Waltham's Prospect Hill Park

According to a Friends group, Prospect Hill Park was "created in 1893 and covers 250 acres, entirely within the City of Waltham." At this size, it is a significant open space, and "perhaps the largest municipally-owned park inside the loop of Route 128. The park covers a ridge which features two significant peaks. At 485 feet above sea level, the higher of the two is the second highest point in the vicinity of Boston; only the Great Blue Hill stands taller. This peak has been called Great Prospect, but is more often referred to as Big Prospect, while its smaller associate, which stands at 435 feet, is known as Little Prospect. Both peaks provide excellent views of the Boston basin." Our pedo-research certainly bears this out. In addition to the peaks and overlooks, the area houses a number of camp and picnic sites, both served by a network of paved roads and wide open trails over which a relatively undemanding walk can be laid out. Not everything in the Park is a piece of cake though. Our favorite trail is little more than an Indian path; it features some serious verticals and wanders through woodland that can lull one into thinking the real world is infinitely far away.

From (roughly) 1940 to 1987, and again briefly in 1989 and 1990, Prospect Hill was a thriving ski area with a multiplicity of tows and lifts and a short but scary steep section.  Its primary attraction was proximity to Route 128; "drop in" skiers could stop by and knock off a few runs on the way home from work.  Those days are, unfortunately, gone.

The Park is located on Totten Pond Road, about a half mile from Route 128 on the right hand side for drivers in-bound toward Waltham.  To get there ...

From Route 128

Take Exit 27A (Totten Pond Road/Wyman Street) to Totten Pond Road, then east toward Waltham and Boston about a half mile down Totten Pond to Prospect Hill Park, prominently marked by a relatively large, pleasantly executed sign on the right. There's plenty of parking here, both immediately adjacent to Totten Pond Road and a little deeper into the Park where Waltham's Recreation Department is headquartered. Overflow from the skating rink situated just across Totten Pond Road sometimes fills the first lot; if you find this is the case, persevere. There'll be a spot closer to the base of the hill. 

For those who’re 128 averse

For southbounders it is, of course, possible to avoid 128 altogether by choosing to drive Spring Street from Lexington to Trapelo Road, then across Trapelo to Smith Street/Wyman Street and thence to Totten Pond Road. Other, more devious routes (Waltham Street from Lexington to Totten Pond Road) are also possible.

 For northbounders determined to avoid Route 128 at all cost, there's always Route 117 to Lexington Street to Winter Street, then up and over 128 to Totten Pond Road. The fully initiated will know other, better ways.