


Poo-lution Solution
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Nov 11, 2021 | Blog, Preservation Campaigns
Most people have noticed at least a few poop bags littering the Blue Hills’ trails. But most people do not know that dog waste – in and out of a bag – is more than just a smelly annoyance. Dog waste in the park is an environmental pollutant that...
The Friends Partners with Local Groups to Advocate for Public Transportation Study
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Sep 10, 2021 | Blog, Preservation Campaigns
One hundred years ago the Blue Hills Reservation was created as a haven for city dwellers wanting to escape from the stress of urban life. At that time people could conveniently hop on trolleys that originated in Mattapan and other Boston neighborhoods to travel to...Protect the Blue Hills TODAY (Wednesday, April 13th)!
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Aug 1, 2021 | Blog, Preservation Campaigns
Protect our Parks.... Contact Your State Senator Today! Write or call your state senator to protect public lands. Act today to Protect the Blue Hills As you may know, our public land, including the Blue Hills, is vulnerable to ‘land exchanges.’ With a...
Survey and Save the Forest!
by Friends of the Blue Hills | Jun 21, 2021 | Blog, Preservation Campaigns
By volunteering just a few hours, you will make a big difference to the Blue Hills! What is ‘Survey and Save the Forest’? Survey and Save the Forest is a project to survey the most destructive invasive plants at Ponkapoag Pond so we can develop a...
Take Action: Protect our Parks from Bad Electric Bike Policy
by Friends of the Blue Hills | May 5, 2021 | Blog, Preservation Campaigns
We’ve recently learned that DCR is on the verge of a regulation change that would allow Class 1 electric bicycles access to all DCR trails currently open to traditional mountain bikes. Please send an email to the below elected officials to make sure that DCR develops...Upcoming Events
Sep
17
Wed
2025
2:00 pm
Wellness in the Wilderness
@ Houghton's Pond
Wellness in the Wilderness
@ Houghton's Pond
Sep 17 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Meet Ranger Dan at Houghton’s Pond near the Visitor Center This is a partner event with DCR and there will no sign up needed for this event. “Join us for quiet and contemplative relaxation program[...]
Sep
18
Thu
2025
10:00 am
Ashes to New Beginnings Hike
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot
Ashes to New Beginnings Hike
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot
Sep 18 @ 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[...]
6:30 pm
2025 Annual Celebration: Fuel th...
@ Irish Cultural Centre
2025 Annual Celebration: Fuel th...
@ Irish Cultural Centre
Sep 18 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

🎉 It’s More Than a Fundraiser — It’s a Celebration of Adventure Join us for an unforgettable evening that puts the fun in fundraising! Whether you come for the outdoor vibe, the vibrant community, or the chance to[...]
Sep
20
Sat
2025
7:00 am
Woman’s Only Hike With Evangeline
@ Houghton's Pond
Woman’s Only Hike With Evangeline
@ Houghton's Pond
Sep 20 @ 7:00 am – 9:00 am

Women’s Fitness-Focused Hike at Blue HillsMeeting Point: Houghton’s Pond Parking LotTime: 7:00 AM sharpLevel of Difficulty: Moderate to ChallengingDuration: Approximately 1.5 hours Join us for a women-only hike led by Evangeline, a Reiki Practitioner, yoga[...]
9:00 am
Nature Journaling for Kids
@ Houghton's Pond
Nature Journaling for Kids
@ Houghton's Pond
Sep 20 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

On our nature journaling hike, we will become young explorers and scientists. As we walk along the trails, we will use our eyes, ears, and even noses to discover the wonders of nature all around[...]
Sep
21
Sun
2025
10:00 am
Widow Walkers Hikes-9/21/25 Feel...
@ Widowmaker Brewing
Widow Walkers Hikes-9/21/25 Feel...
@ Widowmaker Brewing
Sep 21 @ 10:00 am

**The September 21st Hike Registration is now Full. Please sign up for the October, November or December Hike! Join the Friends of the Blue Hills along with our partners Widowmaker Brewing and ARC’TERYX at the[...]
Sep
23
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
Sep 23 @ 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? Join us as we take a light, three-mile hike through the beautiful Blue Hills Reservation and[...]
Sep
24
Wed
2025
2:00 pm
Wellness in the Wilderness
@ Houghton's Pond
Wellness in the Wilderness
@ Houghton's Pond
Sep 24 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Meet Ranger Dan at Houghton’s Pond near the Visitor Center This is a partner event with DCR and there will no sign up needed for this event. “Join us for quiet and contemplative relaxation program[...]
Sep
25
Thu
2025
2:00 pm
Fall Foliage Foray
@ Houghton's Pond
Fall Foliage Foray
@ Houghton's Pond
Sep 25 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Meet Ranger Dan at Houghton’s Pond near the Visitor Center This is a partner event with DCR and there will no sign up needed for this event. Come see autumn’s red blaze (and yellow and[...]
Sep
27
Sat
2025
9:00 am
Kid Friendly Hike
@ Houghton's Pond
Kid Friendly Hike
@ Houghton's Pond
Sep 27 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

