Visitor Stories

Publishing visitor-submitted park stories from the Emerald Necklace!

Have a passion to tell about your experience in the Emerald Necklace? Share your story with us today at info@emeraldnecklace.org and get published on our website!

[Click here to access the Stories Project - the Conservancy's growing video archive of park stories.]

Birds of a Feather - By Gerry Wright
Bird Songs Victorious over "Winter Cold" in Springtime - By Gerry Wright
Fall Birding in the Emerald Necklace: “The Coots have arrived on Jamaica Pond” - By Gerry Wright
Paddling the Muddy River - By Joseph Flack Weiler
A Reverse Connecticut Yankee - By Joseph Flack Weiler
A Fall Friday Morning in Franklin Park - By Julie Crockford
Writing the Riverway - By Philip E. Burnham, Jr.
Birthday Greetings VI; Riverway - A Poem by Philip E. Burnham, Jr.

Birds of a Feather - By Gerry Wright

Conservancy Sponsors Bird Walks

Photo by Peter Barber

On consecutive Saturdays in November, the Conservancy sponsored two entertaining and educational bird walks. The first, on November 12, was led by Marc Devokaitis of the Arnold Arboretum with assistance from two knowledgeable and passionate “birders,” Marygrace Barber and James Taylor. Warm temperatures and sunshine prevailed and the Back Bay Fens provided a picturesque environment for the subsequent spotting of 27 different species. Within minutes of leaving the Shattuck Visitor Center, the group spied a majestic Great Blue Heron standing motionless at 20 yards! Other species were more difficult to spot, but the glorious view of a red tailed hawk flying directly overhead and then perching in a nearby oak tree was a special treat. The sight of a yellowthroat warbler charmed us all and was of special interest in the growing documentation that our warming climate is affecting when different species migrate. The warming climate has also brought species from the south into our area, such as the red-bellied woodpecker. And the cardinal, now a common species, was not in this area fifty years ago.

Photo by Jack Barry

Participants who did not have binoculars were provided a handy “bird backpack” containing binoculars and other aides to enhance the experience. (These backpacks are available for loan free of charge and can be picked up at the Shattuck Visitor Center.)

The next week, accompanied by naturalist Stephen Baird and the aforementioned Marygrace Barber and James Taylor, I led a group of forty people along Jamaica Pond on a very windy day, which gave a winter chill to an otherwise bright and beautiful Saturday morning. Everyone had a chance to get tremendous views of the waterfowl through a telescope brought by Marygrace Barber. One of the highlights was wonderful views of the Common Loon, not seen at Jamaica Pond on a regular basis. Taylor shared a wealth of information on identification techniques and specific bird characteristics to watch for while Baird explained in fascinating detail how birds feed, build nests and protect themselves. A total of 23 waterfowl and lands birds were identified. By the end of the walk, in the wind-protected area of Hellenic Hill and the Jamaica Hills, everyone was feeling rewarded and enriched through being immersed in nature and the incredible diversity and beauty of Birdlife in the Necklace.

Click here for more stunning photos of birds from the walks>>

Bird Songs Victorious over "Winter Cold" in Springtime - By Gerry Wright

Editor's Note: Gerry Wright is a founder of Friends of Jamaica Pond. An Olmsted enthusiast, Gerry has written a play, "Frederick Law Olmsted, Passages in the Life of an Unpractical Man," performing as Mr. Olmsted himself in productions.

From the Fens around the Emerald Necklace Visitor Center to Scarboro Pond in Franklin Park, the songs of the early arrival birds of March have been producing "symphonies of music!" Standing amidst trees and bushes, along the water's edge, red-winged blackbirds and grackles have combined for a wonderful symphony of sound in the midst of spring’s mid-winter cold and freezing winds.

Such a tribute to the relentless “Force of Nature!” Along with the crocus flower emerging from the cold earth, glorious signs of spring are the songs of March - when the cardinal whistles it's strong notes, and the Black-capped chickadee shifts into a plaintive call for loving nature. As we human beings complain of these chilling winds, nature's creatures are rejoicing, for instinctively they know, springtime is arriving.

Wintering ducks have left our waterways. The song sparrow is now bringing forth a full-throated call, rather than the "chip chips" of winter. And soon, when the South Winds begin to blow, the countryside of the Emerald Necklace will be filled with multiple new species, some arriving to set up nesting territories and others passing through, on their travels from Central and South America to northern New England and Canada. Let us prepare ourselves for this glorious parade of Nature within all the parks of the Emerald Necklace, and many other "Urban Wilds" in Boston and Brookline, and, as we step out our front doors across the city landscapes!

