In his 1890 Waverly Oaks report, Charles Eliot suggested that Boston residents look beyond the city and into the suburbs for natural scenery to foster and preserve “an education in the love of beauty” and a means of “human enjoyment.” Contemplate Eliot’s efforts and ideas as the National Park Service leads a Summer Solstice walking tour on Sunday, June 21 from 5 – 7 to ascend the “Great Blue Hill”, which at 635 ft, is the highest point within 10 miles of the Atlantic coast south of central Maine. Prepare for moderate hike over rugged and rocky terrain. Meets at the Trailside Museum Parking lot. Operated in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Blue Hills Trailside Museum is the interpretive center for the state-owned Blue Hills Reservation and features a natural history museum and outdoor wildlife exhibits. The animals on display, including snowy owls and a river otter, have been rescued and would not survive in the wild. Free. For more information visit http://www.nps.gov/frla/planyourvisit/walks-and-talks.htm. Photo from www.bu.edu.
