Jamaica Pond Park

A wonderful nature retreat in a beautiful wealthy neighborhood.

Every weekend I am here to run. Love my JP Pond, love my Boston

Gorgeous day and trail. Plenty of benches and shade.

I have loved this lake as it is so blue in the spring, the only reason I don't park and walk or ride my bike is that the paths are too narrow so only one bike could go through so you have to keep going off the path to the dirt and rocks to allow people and bikes. but sitting on the pond in a parking space is an awesome way to sit and turn off one's brain for a while!

If you are looking for a place to walk around, run, just be in nature enjoying yourself. Nice loop around the pond, see the birds and other wildlife. This is the place for you. There is restroom but not open to the public during off season.

Serene and calming atmosphere..

a treasure of Boston and the emerald necklace

Peaceful place 🍃💚

Gorgeous retreat in the middle of the city! The best kept secrete of the Emerald Necklace. If you walk around (about 1.9 miles around the pond), you will see sleeping swans and mallard ducks. The path around the ponds are beautiful as well. A great picnic spot. There are also interesting million dollar houses and condos and Mayor Curley's house across the street. You can get a nice take out meal from center street or Whole Foods near by and walk to the pond for a lovely picnic. In addition to jogging or walking, it is also a great spot for dog watching - adorable pups walking all around with friendly owners. It's our favorite park in Boston!

Great place especially for fishing, did have a weird interaction with an older guy. He came up to me drunk and said "there can be no love without sex." I don't know what he meant by that but he later somehow found out where I lived and sent me a letter apologizing. Very odd situation but besides that it was nice.

I'm absolutely obsessed with Jamaica Pond. I've driven by a hundred times and now I've finally gone out to run it this summer and let me just say - where have I been! It's so big which is great for mid-length walks and runs (I'm still trying to figure out the exact distance of one lap though). There's plenty of benches along the loop to sit down and catch your breath, people-watch, read a book, meet a neighbor, etc. They also have a few outdoor exercise stations during one stretch of the loop and I've seen people use them! A really cool addition to have. There's street parking and I've had no troubles finding a spot. The best part: SHADE. This summer has been the summer of Jamaica Pond and I think a large part is due to how shaded the path is! This heat wave is no joke! Sometimes there's folks playing instruments in the gazebo which is always fun to hear.

If one were to look at my Hinge profile today, I have a blurb that says "I am outside-y, not outdoorsy." To me, an outdoorsy individual is one who enjoys hiking, camping, and being far(ther) from civilization than do I. However, if I am indoors all day, I start to get wicked cabin fever. I need to get out of the house and move my body in the fresh air. At the same, I am not a bear, I am a human being that needs indoor plumbing, if you catch my drift. With all this, i am delighted to have this wonderful spot to get my fresh air, and be able to move my body. The area around Jamaica Pond is an almost 1.5 mile loop. While not secluded, the area is quiet enough that you don't feel like you're breathing exhaust gasses. Further, it, and the associated restrooms feel safe and clean. There are plenty of benches (including that U shaped "Hincman's Bench"). Also installed is stationary outdoor-friendly workout equipment, like incline push up bars, and a pull up bar, among others. So, while I wish the T did not require me to go into the center of the city, so I could transfer to the Orange Line and head south again to visit, I am still beyond happy that this gem exists, and look forward to visiting many times during the summer and fall.

Wow, I love this park. You feel away from it all unless you walk along the perimeter with the busy traffic especially during rush hour. Wouldn't go out of your way for this, but if you are in JP dining it is a great for a pre or post stroll. Lots of people come after work hours with numerous joggers because the circuit around the two ponds. 2+ miles?

They have free street parking . You can sit on a bench or bring a blanket and sit on the grass. To relax and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the pond. The view is priceless.

very nice and friendly staff. When a quick storm rolled im they were quickly in action to save me and my friends. Rushed in on on the boat and picked me and my 2 friends up to corral us away from the storm. great experience!

Jamaica Pond is one of my favorite places to go running in Boston! The area feels incredibly safe and the views of the pond and wildlife are lovely. I routinely see lots of water birds like ducks and swans. My favorite time to visit is around autumn when the leaves turn. The entire loop is about 1.5 miles I'd guesstimate, so it's great for jogging and generally getting your steps in while enjoying a serene environment.