If you have any questions and/or observations: fredericklawolmsted@yahoo.com

Fall Birding in the Emerald Necklace: "The Coots have arrived on Jamaica Pond" - By Gerry Wright

Bird photo identification below!

Photos courtesy of Stephen Baird, a Naturalist for the Emerald Necklace

In 1958 I became infatuated with the "Bird Life" in the Emerald Necklace, when working at the New England Home for Little Wanderers in Jamaica Plain and Boston State Hospital in Mattapan. Driving from Boston University provided the opportunity of visiting the waters along the way— the Muddy River in the Fens, Leverett Pond in Olmsted Park, Jamaica Pond, and Scarboro Pond in Franklin Park. In the fall and winter these wonderful water sanctuaries provided magnificent opportunities to observe both waterfowl and birds whose "feeding grounds" are ponds and streams.

Frederick Law Olmsted envisioned and planned for these experiences. In a report to Commissioners of the proposed park system in l879, Olmsted wrote: "The one element of value (to surpass) any public park in the world: I mean that of birds, and especially of water fowl.... the extent of quiet water and of shores, and the character of the vegetation upon time will allow large numbers and a great variety......"

Today we continue to receive this gift of Nature. We stand in wonder when we observe the brilliance of the Wood Duck and Hooded Merganser!

On Jamaica Pond the Coots have arrived. People describe this unique species as "adorable" and "cute" as they weave and bob as surface feeders. Cormorants, year-round visitors, are always fascinating as they swim in "feeding teams," diving and disappearing to capture their prey. A large group of Ruddy Ducks have arrived at the pond. Always a joy, especially when the tail stands straight up! These species will be followed by others, including the Ring-Necked, Scaup, Pintail, and Green-Winged Teal. Back in the 1960s and 70s, Canvassback, Redhead, and Goldeneye were common, but with more people and dogs around some species prefer more protected areas.

Along with ducks, three species of Gulls may be observed: the Herring, Ring Billed, and Great Black Backed. A pair of Mute Swans is presently at Jamaica Pond. And of course, the Mallard and Black ducks are discovered throughout the Necklace all year.

A somewhat rare sight has been the Osprey at Jamaica Pond. A hawk, the Osprey feeds on fish, spotting them as it soars high above the waters, hovering with highly beating wings, when suddenly it folds its wings and dives straight down for the prey! An awesome sight, indeed. Several years ago, in another spectacular sighting, a Bald eagle was feeding on the carcass of a Canada goose laying on a shimmering sheet of ice at the pond.

Throughout the winter a person can spot the statuesque grandeur of the Great Blue Heron along the entire Necklace from The Fens to Franklin Park. (Stephen Baird, a Naturalist for the Emerald Necklace, has extraordinary pictures of these and many other birds, butterflies, trees, mammals and scenes of The Necklace. (see www.FriendsOfJamaicaPond.org)

Did you guess the birds? Top left: Wood Duck. Top Right: Hooded Merganser. Above: Osprey at Jamaica Pond, Fall 2010.

If you have any questions and/or observations: fredericklawolmsted@yahoo.com

Paddling the Muddy River - By Joseph Flack Weiler

About the Author: Joseph Flack Weiler has lived, played and jogged around many parts of the Emerald Necklace. This photo essay has allowed the opportunity to combine his love of the Emerald Necklace as parkland and admiration for Frederick Law Olmsted’s landscape design into one statement. He has photographed the Fens through the eyes of a 19th century photographer transported forward to the 21st century. It is a tribute to Olmsted that even under the Mass Pike you can sense the value of Olmsted’s work.

Paddling the Muddy River through the Back Bay Fens has always been on my “must-do list.” I started at dawn from the Higginson Circle “Fens Bridge” and paddled downstream. A curious Great Blue Heron watched as I navigated my way around various flotsam and jetsam. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum loomed up on my starboard side just before I zigzagged through the derelict Evans Way footbridge pilings. I could feel the eyes of the Museum of Fine Arts’ children’s-head sculptures watching my progress. The current is weak, at best. As I paddled past the old Japanese Temple Bell, I had my first view of the Prudential Tower looming above this bucolic stretch, reminding me that I was in a major metropolitan city.

