What’s bugging them? Discover threats to insects!
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Jun 28, 2018 | FaceBook Live
The Blue Hills are alive in many ways. We hear birds sing, see animal prints in the mud, and smell the beautiful flowers (and sneeze from their pollen). There is also so much life crawling in the grass or flying around us–I’m talking about the insects!...The changing ecology at Quincy Quarries
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Jun 21, 2018 | FaceBook Live
Rick Kesseli is back to talk about how human development can change the flora and fauna in an area. At Quincy Quarries, mankind has been changing the land for the past 200 years. Learn about the types of native and non-native species that reside there now and...Hidden History at Lyon’s Turning Mill
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Jun 20, 2018 | Blog, FaceBook Live
Did you know that the northeastern-most part of the Blue Hills helped fuel a booming business that provided granite to many historic monuments and buildings? Just next door to the Blue Hills lies the amazing remains of the Lyon’s Turning Mill. Explore the...Rock climbing at Quincy Quarries
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Jun 7, 2018 | Blog, FaceBook Live
Check out this week’s Blue Hills A-Live to learn about rock climbing in Quincy Quarries in the Blue Hills. Doug Martland from Eastern Mountain Sports tells us how to get started, identify good routes, and how to get climbing in Quincy Quarries!Discovering what lies on top of the Blue Hills
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Jun 7, 2018 | Blog, FaceBook Live
In this week, on Blue Hills A-Live, we learn from Rick Kesseli about the plant life that survives on top of these Blue Hills. Next time you climb Great Blue, Buck, or Chickatawbut hill, be sure to not only take in the vast views but to observe the life right at your...Upcoming Events
Jul
19
Sat
2025
9:30 am
Family Nature Exploration “Fire ...
@ Houghton's Pond
Family Nature Exploration “Fire ...
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 19 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am

Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 9:20 to get started on time! Forest fires have impacted these hills for as long as humans have lived here. Discover the history of[...]
1:00 pm
Nice and Easy Hiking Series
@ Houghton's Pond
Nice and Easy Hiking Series
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at the Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 12:50 to make sure you are on time for the Hike! Looking to get outdoors and take a gentle, guided hike in the[...]
Jul
20
Sun
2025
10:00 am
Beginners’ Hike with Bruce
@ Houghton's Pond Recreation Area
Beginners’ Hike with Bruce
@ Houghton's Pond Recreation Area
Jul 20 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Beginners’ Hike with Bruce Event Details: – When: Sunday, June 8th 10:00 am-12:00 pm – Meeting Point: Playground at Houghton’s Pond – Leaders: Bruce Dezube – Sign-Up: Guests must sign up in advance Hike Description: Join Bruce for[...]
10:00 am
Widow Walkers Hikes-7/20/25 Sign...
@ Widowmaker Brewing
Widow Walkers Hikes-7/20/25 Sign...
@ Widowmaker Brewing
Jul 20 @ 10:00 am

Join the Friends of the Blue Hills along with our partners Widowmaker Brewing and ARC’TERYX at the 2025 Widow Walkers Hike Series. All hikes will meet at Widowmaker Brewing, 200 Wood Road Braintree and the[...]
Jul
21
Mon
2025
10:00 am
Invasive Plant Removal
@ Farnham Connolly
Invasive Plant Removal
@ Farnham Connolly
Jul 21 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Volunteer Event: Invasive Species Removal at Friends of the Blue Hills Join us for a hands-on volunteer event aimed at removing harmful invasive species, Mile-A-Minute, from our beautiful local park. These plants disrupt native ecosystems,[...]
Jul
24
Thu
2025
10:00 am
Be Kind! Bug Hunt
@ Houghton's Pond
Be Kind! Bug Hunt
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 24 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Get ready to go on a bug hunt, where we will become bug detectives searching for tiny creatures hiding in the grass, under rocks, and in trees. We’ll provide everything you need, so all you[...]
Jul
25
Fri
2025
9:00 am
Trail Maintenance! Brushing back...
@ Houghton's Pond
Trail Maintenance! Brushing back...
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 25 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Join us for a day of trail maintenance as we work together to “brush the trails”! Volunteers will help clear overgrown vegetation, remove debris, and improve visibility and safety along the Blue Hills trail system.[...]
Jul
26
Sat
2025
9:30 am
Family Nature Exploration “Volca...
@ Houghton's Pond
Family Nature Exploration “Volca...
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 26 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am

Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 9:20 to get started on time! Hundreds of millions of years ago the Blue Hills was a raging volcano. Join us for a geological[...]
1:00 pm
Nice and Easy Hiking Series
@ Houghton's Pond
Nice and Easy Hiking Series
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Meet DCR Ranger Dan B. at the Houghton’s Pond Visitor Center at 12:50 to make sure you are on time for the Hike! Looking to get outdoors and take a gentle, guided hike in the[...]
Jul
28
Mon
2025
10:00 am
Ashes to New Beginnings Hike
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot
Ashes to New Beginnings Hike
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot
Jul 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: MODERATE This hike will be approximately 3 miles, with some elevated difficult terrain and rocky obstacles. Wear sturdy footwear. This hike will begin at 840 Hillside St, Houghton’s Pond, by the playground. Hikes[...]
Jul
29
Tue
2025
6:00 pm
Book Club with the Friends of th...
@ Houghton's Pond
Book Club with the Friends of th...
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 29 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Registration is OPEN! Signup HERE. Looking for a new way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with fellow readers? This summer, we’re bringing stories to life on the trails with the Book Club with the[...]
Aug
1
Fri
2025
7:00 am
Your Morning 3-Miler
@ TBD
Your Morning 3-Miler
@ TBD
Aug 1 @ 7:00 am – 8:30 am

How do you start your mornings before work? Brew a cup of coffee, read the news, or watch some TV? Friends of the Blue Hills has a better idea… Why not start your day with[...]
Aug
2
Sat
2025
9:00 am
Hike with Kay!
@ Braintree Pass Path Trailhead
Hike with Kay!
@ Braintree Pass Path Trailhead
Aug 2 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

This hike will be meeting at Braintree Pass Path Trailhead, 1331 Randolph Ave, Milton, MA 02186 at 9:00am Sharp Take a look at the change in the natural beauty and the regrowth since the fires[...]
Aug
3
Sun
2025
10:00 am
Widow Walkers Hikes-8/3/25 Frien...
@ Widowmaker Brewing
Widow Walkers Hikes-8/3/25 Frien...
@ Widowmaker Brewing
Aug 3 @ 10:00 am

Join the Friends of the Blue Hills along with our partners Widowmaker Brewing and ARC’TERYX at the 2025 Widow Walkers Hike Series. All hikes will meet at Widowmaker Brewing, 200 Wood Road Braintree and the[...]
Aug
7
Thu
2025
7:00 am
Hike with Evangeline
@ Houghton's Pond
Hike with Evangeline
@ Houghton's Pond
Aug 7 @ 7:00 am – 9:00 am

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: MODERATE Evangeline is a Reiki Practitioner, yoga instructor, and community builder. She guides monthly hikes in the Blue Hills, offers Reiki healing sessions, and hosts workshops and retreats. Evangeline’s hikes will be offered[...]
Aug
9
Sat
2025
8:30 am
Walk with a Doc
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot A-
Walk with a Doc
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot A-
Aug 9 @ 8:30 am

This walking program is a fun and safe place to take a walk (at your pace), learn health tips from local healthcare professionals, and meet new people. The event is FREE and all are welcome![...]
9:00 am
iNaturalist Walk @ Houghton’s Pond
@ Houghton's Pond
iNaturalist Walk @ Houghton’s Pond
@ Houghton's Pond
Aug 9 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Join Us for an iNaturalist Hike at Houghton’s Pond with Friends of the Blue Hills! Discover the hidden wildlife around you with naturalists Ann Schunior and Suzanne Mrozak during a guided iNaturalist hike at Houghton’s[...]
9:00 am
Trail Maintenance at the Friends...
Trail Maintenance at the Friends...
Aug 9 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join us for a volunteer day dedicated to maintaining and improving the trails at The Friends of the Blue Hills. We’ll focus on essential tasks like brushing back overgrowth, clearing debris, raking paths, picking up[...]
6:00 pm
Evening Hike With Thomas
@ Houghton's Pond
Evening Hike With Thomas
@ Houghton's Pond
Aug 9 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY:Â MODERATE Please meet Thomas at Houghton’s Pond. He will wait for all hikers to arrive! 4-mile hike with moderate hills, rocky terrain and some larger obstacles. Join the Friends of the Blue Hills[...]
Aug
11
Mon
2025
10:00 am
Invasive Plant Removal
@ Farnham Connolly
Invasive Plant Removal
@ Farnham Connolly
Aug 11 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Volunteer Event: Invasive Species Removal at Friends of the Blue Hills Join us for a hands-on volunteer event aimed at removing harmful invasive species, Mile-A-Minute, from our beautiful local park. These plants disrupt native ecosystems,[...]
Aug
12
Tue
2025
5:30 pm
Professional Photography Meets S...
@ WidowMaker Brewery
Professional Photography Meets S...
@ WidowMaker Brewery
Aug 12 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

End your Tuesday afternoon with a refreshing hike and photo walk led by professional photographer Matt, one of our amazing partners at Widowmaker Brewing. Check Out Matt’s WorkFollow Matt on social media and get inspired[...]