How does one rate a pond? Well first I'll tell the [rather brief] story of how my housemate and I got here. We were on our way to the Arnold Arboretum when my housemate looked out the window, pointed at the glistening pond, and asked, "can we go there instead?". The answer was "yes" and we were very proud of that decision. With regard to parking, be prepared to do some u-turns when searching for a spot, which you will find either along the perimeter of the pond or on an adjacent side street. The perfect amount of tree cover and sunlight made for a very pleasant jaunt around the paved pond path. It seems larger than the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, for reference, and significantly more interesting. There are exercise stations along the path to get in some sets and reps. Of note is the Jamaica Pond Bench, a design prank that I will NOT ruin for you, but rather you should find. There are also some lounge chairs overlooking the pond on one side, a boat dock, and a cute little island in the middle of the pond. Lots of adorable dogs made J Pond a full five stars. Fabulous location for a Hot Girl Walk. Must visit.

Beautiful neighborhood gem to walk around the most beautiful city pond and see beautiful scenery. People like to fish and go boating here. I think it's absolutely gorgeous. On weekends, there is an occasional jazz band. Very ideal for both residents and visitors.

Love this place! You can come here to run, walk and it's beautiful! There is a 1.5 mile loop around the pond and you can see almost all the way around. The path is mostly covered in trees and there is a small path if you don't want to run on the cement. They are always hosting activities, etc to build community. You can rent a boat and just relax. They are currently doing more renovations and park improvements which is wonderful!

i walk or run here almost every single day. this is a great spot for getting some outdoor time in. the loop around the pond itself is exactly 1.5 miles, which makes things easy if you are measuring distance. around the pond are several other trails composing the emerald necklace, which can bring you back into boston, further into jp, or further into brookline. you will likely be able to pretend, for a moment, that you are not in the middle of the city. there are trashcans available everywhere and the boat house is open occasionally for questions and facts about the pond. for the most part, the trail is kept very clean and is relatively safe. the bathrooms have been closed at least since covid restrictions began, which makes things a little hard if you are hanging around for awhile. the "rules" are also unclear. bikes frequently are on the pedestrian only path, and despite signs and park rangers attempting to enforce a one-way loop, it's about 50/50 with direction. not a huge deal to me, and definitely worth the view. in all weather, this is a beautiful view and a great spot to exercise or enjoy the outdoors.

This pond is STUNNING. The path looping around the pond can get busy with many people running and walking. Plenty of families with children and dogs. There are cute outdoor exercise stations intermittently throughout the loop. There's a small beach area and picnic tables as well. No swimming allowed for people but dogs can swim! I've been back several times now and hope to go almost weekly as I'm sure it'll be beautiful as the seasons change.

Beautiful for events, great atmosphere especially in the fall. I have bumped into so many people here and they all seem to be down to earth, will give the shirt off their back type of people Jamaica plain as a whole is just a wonderful place! Went here last week for a 5k Family Fun Run/walk and had a great time. There was a dance performance, food, snacks, activities, and more. Just a wonderful experience

My favorite place in Boston. Great views around the pond including swans, ducks and sailboats! Beautiful place to go on a run especially in the fall! There's a set of restrooms near the boating house which is open all of the time. It's so nice to be able to go on a run after work and go people watching. Fall is the best season here, with beautiful colors around the pond.

I would have to disagree with Claude F.'s review. When I lived in Boston 5 years ago, I loved running here. I was extremely fortunate enough to snag a small studio in a beautiful Victorian house that sat right on Jamaica Way, which runs parallel to the Pond. The Pond and the trail around it was one block from me. And although the trail is short, about 1.5 miles, I really enjoyed the scenery and didn't mind going around the Pond a few times. I liked that there were people on the trail. But if you cannot stand people and still would like to run here, I found that it is pretty quiet early or late. In the summer, you can rent a small paddle or row boat and just lounge lazily in the middle of the Pond. I really miss being near this Pond. Whenever I needed a good run, I would just lace up my trainers, cross the street and immediately have a beautiful backdrop (with the Boston skyline) to my run. I miss Jamaica Pond. I miss you, JP.