Above: Stony Brook confluence with the Muddy River

Next was the new Emerald Necklace Conservancy Visitor Center at the confluence of Stony Brook and the Muddy River. The Stony Brook Culvert has a sign for ducks and kayakers, “Warning: Wet weather sewage discharge outfall.” At this very early hour the Culvert had a case of really bad breath in need of a few gallons of Listerine. (Stony Brook starts at Turtle Pond in the Stony Brook Reservation of West Roxbury. The Pond is still home to Sunfish and Perch. Stony Brook was culverted in the 19th century and flows underground through twelve-foot-wide cement pipes.)

Above: Agassiz Road Bridge, dripping with vines

The Muddy River widens as it sweeps up to the Agassiz Road puddingstone arched bridge. At this point, as I eased past overhanging vines, I felt that I might meet Kurtz from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. With the Victory Gardens on my port side I had an excellent view of the Prudential looming up amongst the phragmities that F. L. Olmsted introduced.

Above: View of the Pru from the Muddy River

Next I paddled under the magnificent Boylston Street Bridge, designed by H. H. Richardson, and up to the Massachusetts Turnpike. The Pike destroyed any early morning illusions as to where I really was.

Above: The Massachusetts Turnpike crosses the Muddy River

I turned and paddled back, enjoying the scenery as a film in reverse. It was a great paddle, less than two miles both ways. The kayak allowed a unique up-close water view of Frederick Law Olmsted’s work 116 years after he completed the Fenway portion of the Emerald Necklace.

Author's Note: Olmsted’s 1881 plan, “The Sanitary Improvement of the Muddy River,” illustrates his solutions for controlling sewage and flooding as well as providing a public park. In 2011, The Muddy River Restoration Project plans to daylight the river in front of the Landmark Center and remove sediment to improve water flow. So, my next Muddy River paddle should be much less muddy!

More about the Back Bay Fens and Riverway here.

A Reverse Connecticut Yankee - By Joseph Flack Weiler

Frederick Law Olmsted could see into the future! He correctly predicated the need for “urban open spaces.” His 19th-century Boston Back Bay Fens landscape design opened up the Muddy River and drained a sewage-like city swamp. The Rose Garden, Victory Gardens, baseball fields and walking paths make life more enjoyable for the 21st-century city dweller.

If Frederick could travel into the future, to be a Reverse Connecticut Yankee, and see this section of the Emerald Necklace today, what would he see?

The following photographs were made in 2010, with black and white film and developed and printed in the same manner as 19th-century photographs. The Muddy River passes under the 19th-century Boylston Bridge on its way to the Charles River. The bridge was designed by H. H. Richardson and constructed with granite from the quarries of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. I am sure Mr. Olmsted would marvel at the 20th-century 52-story Prudential Tower seen at the top of the photo. passes under the 19th-century Boylston Bridge on its way to the Charles River. The bridge was designed by H. H. Richardson and constructed with granite from the quarries of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. I am sure Mr. Olmsted would marvel at the 20th-century 52-story Prudential Tower seen at the top of the photo. Next the Muddy River passes under the railroad and the Mass Pike. There is no way that Mr. Olmsted could have predicted the noise level here with cars hurtling overhead at mile-a-minute speeds and Amtrak pounding down the overhead rails. This is the grimiest section of the Emerald Necklace, suitable for a film noir, but definitely not a restorative spot. passes under the railroad and the Mass Pike. There is no way that Mr. Olmsted could have predicted the noise level here with cars hurtling overhead at mile-a-minute speeds and Amtrak pounding down the overhead rails. This is the grimiest section of the Emerald Necklace, suitable for a film noir, but definitely not a restorative spot. At last the Muddy River flows into the Charles River.The confluence has all the beauty of a drainage pipe. (The muddy River joins the Charles near the land on the right side of the photo.) I hope that Mr. Olmsted would be impressed with Boston’s iconic CITGO Sign!

A Fall Friday Morning in Franklin Park - By Julie Crockford

Editor's Note: Julie Crockford is President of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. Photos courtesy of Julie Crockford

After a few rainy days last week, the morning of Friday October 8th dawned beautifully and we set out for Franklin Park. My dogs and I wandered the trails around Scarboro Pond and as they sniffed the wet grass, I searched the waters for the Great Blue Heron.

