Walking/Hiking
The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy; walk and be healthy. The best way to lengthen out our days is to walk steadily and with a purpose. Charles Dickens
All walking is discovery. On foot we take the time to see things whole. Hal Borland
Walking in Needham
Needham is a walkable town, with plenty of sidewalks and forest paths to entice us. It has been estimated 65% of Needham residents are within 1 mile walking distance of popular destinations such as Needham Center, Needham Library, and Needham Heights.
- A delightful little book available at the Needham Public Library is The Ferns & Fins Guide to Sidewalk Journeys in Needham, which includes directions, maps, and walking guides to sixteen pleasant neighborhood walks.
- You can download trail maps for some of Needham’s trails.
- Needham Parks and Recreation sponsors various hiking and walking activities. Their brochures are available online.
The Bay Colony Rail Trail project is working on creating a 7-mile walking/biking path along an unused railroad right of way. The path will run through beautiful conservation land and over the Charles River. The first section, a 1.7 mile multi-use path from the Needham Forest to Red Wing Bay, had its official opening on May 1, 2016. The Bay Colony Rail Trail project welcomes volunteers and supporters.
Resources:
- Needham’s Downtown Streetscapes Committee
- Executive Summary of the Needham Center Development Plan