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.