4 Hidden Spots You Didn’t Know Existed in Boston’s Franklin Park

If you grew up in the greater Boston area, chances are that you have taken a school field trip or family outing to the Franklin Park Zoo. While this well-known city attraction is a fascinating place to view a variety of wildlife and visit some interesting exhibits, you may be surprised to learn that there are several hidden spots in Franklin Park that you may also want to return to explore. If you seek to discover all this fantastic local spot has to offer (including some hidden bits of history), check out these lesser-known attractions in Franklin Park.

1. Scarboro Pond

Franklin Park is actually the largest open green space in all of Boston. It was designed in the 1890s by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, and connects the five urban neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, and Roslindale. The 85-acre park is part of the greater Emerald Necklace, a seven-mile urban stretch of linked waterways and green spaces.

One of the most beautiful and serene places within Franklin Park is Scarboro Pond, a man-made body of water surrounded by ancient beech trees and gorgeous white pines. This peaceful oasis is a wonderful spot to walk or just sit and take in the scenery. The pond is also a fantastic place to birdwatch. Be on the lookout for ducks, songbirds, geese, and horned owls. 

2. Schoolmaster Hill

I was surprised to discover that a little slice of American literary history is hidden in Franklin Park, at a scenic spot called Schoolmaster Hill. It was here that Massachusetts author and transcendentalist, Ralph Waldo Emerson, lived in a tiny cabin from 1823 to 1824 while he served as a local schoolmaster. The spot is now marked with a plaque that contains one of Emerson’s poems. It also holds the ruins of an old lookout that was destroyed by fire almost a decade ago. Schoolmaster Hill is a lovely spot to enjoy a picnic. 

3. Elma Lewis Playhouse

And there is even more history to be discovered when you head over to the Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park. Lewis was the founder of the 1950s Elma Lewis School for Fine and Performing Arts, a community art school for African-American children and adults. A decade later, she built the playhouse stage at Franklin Park and hosted nightly summer events, which included shows featuring Duke Ellington and the Billy Taylor Trio. Today, the playhouse remains a popular spot for concerts and performances.

4. Abandoned Bear Dens

If you would like to view a more mysterious piece of Franklin Park history, you will want to visit the abandoned bear dens. These dens once held various species of bears, a well-loved exhibit from the time the original zoo opened in 1912 until its closing in 1954. The new adjacent zoo does not currently have bears on exhibit, but the original dens continue to be an eerie and fascinating feature of Franklin Park.   

Tips for Exploring Franklin Park

There is so much to do at Franklin Park that I suggest setting aside several hours to explore all of its features. There are also numerous beautiful spots to stop and enjoy a picnic. Be sure to consult a map (available on the park’s web page) before you go. Parking is available at the park, or you can arrive via public transportation.

Best Time to Visit These Hidden Spots in Franklin Park

Franklin Park is open year-round and offers something special with every season. In addition to the above-mentioned highlights, other things to do in Franklin Park include hitting the green at the historic William J. Devine Golf Course, catching a football game at White Stadium, and exploring the park's miles of walking and biking trails. And if you haven’t visited the Franklin Park Zoo in a while, you might just want to pop in and say hi to the plethora of animals, which come from all around the world. You can find more information about this fabulous urban park at the City of Boston Franklin Park website. And if you enjoy your day at Franklin Park, you may also want to check out the hidden sights along Boston's Charles River Esplanade.