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18 Feb 10
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5 Comments
Walk The Dog At Boston’s Belle Isle Salt Marsh
We found ourselves looking for a place near Boston where we could spend some quality time with the dog; without the dog park. Sometimes, the dog park, which is perfect for letting your Boston dog socialize with other dogs, can be a bit much. This past weekend, we had one of those moments where we just wanted to find a quiet place for some quality family time, dog included.
Funny enough, we found Boston’s largest remaining salt marsh in one of the most unexpected places; East Boston. Right in the middle of a well developed area is the Belle Isle Salt Marsh Reservation. There you will find 241 acres of trails, sea grass, saltwater and views of Boston in the distance. We had found a relatively unused place to play with the dog.
On the way there, Margie kept telling me I was lost. There was no way a beautiful salt marsh was right near the horse track. Our dog Moose didn’t care, he could smell the faint sent of horse in the distance and our dog loves horses. Me, well I was lost; although I would not admit it then. When you try to be clever and enter the listed Bennington Street address in Google Maps or your GPS, you go to the wrong end of East Boston. I will save you the grief, Google Map Link, the address is 180 Bennington Street.! Or you could just take the MBTA Blue line, get off at the Suffolk Downs Stop; a three minute walk from there.
Once you are at the Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, you will find the parking lot with garbage can and empty poop bag dispenser; bring poop bags. I also recommend not running straight into the park. Take a moment, let your dog poop near the entrance. You will not find more garbage cans in the park; nobody likes to walk around with a full poop bag. Your better off unloading the loaded dog a the start.
The Belle Isle Salt Reservation is not huge, by the Fells Reservation standards, but the 241 acres and seven or so walking trails are just big enough to get away from others. This in not an official off-leash dog park and it is a wetland; home to other birds and animals. Regardless of what you are doing, you will need to have control of your dog. For the two hours we were at Belle Isle Marsh, we passed one couple with a dog while arriving and saw another couple in the distance with their dog. Belle Isle Marsh is far from a busy dog parks and groups of dogs socializing.
The Belle Isle Salt Marsh Reservation is beautiful and clean. Instead of prattling on further I would rather share a few pictures we took while goofing around with our dog.
5 Comments
We will definitely have to check this place out. I love the big photo at the top, Moose looks so happy trotting along!
Thank you, it really is a great place for photos. I was glad the top photo came out. My camera and I have been at odd with each other lately.
The only caveat is one in a while a good size plane will come overhead as it lines up with Logan. This might just be dependent on wind direction though.
I loved this place! Nice, quick, quiet getaway from the city. Moose LOVED the smells and couldn’t help himself from wading through the chilly water.
Folks, as a founding member of Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, I am happy to hear of more city folks finding and enjoying this beautiful urban wild. Many people use it for many activities, and they are all welcome.
But please note that it is also a wildlife sanctuary and at various seasons hosts animals which need protection from excessive disturbance. I am most familiar with the birds of the area and maintain the bird list for Belle Isle. Please check out the most current list of 230 species of birds which have been recorded at Belle Isle since 1975: http://tinyurl.com/yhrfh4c.
Three groups of birds are most in need of our consideration.
First of all are migrant shorebirds which arrive from South America in April, head to the Arctic to nest, then reappear here to fatten up before heading back to South America in late summer and fall. Sometimes hundreds of shorebirds use the salt pans in the marsh to rest at high tide as they wait for the tide to drop back out so they can feed again.
Then there are nesting waterfowl, primarily American Black Duck which is considered a relatively threatened species. These birds often nest in upland areas, but sometimes in the marsh itself.
Finally there are species such as Eastern Meadowlark, Marsh Wren and Saltmarsh Sharptailed Sparrow which nest or attempt to nest in the high marsh grasses.
All these birds are highly susceptible to disturbance by loose dogs. Stray cats are also known to bother them, but there are very few of them. The birds get used to people, as long as people stay on the boardwalk and on the upland areas.
Please keep this information in mind and help spread the word so that this unique and beautiful habitat stays a viable roosting, resting and feeding place for the wildlife as well as a place of repose and refreshment for people.
Thanks for inviting comments. If anyone reading this would like to see a copy of Belle Isle News, the newsletter of the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, please write me at szendeh@rcn.com and I’ll send you one. Also, look for me on the boardwalk at the Park in the spring. I expect to be there a lot.
Soheil,
Thank you for taking to time to write on behalf of the birds. I will look over the article I have written and make sure to emphasize the need to keep dogs from entering the sensitive areas.
To clarify, “upland grass”, is the grassy areas in the center of the park. The areas outside the pathways, is the wetland which is protected.
Once again, thank you.
~ Jay