The Signup is closed, If you would like to join the hike please meet Caitie at the Playground at 8:50 at Houghton’s Pond. Please check in with her there. Bring the whole family and join[...]
9:00 am
Neponset River Fall Cleanup: Mak...
@ Neponset River Watershed
Neponset River Fall Cleanup: Mak...
@ Neponset River Watershed
Sep 27 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Each year, hundreds of volunteers come together to clean up parks and shorelines throughout the Neponset River Watershed and they’d love to have you join them! There’s a role for everyone from hauling debris and[...]
10:00 am
Kyle Ollmann’s Memorial Hike
@ Shea Rink
Kyle Ollmann’s Memorial Hike
@ Shea Rink
Sep 27 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

A lifelong resident of Quincy Kyle was a graduate of Quincy High School, Class of 2019. Kyle’s family was extremely proud of him to have bought his first house at 22 years old after all[...]
5:30 pm
Evening Hike With Thomas
@ Houghton's Pond
Evening Hike With Thomas
@ Houghton's Pond
Sep 27 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 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[...]
Sep
28
Sun
2025
7:00 am
Every Body Hikes! Hike With Evan...
@ Houghton's Pond
Every Body Hikes! Hike With Evan...
@ Houghton's Pond
Sep 28 @ 7:00 am – 9:00 am

Meeting Point: Houghton’s Pond Parking LotTime: 7:00 AM sharp Level of Difficulty: ModerateDuration: Approximately 1.5 hours Join us for a refreshing coed wellness hike led by Evangeline—a Reiki Practitioner, yoga instructor, and community builder. These[...]
Oct
1
Wed
2025
7:00 am
Your Morning 3-Miler with Melissa
@ TBD
Your Morning 3-Miler with Melissa
@ TBD
Oct 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[...]
Oct
4
Sat
2025
7:00 am
Every Body Hikes! Hike With Evan...
@ Houghton's Pond
Every Body Hikes! Hike With Evan...
@ Houghton's Pond
Oct 4 @ 7:00 am – 9:00 am

Meeting Point: Houghton’s Pond Parking LotTime: 7:00 AM sharp Level of Difficulty: ModerateDuration: Approximately 1.5 hours Join us for a refreshing coed wellness hike led by Evangeline—a Reiki Practitioner, yoga instructor, and community builder. These[...]
9:00 am
Trail Maintenance at the Friends...
Trail Maintenance at the Friends...
Oct 4 @ 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[...]
Oct
5
Sun
2025
9:00 am
Colonial Road Runner Club Race
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot
Colonial Road Runner Club Race
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot
Oct 5 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

These trail races follow rolling courses over dirt roads and forest paths in the Houghton’s Pond section of the scenic DCR Blue Hills Reservation, a few miles south of Boston. The routes avoid steep hiking[...]
Oct
6
Mon
2025
10:00 am
Invasive Plant Removal location TBD
Invasive Plant Removal location TBD
Oct 6 @ 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,[...]
Oct
11
Sat
2025
9:00 am
iNaturalist Walk @ Houghton’s Pond
@ Houghton's Pond
iNaturalist Walk @ Houghton’s Pond
@ Houghton's Pond
Oct 11 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Join Us for an iNaturalist Hike at Houghton’s Pond with Friends of the Blue Hills! Please meet Ann and Suzanne right next to the playground at Houghton’s Pond! Discover the hidden wildlife around you with[...]
4:30 pm
2025 Sunset Hike and Hilltop Con...
@ Great Blue Hill
2025 Sunset Hike and Hilltop Con...
@ Great Blue Hill
Oct 11 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

What could be more spectacular than fall foliage? Experiencing it from the top of Great Blue Hill as the sun sets — picnic in hand and live music in the air from the Retro Rockets[...]
Oct
14
Tue
2025
10:00 am
Ashes to New Beginnings Hike
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot
Ashes to New Beginnings Hike
@ Houghton's Pond Parking Lot
Oct 14 @ 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. Join[...]