Despite being a bustling urban neighborhood, Jamaica Plain is a true haven for nature lovers. It is embraced on three sides by the famous Emerald Necklace, a system of parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. With hundreds of acres of open space, from lush botanical gardens to natural kettle ponds and sprawling playgrounds, there are countless ways to find an escape from city life.
Here are some of the neighborhood’s beloved natural gems:
Arnold Arboretum
This stunning 265-acre botanical garden, a national historic landmark, is a joint effort between Harvard University and the Boston Parks Department. Home to over 14,000 woody plants, flowers, and trees, it’s a living museum that is free and open to the public. For 2025, please note that the Washington Street entrance at Forest Hills is undergoing renovations from February through October, with access rerouted to the Forest Hills Gate on the Arborway.
Boston Nature Center
Owned and managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Boston Nature Center at 500 Walk Hill Street is a remarkable 67-acre wildlife sanctuary. Once part of the Boston State Hospital property, it now features 30 acres of freshwater wetlands and Boston’s largest community gardens. Visitors can enjoy over two miles of trails and boardwalks while spotting a variety of wildlife, from red-tailed hawks to wild turkeys. The center offers low-cost programs year-round for all ages.
Jamaica Pond Park
As the largest natural body of fresh water in Boston, Jamaica Pond is a central jewel of the neighborhood. With a 1.5-mile path circling the water, it is one of the city’s most popular spots for running, walking, and enjoying a scenic stroll. The boathouse, operated by Courageous Sailing, offers seasonal rentals of sailboats, rowboats, and kayaks, making it easy to get out on the water.
Franklin Park and Zoo
As the largest park in the Emerald Necklace, the 527-acre Franklin Park offers an impressive array of activities, including hiking, picnicking, and a public 18-hole golf course. The Franklin Park Zoo is a major draw, with exciting new additions like the baby giraffe calf born in 2024 and the birth of 12 prairie dog pups in 2025. The park is overseen by new Executive Director Luis Perez Demorizi, who is leading the charge in its ongoing revitalization.
Forest Hills Cemetery
Considered one of Boston’s most beautiful and serene spots, Forest Hills is more than just a cemetery. Designed in the style of a European burial park, it is a significant sculpture garden and arboretum with an artificial lake. It’s the final resting place of notable figures like poet E.E. Cummings and Boston Celtics legend Reggie Lewis.
The Emerald Necklace
In addition to the major parks, two linear greenways connect the neighborhood. Olmsted Park, with its picturesque Leverett Pond and Daisy Field, stretches along the Jamaicaway. Meanwhile, the Southwest Corridor Park follows the MBTA’s Orange Line from downtown to Forest Hills, providing a vital green transportation and recreation corridor with bike paths, basketball courts, and playgrounds. The beloved DCR Kelly Outdoor Rink, located near the Stony Brook T station, is no longer “temporary” and continues to offer public ice skating from mid-December through mid-March.