This is my favorite place to run in the entire Boston area -- maybe with the exception of the Charles River. I lived nearby the pond for almost five years and never got tired of circling it in almost any weather. It's 1.4 miles around and makes a decent training location if you're preparing for long road races. On really nice days it will get crowded by noon, so it's best to go out early in the morning if you are looking to do some serious, uninterrupted running. The pond itself was incorporated into Boston Emerald's Necklace park system in the late 1800s, and a boathouse was later added. If you're not into walking, running or biking, you can always take a row boat out to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The pond is surrounded by trees and green fields, as well as some big historic houses to peek at. Here's a good resource if you're interested in general J.P. history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica_Plain

A fun and relazxing place to go for a walk. The paved path around the pond is well over a mile and is quite diverse place. Some of the things you may encounter: Ducks and Canadian geese buy the hundreds. \ People fishing. Joggers Asian people doing ti-chi. Sail boats (Summer only) Lovers of all kinds. All kinds of moms and baby strollers. Homeless people Drug dealers. Trash Go early or late but be careful ladies, as many woman have been mugged.

I don't run.. I barely like to walk.. but I like watching other people do it. This is one of the best running and walking spots in Boston and if you get tired in 5 minutes like I do.. there's plenty of benches to just chill and look at the pond. We usually drive to the pond and parking can be a little tricky at times. It can get packed during the summer. We've even rented row boats and rowed across the pond. (Is that how you say it? row across the pond? *shrug*) I think it was $5 the last time we rented them. Good times. :)

I've been coming to Jamaica Pond for a few years for my runs and it's easily my favorite running destination and path. The pond itself is about 1.5 miles (hardly considered a "pond") and it has a very scenic and nature-y route. The pond is always a great destination to just chill, walk, run, bike, go on a date and anything else you can think of outdoors! I absolutely love it there and it's a nice getaway from the busyness of the city. Enjoy the fresh air and hope to see you there! :)

The Pond is the heart of JP -- this is where, on almost any given day, you will find a cross section of the JP community: -Your casual joggers and powerwalkers -Your ridiculously fast runners who do so many laps at such a pace that you are ashamed -Young parents and pregnant couples -Parades of new parents on a meet-up -Your leisurely walkers -Dog owners desperately trying to keep their dogs from rolling in goose poop -Older folks sitting on the benches watching the world go by -Folks fishing and boating -Young folks canoodling It's a great place.

Biked here from Harvard Square on a Saturday evening. The 30-40 minute bike ride there was a lil tiring but beautiful! The pond itself is great! You can rent out boats and kayaks. Definitely the perfect place for a date. There are bathrooms and water fountains available. There were bird droppings everywhere but we eventually found a clean picnic spot.

Beautiful pond to sit at and enjoy. Boats for rent (not sure of the price). Not sure how the building on the east side ever got put up...it's so terrible to look at when you're at the 'beach' part of the pond. Dog friendly and baby friendly.

This place is a great little JP treasure. Grab some food and picnic next to the water or do a jog along the banks. The boathouse is a nice touch and it is nice to see people on the water. See very few white bellies in the sun here and most people mind their own business. The parking is neighborhood only and there are some busy streets surrounding the park. If you move up farther North you can find some quieter areas.

Keeping this short & sweet: This is my favorite spot to run at. I live in Mission hill. If you start from there and run around the pond and back, it's literally 6 miles according to my Nike run app. The pond itself (1 loop) is probably about 3.5-4 miles. It's so beautiful during the spring, summer, and fall. We don't talk about winter here... Great place for taking your dog, chasing stupid geese, or for kids.

Looooooove having some green space close to where I live. Full lap around is ~1.5 miles. On a bright day there are tons of runners, walkers, sunbathers, dog-walkers, and otherwise happy folks out and about! Ooh and as this is JP, you always have the chance to see some interesting characters. For example, parrot guy.

