Hurricane Earl is due to hit Boston! Those of you who recently moved to Boston from states which experience actual weather should understand that "Hurricane" is a local term for "rain." Still, it looks like there will be some sunny pleasant hours over Labor Day weekend--just enough to make driving to the Cape, the North Shore, or even Walden Pond impossible. If you want to get wet, do it here, now, in a Boston park.
If you're not fussy about full-body immersion, you can go to just about any Boston park to hose yourself down. Special notice to parents; unless you have your children on a three-foot-long leash, you will need to bring a change of clothes this weekend if you visit the Freedom Trail (Frog Pond Fountain), Faneuil Hall (Rose Kennedy Greenway/Christopher Columbus Park) Chinatown (Chinatown Park, where you're not actually supposed to go *in* the water), Copley Square (Copley Square Fountain), or just about anywhere else. It's too much fun.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation lists all its pools, spray parks, and wading pools here. Some pools have already closed, but the spray parks and wading pools--that is, the wet places in public parks--are open through September 6. According to the DCR, "Wading pools have a water depth between one inch and two feet. Some have spray features. Spray decks have zero water depth and may spray continuously or on demand." (I've never known a spray deck that wasn't continuously in demand. If there's anything that's more fun than getting wet, it's pressing buttons to make water spray.)
If you're, say, a vampire or ghost and can't cross water to get to Boston, but still like sprinkle parks, the City of Cambridge has a map of its water parks, which "should still be open this time of year," according to a friendly receptionist at the Department of Public Works. I'm particularly fond of the spray deck at North Point Park, a lovely site along the Charles River near the Museum of Science -- but beware; despite its obvious plumbing, it has no bathrooms.
With Read Local as Union Park Press' mission and motto, we are always encouraging locals to visit their local independent bookstores--not only to buy our own collection of beautiful books, but also to fully support these neighborhood gems, each stocked with hand selected books, scheduled with author talks, book clubs, and story times galore, and each shop displaying the wonderfully unique quirks and characteristics that make it truly independent.
This August, we are running a promotion with four cherished local indies throughout the region that fall under this category. At each store, if you purchase Under Cape Cod Waters between now and Labor Day weekend, you will be entered to win a print of your choice from the book (one print per bookstore). And believe us, Ethan Daniels' stunning collection of photographs is a fantastic addition to any New England home.
So spread the word to your community, stop by one of the participating bookstores below, and submerge yourself in a Cape Cod rarely seen.
Brookline Booksmith
279 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA; 617-566-6660
The Harvard Coop
1400 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA; 617-419-2000
Now Voyager Bookstore
357 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA; 508-487-0848
Where the Sidewalk Ends
432 Main Street, Chatham, MA; 508-945-0499
As always, thank you for the support ... and Read Local!
For the Boston parents out there who do not yet own a copy of Boston Baby, this week (high of 96 degrees today!) might be the week to pick up a copy! Author Kim Foley MacKinnon dedicates an entire chapter of the book, "It's Hot, Hot, Hot," to summer activities that'll keep the whole family cool (plus the museums, classes, and getaways in the rest of the book will also keep you busy). From beaches, spray decks, sailing, and parks, to children's Indie bookstores and libraries, there's no reason to feel overwhelmed by the heat. Here are a few options to get you through this week:
Artesani Park and Wading Pool, 1255 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton. Kim lists this as one of the best spray parks in the city. Located on the Charles River you'll get a great view and (hopefully) slight breeze, while the kids can splash around, enjoy the playgrounds, break for a picnic, and even feed the ducks nearby. Plus, there are lifeguards on duty, changing rooms, showers, and free parking (with an ice cream truck that hangs around too!)--you'll be all set for the day.
Courageous Sailing at Jamaica Pond, 617-268-7243, www.courageoussailing.org. Can't swim in Jamaica Pond but sailing away on the water will keep the kids cool. Paddle around, feed the ducks, and get the little ones fishing.
Castle Island and Fort Independence, Day Boulevard, South Boston, 617-727-5290. Hang out by the water, explore Fort Independence, and enjoy a snack at local landmark Sullivan's, all at the tip of Pleasant Bay. Plus, your future pilots can watch the planes as they land and take off from Logan.
Curious George & Friends, 1 JFK Street, Cambridge, 617-498-0062, www.curiousg.com. If you'd rather have the kids out of the sun, head on over to Harvard Square to explore the two floors of books and toys in this local Indie that was founded with the help of Curious George writer Margret Rey. Perhaps an afternoon (iced) tea is in order too? Upstairs on the Square has an array of treats for the fam.
Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston, 617-723-2500, www.mos.org. With exciting exhibits, live presentations, and the omni films, the museum offers plenty for a daytrip--or multiple daytrips. Stop by the Butterfly Garden for a tour or catch one of the 3D films to learn all about our planet. Your future scientist is certain to be intrigued by the creatures and interactive activities; and for any kids below the age of 8, the Discovery Center should be your first stop upon arrival.
Hope these tips help get the family out and about despite the heat. And send us (or tweet us @unionparkpress) some favorite hot spots in your area too--the cooler the better!
Last night, after I gave a talk at Wellesley Booksmith (an *amazing* independent bookstore which you should visit immediately), a woman came up to me to remind me that women with breast cancer are survivors, not victims. I had talked about the in Harvard, MA, and probably emphasized courtesy and respect for other visitors a bit too strongly. I worry sometimes about disturbing other visitors' experiences in places that evoke such strong emotions.
Mind you, our local healing gardens are designed to calm emotions, not to express them. Boston has a few healing gardens, places that are supposed to quiet the mind, spirit, and perhaps the body of people who, well, want healing. The Thurston garden is designed for women who have breast cancer. It's a quiet place in the woods; it's easy to hear the wind chimes, water trickling in the fountains, even the neighing of the horses in a neighboring (invisible) farm. There are wooded paths, a lawn with a gazebo, and a small Japanese meditation garden-- and stillness, everywhere stillness.
Cancer patients who cannot get to the Thurston garden can visit the Howard Ulfelder MD garden at Mass General Hospital. This green roof overlooks the Charles river, and repeats the Thurston garden's East Asian motifs - gray granite and low grasses, urns and small stones. It's a lovely space, wheelchair accessible (unlike much of the Thurston garden), a quiet place above the city and the machines and medicines and unending business below.
Still, these are just one New England version of healing, where Asian meditation gardens have been popular since the early 19th-century. But what if you're not ready to be calm? What if you're angry and burning inside? What if you feel like you're walking through fire? Healing garden designer Topher Delaney will talk about her work creating healing gardens with flames, lilies, and other materials next Tuesday, May 4, at 7 pm at Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston.
Delaney has created elegant formal gardens with flowers and small stones--but she has also designed challenging, energetic landscapes that rage against the dying of the light. I'm looking forward to hearing what she has to say.
