in this lot, probably because of a steep 100 foot paved entry up to the water level and wide gravel walkway. 

Plenty of open space in this view across the icy reservoir.

It seemed to me though, that it should be possible for someone using a wheelchair to access at least part of the loop. There are plenty of parallel parking spaces, marked "2 hours only" parking, along Beacon Street at the bottom of the dam. A wide pedestrian travel lane alongside the parked car zone allows for a preliminary stroll to Gate B at the other side of the dam from Gate A across from the Waterworks Museum. 

Beacon Street had minimal traffic as I walked to Gate B, which offers a wheelchair or stroller accessible option to access a paved pathway that travels about a third of a mile or so clockwise around the reservoir. The reservoir loop is not considered an accessible trail - probably because the paved path is only wide enough for wheelchair passage. Nevertheless, from what I could see, there was definite potential for wheelchair use. Well-packed snow-covered ground prevented me from discerning whether there was a thin grassy strip between the parallel paths.

Snow to stone dust transition on the trail, with
pedestrians passing by in either direction.

At Chestnut Hill Driveway the paved path ends at a roadway intersection. Because of packed snow I could not quite tell if it was possible to shift from the sidewalk to the path. If so, it would likely be somewhere along that Driveway, which is a paved roadway.

Walking along the wide pathway, I followed the water's edge. Most of the reservoir was iced over, and you could hear the sounds of the water and ice conversing with musical tones around the south edge of the reservoir. One area of open water harbored a few geese and ducks, including an unusual quartet of Ruddy Ducks sleeping in the bright sunshine. Once past Chestnut Hill Driveway, large oaks along the wooded edge are a lovely presence. Many have large open holes and I watched carefully for any urban owls that might be napping in the sun but saw none. A wooded knoll on the left as you approach the dam turned out to be Chestnut Hill. A side footpath leads up to the highest point, above the skating rink, for those who wish to "summit." 

Large oaks grace the northern side.

There is a welcome amount of nature along this very urban walkway. I passed a lot of people and dogs on leash. It is nice to be able to walk in either direction during the pandemic and have an experience of being out and about in a social setting. Not being a city person, it was even refreshing to hear snippets of conversation in passing, offering a slice of conversational life in the moment - a snapshot of what people are talking about these days.

At this time of year, snow, ice and mud are real factors to consider. A portion of the trail was solidly packed snow and easy walking though gently imprinted with the smooth pounding of many feet. The other side of the reservoir was exposed stone dust path with some soft, muddy spots along edges and occasional transitional ice or thin strips of ice at the edge. Mostly it was easy walking. I imagine some people with tackle it with cross country skis or snowshoes after fresh snow and foot traction devices when icy. It's definitely a place for warmer weather excursions, especially if you are local to Boston.

Ruddy Ducks on the water in winter plumage.

DCR (Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) advocates for people to stay close to home during the pandemic 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 guidelines for safe 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