As we explored, we exchanged greetings with lots of people—notably joggers and walkers exercising on Scarboro Hill as well as on the 2.5 mile Outer Loop. We encountered commuters walking and biking to work while others filled the tennis courts, watched for birds and exercised their dogs. As golfers competed on the green, the dogs and I were warmed by the sun and observed the slightest color changes as the trees began to turn. As the weather moves towards Autumn, I look forward to the rich reds and yellows New England is famous for, but for now, the bright mornings and cheerful greens of Franklin Park provide the perfect start to any day.

Writing the Riverway - By Philip E. Burnham, Jr.

(Editor's note: Last year we ran a poem by Philip Burnham entitled, “Birthday Greetings VI; The Riverway” in our February E-newsletter. We recently asked him about the inspiration for the poetry. Here's his story.)

One mild October evening in 1959, when I was a senior in college, I asked my girlfriend, Louise, to marry me. We were sitting on a bench in the Riverway after attending a performance of Shaw’s play Heartbreak House, hardly the sort of drama to encourage a proposal of marriage. Louise was a student at Wheelock College. Her dormitory faced the Riverway, so the park was a quiet and private place to stop before returning to her dorm.

The Riverway was also a familiar place during our year of courtship. There on the paths beside the water we walked and sat in the fall and spring, escaping the city, our school life, and the crowded company of other students.

Here in Boston, the closeness of parkland to urban life made the Riverway an appealing attraction. It took so little time to cross the street from Wheelock to wander along the paths bordering the water where the waterfowl swam in the pools and among the reeds growing along the banks. The great trees, many of them oaks, spread a welcome canopy of shade and color over us, and the grass invited us to sit by the water and forget the world beyond.

During Louise’s senior year, we returned to the Riverway as a young married couple. After her graduation we lived in England and then in France for several years returning to spend the balance of our years together in the suburbs of Boston. The Riverway was never forgotten, but it was not a frequent part of our family life, except to tell the story of its beginning.

When Louise died in 2002 I returned to writing poetry, something I had done periodically, but not regularly. Many of the poems dealt with loss and remembrance. I began a series of poems written every February, Louise’s birthday month, called Birthday Greetings. One of those poems became the poem about the Riverway. I did some research about the Emerald Necklace and the Conservancy that cares for it, and from that information and memory, I made the poem.

But this story has another aspect to it. In 2004 I began to date a widow, Chris, who worked in the medical area off Longwood Avenue near the Riverway. She told me that she often walked there or ate lunch there to enjoy the fresh air and the closeness of nature. She suggested that we meet there for a picnic lunch and so we did, more than once. The Riverway, its paths worn with my own earlier walks there, was once again a place of recreation and renewal as both of us moved from worlds of separation into an unknown world of future commitment. After our walks or picnic, Chris would return to her office as Louise had returned to her college residence long ago. Those quiet moments shared under the trees, along the paths, beside the water--reaffirming our lives with the continuing enchantment of the Riverway.

Birthday Greetings VI; The Riverway

out of a muddy river, a water's way
of creation, a dream of ponds and paths,
an ocean waiting at the end of a stream
at the beginning, a meander chain
of light-catcher pools strung together
like rough-cut jewels on a ripple necklace
where broad salt marshes once spread
over a brackish flood, now routed
between sculpted banks, cleared of underbrush
and shadowed in stands of beech and oak.

it was when October slept in the trees
and the river's reeds remembered summer
sunlight filtering down to the water
where ducks and geese, swans and herons
swam and flew into the evening
on a night halfway to winter
you and i sat on a bench in this house of leaves,
inlaid with river, a ceiling of stars,
i asked you to imagine forever,
and when i asked again, you said yes.

so you brought me your dream of creation,
channeling my meanderings
clearing banks of overgrown intentions
designing paths through a landscape
planting brave trees into the future
settling shallows with tawny reeds
stirring the air with the wings of water birds
making an emerald necklace of our lives,
an intentionally civilized wilderness
forty years before we came to the ocean.

Philip E. Burnham, Jr., a Cambridge resident, has published four books of poetry. He taught history in the Boston area for more than 35 years. His appreciation for the Riverway reaches back to the 1950's when, as a young man, he strolled along the waterway with his future wife, then a student at Wheelock College. He continues to visit the area and wrote this poem as part of a series of birthday greetings to his wife who passed away in 2002. We thank him for allowing us to share this beautiful poem with you.