Jamaica Pond offers a serene oasis in Boston. As part of the Emerald Necklace chain of parks and green land, the pond is the culminating experience full of joggers, dogs, kiddies, and paddle boats. It was approximately a 20 minute walk all the ways around the pond and we were strolling rather slow (enjoying the fall foliage!). And on that note, what better place to view fall leaves? Gorgeous blends of firey red and electric yellow offer a backdrop on a chilly day's walk around the pond. The boat house is a community magnet that regularly hosts events including music, children's parties, and fall festivals. The day I went it was swarming with children in costumes for a lantern parade and I made sure to get the prerequisite hot apple cider to watch the festivities. I'm constantly thankful I live close by. So why 4 stars? I saw a dead duck in the pond and it was emotionally scarring....

Beautiful pond in the middle of the city gives the feel you are miles from the city when in reality you're only a couple of blocks from JP & The Fens. Although this past week there was a drowning scare, drowning are very rare with only 3 since the 80's (with 1 due to a man having a medical emergency while in pond). Surprisingly #JamaicaPond was Formed by a glacier, the 60-acre Jamaica Pond reaches a depth of 53 feet, making dives and searches difficult.

***100TH REVIEW*** To one of my favorite places of all time: Jamaica Pond, the perfect escape from the rest of the city. The only season that you won't find me here is winter (when I'm hibernating at my local gym). Any other time, I'll be enjoying my walks or runs around the pond, especially during Spring when the mornings are crisp and cool. Fast forward to Summer: find me rowing on the shimmering waters on a sunny afternoon alongside a family of ducks. Change to Fall: I'll be there to photograph the amazing foliage or enjoy an after-work run, passing by cute dogs and the locals fishing until sunset. Really, the natural beauty of this pond is what makes living in Boston amazing. Definitely the #1 spot to visit if you're in the JP area, although Sam Adams Brewery is a close tie. It's no wonder some couples have their engagement photoshoot here. If all this sounds too pansy for you, do the 1.34-mile run around the pond, then work out using the wooden equipment (i.e. pull-up & push-up bars, leg-lift bench, etc.), which are scattered along the route. P.S. I once spotted a river otter in the pond before. No lie, that made my day :)

not the best pond to go to in my opinion. the water is nice scenery but there is nowhere to park on a busy day if you're from out of town.

Although the area is not a big and green as the Arboretum, I love coming down to the pond to relax, sit on a bench and read, watch people or feed the ducks (although I have to admit that the constant stream of joggers always makes me feel guilty for being so lazy - but you'll see: one of these days you'll see me running too...). It is a beautiful and serene place, and you can even go sailing on the pond!

If you like cartilage-dismantling pavement, reckless cyclists, inadequate parking, overcrowding, and a running path that doubles as a rich minefield of goose turd, you've found your spot! Sadly, there is nothing serene about this could-be jewel. Maybe I'm jaded, but I have tried coming here for over half a decade and I genuinely do not get the hype. With the Forest Hills Cemetery and Arnold Arboretum each just a stone's throw away, I'm at a loss for why anyone would choose to run, picnic, or leaf peep in a place that most birds, rabbits and other forms of indigenous nature (barring the Canadian geese) eschew. It's just too crowded to be peaceful enough for them. Or me. You? Three stars for a light stroll (or running if you love shin splints and tendonitis), baby duckling spotting, row boating, or if you don't mind an overly trafficked park and just really, really need a pond to look at. But you can do definitely do better.

Rating nature on a scale of 1-5 is pretty tough, rating a park maintained by a under funded state agency is much easier to do. I love the pond for some pretty sound reasons: 1. always clean 2. bathrooms open to the public 3. working water fountain 4. wide, clear walking, running and cycling paths 5. cool little sailing center 6. good little beaches for dogs to cool off on during the summer months 7. plenty of parking 8. a short walk to tons of good stuff to do in JP But there are a couple of things that i just cant shake: 1. people drown there nearly every year, seriously dont swim here it is infested with all sorts of underwater hazards 2. there are some bums and drunks that hang out on the far side of the pond at night, i don't think they are dangerous but stick to the paths 3. to get to the pond you need to use a cross walk across the Jamaica Way which is like playing with matches and gasoline so be VERY careful Overall, it's a great spot and very safe and clean. I personally come here at least once a week with the dog and sometimes humans too.

