Come join us for a beautiful nature walk along Little River in Cambridge
and Belmont. We will stop along the way to learn about the history
(October) and future plans (November) for this area. We will travel
along the river, meadow, and forest habitat which is home to wildlife
such as white-tailed deer, red fox, coyote, river otter, mink,
cottontail
rabbit, voles, snapper and painted turtles, and over 40
residential bird species such as hawks, wild turkey, blue heron, swans,
catbirds,
woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and goldfinches. It's a beautiful
time of year to enjoy this local treasure and to learn more about how
citizen engagement has and continues to shape the local landscape.
Where: Acorn Park Drive parking lot
Who: Anne-Marie Lambert is a Belmont Citizens Forum board member who has
been leading walks along Little River and writing articles about nearby developments.
Special guest Frederick Law Olmsted (impersonator Gerald
Wright)
Walking Directions from Alewife T station, take a right, cross the
bridge over Little River, a left onto DCR’s “Alewife Park Greenway”,
stop at the end (10 minutes from Alewife)
Driving directions from Belmont: take a right at the end of Cross St
onto Lake St, 1st right onto the Route 2 access road, 1st right onto
Acorn Park Drive (before Route 2), stop at the end
How much: Free!
We will make our way past cattail marshes, tributaries, and maples to an idyllic view of Little Pond in Belmont and return via the same route.
Bring sturdy shoes and, optionally, a walking stick. The walk will take
place rain or shine. If it’s wet, don’t forget your wellies.
Saturday October 12, 10:00-12:00: The Past
Once part of the "Fresh Pond Marshes", the area around today's Little
River was once a victim to multiple types of pollution from late 19th
century industrialization and population growth, including from sewage
and slaughter houses. Today's Little River was originally dug as a new
channel for in 1908 in order to drain the marshes in
response to the resulting public health crisis: malaria. We will learn
about subsequent decisions to preserve the land as a park, the history
of farming in the area, the history of today's industrial park, and the
permitting process that led to the reclamation of what used to be a
parking lot and test labs for Arthur D Little. Come learn what has
worked, and what hasn't.
There will also be a walk focused on The Future on November 10 at 3:00.
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