Forte Park is a large park just off of California St. The location features a large field with bleachers, soccer nets and a baseball diamond. Across the field is a a basketball court. A small "tot spot" with slides, swings and a climbing structure is also available.
One of the South End's most diverse and well-used parks, Peters Park offers basketball, tennis and handball courts, a baseball diamond, two dog parks and a playground, all surrounded by grassy fields, gardens and a dramatic outdoor sculpture.
The park's two off-leash dog runs have become a destination for South End dog walkers and owners. Both are gated and have access to running water and shaded benches. For toddlers, the park's tot lot features slides, swings and a jungle gym atop a soft surface. The athletic fields and courts at Peters Park are used by many neighborhood sporting groups including South End Baseball.
Public art also has a presence at Peters Park: A colorful mural is painted on the tennis court wall and a newly constructed sculpture entitled "Landwave" separates the baseball field from Washington Street.
With it's rolling hills, sprawling playground and sweeping views of the Boston skyline, Robbins Farm is a true Arlington treasure. Before becoming a park, the land was farmed for generations by members of the Robbins family, the last of whom, Nathan Robbins, was known to invite town children to play in his fields and orchards. The park was established in 1942 and rededicated in 2003 after significant renovations.
These days, one of the park's top attractions for Arlington children is a pair of long slides built into the hillside above its sprawling woodchip playground, which includes swings, slides and several unusual features, including a child-sized tractor and barn made of wood. Uphill from the playground, park goers will find basketball courts, a baseball diamond and large level playing field for soccer. The farm is also adjacent to the Brackett School playground, which is closed to the public during schools hours.
A popular site for kiting, Robbins Farm also plays host to summertime movies and the town's Fourth of July celebration. The park is supported by the Friends of Robbins Farm Park, which maintains a Web site www.robbinsfarmpark.org. The site includes updates on renovation projects as well as information about the various far-off points visible from the park.
The park is also home to the Robbins Farm Garden, a cooperative agriculture education project. The group maintains a Web site at www.robbinsfarmgarden.org.
Organized teams must request a field permit from the Arlington Recreation Department by calling 781-316-3880 before using town fields.
Lyons Park, known to most as Dane Street Beach, is a 7 acre field and beach area located on Route 127.
Overlooking Beverly Harbor and Salem’s waterfront, the beach area is popular throughout the year for picnicing, sports, and relaxing.
The beach offers a parking lot, as well as on street parking on Lothrop Street. Handicapped accessibility is available on approximately one third of the benches, and Dane Street Beach is located along accessible pathways. The children's playground area is not handicapped accesible.
Brophy Elementary was named for educators Rose Brophy and her sister Anna Brophy.
Located in the west end of town, Brophy hosts an annual Science Fair, Math Night, Variety Show, and Multicultural Fair. Brophy's Kids Who Care Club has been nationally recognized for its community service projects.
Genzyme Corporation partners with Brophy for the Reading Pals program where volunteers read with 1st grade partners weekly. Other activities include Family Fun Nights and the annual Welcome Picnic.
The elementary school has English Language Learner (ELL) programs in Spanish.
The principal is Frank Rothwell.
The school has about 450 students. Seventeen percent of the students are special education students and more than 60% of the students indicated English is not their first language.
The YMCA offers an after-care program on-site, for an additional fee.
The Dr. Walter A. Griffin Playground, also referred to as the Walter Griffin Playground and the Ames Street Fields, is a public park operated by the city's recreation department. It features a variety of facilities including a playground, basketball court, picnic areas and baseball and softball diamonds.
The five-acre Shields Park has a Little League field and a playground, set beside a free, dirt parking lot.
Briggs Playground is located on Route 3A in Manomet across from the Manomet Fire Station. The land was provided by the Briggs family and purchased by the town in 1971. The park includes a little league baseball field, two tennis courts, a swing set and a slide.
In July and August the Boston Common Frog Pond is transformed into a wading pool and water fountain. The pool is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6p.m.
From November to mid-March, the Frog Pond becomes a skating rink. Admission is $5 for those 14 and older and free for those 13 and younger. Adult skates can be rented for $9 a pair and children's skates can be rented for $5 a pair. Lockers are available for $2. Season passes are also available, and the skating rink can be rented out for private events on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to close.
The Carousel on the Common operates April through October and tickets are $3 a ride. It's open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Frog Pond Café serves up food to hungry swimmers or skaters from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The Skating Club of Boston operates and manages the Frog Pond Skating Rink.
This swimming and fishing pond is part of the Blue Hills Reservation that's operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The pond itself is 24-acres wide and up to 42 feet deep. Seasonally, there is stocked fishing, supervised swimming, a concession pavilion and visitor's center. Surrounding the pond is a playground, ball fields and available hiking as part of the Reservation's 125 miles of trails. Supervised swimming is open in July and August from 10am to 6pm daily.