5 stars for walking but only 2 stars for running. That was my conclusion after coming here with my good friend, and Jamaica plain resident, Evil Eva. Here is why: Too Short: Any loop under a mile and half is not a loop: it's a track. You start to feel like a horse at the Kentucky derby rather then a runner running free. Too Paved: Sadly, the surfaces are that type of pavement designed perfect for crippling your knees (But if you are going for that: In order to file for early disability retirement at work- then this is your place!) Topography issues: Good for walking, but if you run at a decent clip the turns are bit sharp and some of the odd, slight hills can be taxing if you have hamstring issues. Too many pedestrians: when you have to shout, "Coming thru please!" every 5 seconds, it becomes more of a work out for your lungs rather then your legs. And I work out my lungs enough shouting at MBTA drivers. Too many rules: "Park closes at"..."No parking here"...fees for everything, etc. Now No Body is more a proponent of the wise restraints that make men free (called laws) and an opponent of reckless libertarianism (really nothing more then the socialism of the rich and the powerful) then I am. But there is such a thing as too many rules. Too easy to fall in the water: Particularly if you have a friend with an evil sense of humor who will push you in the freezing cold water on a bitter April day But Its all good: because then you can just retaliate by giving her the nick name "Evil Eva" Which will echo forth on the internet for an eternity. Too long for MBTA: Particularly if you have to take the Orange line back to the green line when you are freezing and dripping wet. All in all: nice place to walk (but NOT with Evil Eva) but better can be found for running in Boston.

Love this place and happy we live so close now! The path around the pond is 1.5 miles and is a beautiful walk. Lots of joggers and people out with their dogs and kids. Plenty of benches all around the pond and places to picnic and enjoy just being outside. You can rent row boats at the boat house and in the fall, this is where the JP Lantern Parade takes place. Parking can be tricky, but I'll let you in a secret: my husband and I park at the very end of Eliot St and walk over from there. Most always a spot available. Just leave us one!

Great place to run Great place to walk Great place to relax Just under 1.5 miles around You can rent a small sailboat in the summer time, which will be fun. I live close by, and run around this all the time. It is clean for the most part, dogs are allowed (on leash), no swimming in the water, but you can fish if you have a license. And please don't feed the birds... they get crazy! :) Its mainly around 25 feet deep I have heard, but I guess it goes up to over 50ft deep in some parts. Short and sweet review, great place to hang, exercise, or show friends/family who are visiting. HISTORY NOTE!!!! the pond was made by a glacier, long time ago Cheers

One of the prettiest places in Boston...good for running, walking, picnicing, etc. etc. I've been there a few times. The first was for a fun-filled day of sailing. MUCH cheaper than sailing on the charles in beacon hill and much quieter. Although the area in which you can sail isn't as big, I still had a great experience. The next time I went there I did a loop run through the area (here's the run...pretty flat and so scenic! http://www.livestrong.com/loops/brookline_jamaica_pond_small_run-7UA4nViEZV/) followed by lunch on centre street in the heart of JP. It's quiet, clean, well-maintained and beautiful in most seasons. Take advantage of all the fun, FREE things that Boston has to offer! Your tax dollars are paying for it anyway! Also, head to la pupusa guanaca or any other latin american restaurant around there afterwards and prepare to eat like a king.

Renting a rowboat and just cruising around this pond was one of the highlights of my trip to Boston. The staff at the boathouse are really nice and the boats are inexpensive to rent. The lake is gorgeous and there's no better way to experience it than by sitting smack dab in the middle of it.

Did you know that baby ducks can run on water or that they jump up and eat bugs? The Pond (used to be used for cutting ice) is a great place to go after dinner or early in the morning for a nice walk. Just make sure that you pay attention to what is going on because there can be some petty crime going on here.

Jamaica Pond is a good pond but it has some major room for improvement. With a little elbow grease I think Jamaica Pond could be 5 star pond. Huge props to the glacier that naturally formed this kettle shaped body of water tens of thousands of years ago. Also, huge props to Boston Park and Rec for the upgraded lights, benches, and concrete path. Problems: pond scum, trash, dog poop, unsafe at night, people drown annually, unfit for swimming, angry geese, and toxic algae.

