Scarboro Pond
park
Franklin Park
address
42.297429, -71.096437
Neighborhood
Roxbury
Hours
Dawn to dusk
Accessibility
Paved paths provide access around much of the pond, though some routes may include uneven surfaces or slopes. Accessibility may vary depending on the route and current conditions.

Wildlife by the Water
About
This manmade pond and the neighboring hill are named after Joe Scarborough, a former owner of the surrounding land and one of Roxbury's earliest European settlers (1640). The 6-acre pond is a later addition to Olmsted's plan for Franklin Park, added in 1891 and completed in 1893. It is filled, via large, underground pipes, by water from Jamaica Pond, approximately one and a half miles to the northwest.
The pathways around the pond were completely redone by the Boston Parks Department in 2018, including paths and roads over two bridges at the pond's eastern and western edges. These stately bridges were designed by architectural firm Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge, whose work also includes bridges and structures on the Emerald Necklace's Riverway as well as Boston's South Station.
explore for

Making Turtle Friends

A Peaceful Stroll

Being a Bird Nerd
did you know?
Insider knowledge says the eastern bridge on Scarboro Pond is a particularly great spot for painted turtle watching. They are most visible during the warmer months, because in winter, they burrow into the pond's muddy bottom to hibernate.





