Danehy Park is a 50-acre recreational facility built on the site of the former city landfill, yet one more of the reclaimed spaces that are so valuable in the urban landscape. The park offers wide-open spaces, paved paths, sports fields, playgrounds, a spray park, a dog park, picnic tables and grills, and a 2-acre wetlands area.

The separate bike path is great for bicyclists and walkers. The park is the perfect place to teach kids how to ride a bike or, if the fields are empty, to let a toddler roam free. The gentle hills are popular for sled rides in winter. The spray park lets kids cool down in summer while parents sit on nearby shaded benches. The comfort station, equipped with a water fountain and bathrooms, is a nice perk.

Remember: In summer, special family programs include arts events and movie nights. Call 617-349-6200 for details.

The Fresh Pond Reservation (Trip 17) is minutes away by foot and has a 2.25-mile loop trail easy to navigate on foot or with a stroller.

At the Fresh Pond Shopping Mall, just behind the park, you can find a grocery store with a café. Several dining options are across the street from the mall.