Belle Isle Marsh Reservation

Belle Isle Marsh Reservation
Metropolitan Park System of Greater Boston
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Suffolk
Municipality Boston
Location Bennington Street
 - elevation 0 ft (0 m) [1]
 - coordinates 42°23′21″N 70°59′21″W / 42.38917°N 70.98917°W / 42.38917; -70.98917Coordinates: 42°23′21″N 70°59′21″W / 42.38917°N 70.98917°W / 42.38917; -70.98917 [1]
Area 188 acres (76 ha) [2]
Founded 1985
Management Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Location in Massachusetts
Website: Belle Isle Marsh Reservation

Belle Isle Marsh Reservation is an urban nature preserve and public recreation area protecting 188 acres (76 ha) of the 241-acre (98 ha) Belle Isle Marsh, the last remnant within Boston of the salt marshes that were once prevalent along the Massachusetts Bay shoreline. The marsh is home to multiple species of saltmarsh plants, fish, and shellfish, most rare in a metropolitan area. The reservation is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.[3]

History

Formerly an actual island,[4] Belle Isle was also called Hog's Island and later Breeds Island.[5] Part of the island is now Orient Heights.

Activities and amenities

Features of the reservation include landscaped hiking paths, benches, an observation tower, and handicap access.[3] A portion of the Boston Harborwalk runs through the reservation.

References

  1. 1 2 "Belle Isle Inlet Marshes". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. ↑ "2012 Acreage Listing" (PDF). Department of Conservation and Recreation. April 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Belle Isle Marsh Reservation". MassParks. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  4. ↑ See, e.g., Middlesex Canal map, 1852.
  5. ↑ "Island Facts: Belle Isle". Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. National Park Service. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.