A natural kettle hole formed by a glacier, Jamaica Pond was the first reservoir in America. It once hosted a commercial ice-cutting operation, and its banks held the country estates of prominent Bostonians. The Pond was incorporated into the Emerald Necklace plan in 1892, and a boathouse and bandstand were added at the turn of the century. Boats and sail boats are available in season. The boathouse telephone number is 617/522-6258.
The Pond is fed by natural springs and is the largest and purest body of water in the City of Boston. Every year it is stocked with trout, salmon and the indigenous fish of pickerel, bass, hornpout, and perch. Thus, one daily observes fishing on its banks.
A 1.4-mile walking trail circles the perimeter of the pond, and there are almost 11 acres of forest cover in the park. The path is designed for pedestrians only, a rule that the Boston Park Rangers enforce. A second paved path follows along the outer perimeter of the park along the Arborway. Despite heavy use, Jamaica Pond has very little trash.
We're pretty big on this stuff here:
The boathouse:
Continuing around the path:
One of the houses across the Jamaicaway:
My favorite house in this part of town:
My granddaughter Hannah loves ducks, so I had to show you these: