


Action Alert: Contact Your State Rep to Support Our Parks
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Apr 25, 2023 | Blog, Preservation Campaigns
Please contact your state legislator today to let them know you value our state parks and want to make sure they are adequately funded. See sample email below. While more people than ever are visiting state parks like the Blue Hills, funding to support the park...
Advocacy for Quincy Trails to the Blue Hills
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Apr 11, 2023 | Blog, Preservation Campaigns
Anne, a long-time Friends’ member, lived in an apartment complex adjacent to the Granite Links Golf Course. For over a year, she looked for a trail to the Blue Hills. She asked neighbors, friends, and employees at the golf course but, even though the course borders...Invasive Plants that Threaten the Blue Hills
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Mar 30, 2023 | Blog, Preservation Campaigns
Watch arboretum director, Debbie Merriam, to explore the world of invasive plants that live in the Blue Hills and threaten our native plants and animals. You’ll also learn how you can join volunteers and members of the Friends of the Blue Hills to control these...
Advocating for Access to the Blue Hills in Quincy
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Dec 19, 2022 | Blog, Preservation Campaigns
Thanks to the advocacy of Friends of the Blue Hills’ members and partners, the Quincy City Council held a public hearing and a public walking tour to learn more about the trails and increasing access to the Blue Hills. As a result, Quarry Hills Associates has...
Public Land Preservation Act — Passed!
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Nov 20, 2022 | Blog, Preservation Campaigns
Congratulations to the Friends of the Blue Hills’ members and all our partners! After more than two decades, we succeeded in passing the Public Lands Preservation Act! A huge thank you to Rep. Ruth Balser and Senator James B. Eldridge for sponsoring this bill...Upcoming Events
Jul
10
Thu
2025
7:00 pm
Evening Hike With Thomas
@ Route 28
Evening Hike With Thomas
@ Route 28
Jul 10 @ 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY:Â MODERATE Please Arrive Early as Parking may be limited! Thomas will wait for all hikers to arrive! 4-mile hike with moderate hills, rocky terrain and some larger obstacles. Join the Friends of the[...]
Jul
12
Sat
2025
9:00 am
Trail Maintenance at the Friends...
Trail Maintenance at the Friends...
Jul 12 @ 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[...]
9:30 am
Family Nature Exploration “Volca...
@ Houghton's Pond
Family Nature Exploration “Volca...
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 12 @ 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[...]
2:00 pm
A Hike around Houghton’s
@ Houghton's Pond
A Hike around Houghton’s
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 12 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Signup Below or just show up to the hike on Saturday at Houghton’s pond at 1:50pm! Join us Saturday July 12th for a hike around Houghton’s pond with our newest staff member Caitie. Give her[...]
Jul
13
Sun
2025
7:00 am
Hike with Evangeline
@ Houghton's Pond
Hike with Evangeline
@ Houghton's Pond
Jul 13 @ 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[...]
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[...]