My lovely neighborhood pond! So much cool stuff goes down here. Summer Sundays in the Park, kayak rentals, the Lantern Festival. FLAMINGOS even touched down a couple weeks back. Cray. A great place to go for a run and do some- pull-ups (plus there's that 45-degree-angled board with a metal knob at the top, what the heck is that?). Or you can just sit down and try to contain your inner dog lover as dozens stroll past. Definitely a choice spot that is the envy of surrounding neighborhoods.

If you possibly can, stop here and walk or jog around. It is one of the nicest, most scenic spots in boston and of course near the arboretum so you could do both. The pond is 1.5 miles around so the place is not huge but it is beautiful. If you are a tourist, drive around the area b/c there are some nice, old,, huge (by boston/city standards as opposed to the burbs) homes on the arborway and on most surrounding side streets. In season, you can also rent small boats from the boat house and ride the pond. And of course, check out centre st in jp for some great shops and restaurants.

In a perfect world... I'd be checking for properties in the Boston area. .. and it may not be a remote possibility for me to then choose JP as my new neighborhood. Why? Because of this AMAZING location!!! It is the perfect place to keep in shape, running/walking/strolling around. During the summer time, the marvelous trees provide the perfect combo for a cool and shaded path for your work-out. Even throughout the winter season, when it rains and snows quite a bit, this place is a cool place to keep in shape. If you are on the lazy side of things, there is duck feeding, bird watching. Or maybe you can rent a boat to row through the pond. Al in all, this place is outstanding. And it is located right in the spanking middle between Brookline (up the hills), and JP...

Way back when I used to live near Forest Hills and the man lived on Perkins Street, Jamaica Pond was part of my daily run. I'd park at the Arboretum at o-dark-o'clock, run down and around the Pond, continue down the Jamaicaway and then circle back. Loved loved loved it. What I didn't love, however, were the creepy men lingering around at the time, who would occasionally attack solo women. Thankfully, I was never a victim and only had pleasant experiences.

Ah but a day at the pond! This is the place to go where you want to lose yourself in deep thought and wander under the trees, or just check out some HOT runners WOOT! I have laid claim to both in the past I have been here a short time and I must tell you that most of the pretty folks in this area will be found running around this water pit. On occasion I myself will be walking at a brisk pace ( trying to catch up to the hotty in front of me who has legs nine miles long). I warn you, this can be a workout! Very scenic and some beautiful homes surround this place so if you are into checking that out you have another great reason to meander through the pines at Jamaica Pond! You will see a few young parents running behind strollers so it is best to keep to one side while walking or running around the loop. You never know when a baby laden Volvo Elite 3 wheeler may side swipe you out of the blue. I for the life of me, still don't understand why they are not required to carry insurance. There are plenty of green areas to throw a blanket down and veg with that certain someone special. When I find on I may give it a run. Until then I am doomed to getting exercise at a visually stimulating location close to home and in the wilds of nature not far from a skyscraper near you! 5 stars baby!

A great place to go for some fresh air and a quick walk. Excellent people and dog watching. I believe it's about 1.5 miles around? Also: the lantern festival is coming up! October 24, people will be walking around the pond at dusk with homemade lanterns. It is a great community event put on by spontaneous celebrations. I can't wait!

Wonderful place to walk or jog or push a stroller and have a picnic. Accessible street parking and parking lot. Then you can head over to Central Street in JP for a bite to eat!

This is a great place to go on a summer afternoon. It looks like a drawing from a children's book. There is space to run or stroll around the pond, as well as a boathouse where you can rent boats on a donation-only basis. We had a great time rowing around the pond, avoiding the sailboats. We saw a family of turtles on a log lined up in order of size from smallest to largest which only underscored the whole picture book quality of the day.

Always love coming here for a run. It's so picturesque and pretty. Great spot to clear your mind, go for a picnic or fishing. Each loop around the pond is about 1.5 miles so it's great if you like to run/train outside.