"The reservation, open year-round, preserves 152 acres of the 241-acre Belle Isle Marsh, the last remaining salt marsh in Boston. Its protected waters are a breeding ground for numerous fish and shellfish, as well as for native vegetation. Formerly an island, Belle Isle was Hog's Island (later Breeds Island), one of the islands that was joined to make East Boston. It offers a view of wildlife rarely seen in a metropolitan area. You can take a guided informational walk--well worth it--and scan the marsh, Logan Airport, and the nearby town of Winthrop from an observation tower. There's a second tower hidden in the marsh, if you can find it. Be mindful that it is marsh land so, especially in the summer, prepare for mosquitos and if you plan on following any of the paths that lead into the reeds, ticks too." - Nick DiStefano
