62 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY 



The Rivers. — ^Along the Charles River takings were recommended from Boston to 

 Newton Lower Falls, including territory upon both banks, forming nearly continuous 

 ribbons. Acquisitions have been made which include all those recommendations, and 

 which have reserved sufficient additional territory to extend the realm of public owner- 

 ship nearly to Dedham. Over 224 hectares (560 acres) are included in these lands, exclusive 

 of banks restricted but not taken. 



The takings along the Mystic River include a little over 100 hectares (250 acres). 

 Other territory is unlikely to be added, because the lower reaches of the river are needed 

 for commercial purposes. 



The Neponset River recommendations have been somewhat exceeded in the acqui- 

 sitions of banks and meadows. Public ownership along the stream now comprises nearly 

 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of land free from private control. 



The Beaver Brook Reservation, between Waltham and Belmont, has been secured 

 upon the recommendation of the Commission. It occupies 24 hectares (60 acres) of land. 

 As regards the minor streams and brooks of the Metropolitan district, the commissioners' 

 report stated that they should be brought under public control. Many of the parkways 

 since constructed by the Commissioners have followed the courses of these streams, and 

 have reserved them between lines of roadway in a ribbon of land especially devoted to 

 their protection. 



Ponds. — ^The Commission recommended that the shores of the Mystic Lakes, which 

 lie northwest of Boston, near West Medford, be secured for the public. Over half this 

 territory has been acquired. Almost all the still water in the Metropolitan district is con- 

 trolled by the public, through the agency of park and water boards, and the Metropolitan 

 Park Commissioners have not found it a part of their duties, therefore, to secure ponds 

 and lakes. 



The Floor oj the Boston Basin. — Specific recommendations were made for a parkway 

 connection between the proposed takings at Revere Beach and the Mystic Lakes, and 

 general recommendations for parkway connections between the various other reservations 

 and the districts needing access to them were also specified. The Revere Beach Parkway 

 has realized the specific recommendation, and a large number of other parkways have 

 supplied the other desired connections. The position and strategic value of these links 

 between the areas set apart for recreation and the closely settled districts which they 

 serve is made plain on the plan. 



The Enclosing Hills. — ^The Commission recommended the taking of those two extensive 

 tracts of woodland upon the steep slopes of the northern and the southern hills, which 

 have already been described as holding a high place in public regard. These two tracts 

 have been acquired, and are known as the Middlesex Fells and the Blue Hills Reservation. 

 Their areas are respectively 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres), and 1,900 hectares (4,800 acres). 

 Of the area of the first tract, 460 hectares (1,150 acres) are controlled by the Metropolitan 

 Water Board. Recommendations of the Commission for takings upon the western upland 

 escarpment, near Waltham, have not as yet been realized, except to a small degree in a 

 reservation made by the local authorities of that town. A tract of woodland lying upon 

 a detached spur of the southern range of hills, and including an attractive pond in its 

 midst, has been acquired upon the recommendation of the Commission. The area of this 

 acquisition, known as the Stony Brook reservation, is 180 hectares (450 acres). 



