Recreation
Canoeing and Kayaking
You can rent kayaks and canoes at the historic boathouse at 2401 Commonwealth Avenue in nearby Auburndale.
Golf / Ski
The Leo J. Martin Memorial Golf Course is one of two state-operated courses. In the winter, it becomes a cross-country ski track.
Trails
Newton Lower Falls is lucky to have access to miles of walking trails.
The Trestle Bridge connects a piece of the old rail trail from Concord Street and crosses the river to Wellesley Lower Falls to 46 miles of trails in Wellesley.
The Pony Truss Trail can be reached across the Two Bridges Trail from DeForest Street, and provides a beautiful walk along the Charles River.
The Riverside Greenway is a trail system in development - a combination of shared-use, ADA-compliant and foot-trails to connect the current terminus of the Blue Heron Trail in Lyon's Field in Auburndale with the Lower Falls “Trestle" Bridge.”
The Newton Conservators maintains a list of trails in Newton.
The neighboring Town of Weston has over 100 miles of trails.
A Brief History
The concept of a shared use (bike/footpath) through Newton Lower Falls has been discussed since the 1970's. In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation proposed using the abandoned rail right-of-way for a shared-use trail. In response, the LFIA formed a group to evaluate alternative trail options and since then has acted as an educational resource for the community. Check here for trail-related activities involving Lower Falls.
DCR Feasibility Studies
Lower Falls Shared-Use Trail: A feasibility study for a shared-use trail connection between the Route I-95 rail bridge at the southeast corner of Leo J. Martin Golf Course and Wellesley, and the south side of the I-95 Overpass on Quinobequin Road, Newton, MA.
Quinobequin Road to Leo J. Martin Golf Course Newton and Wellesley: The project aims to address existing safety, mobility and accessibility concerns along Quinobequin Road, while also making sustainable and long-lasting improvements to stormwater management and riverine ecology.
The consultant team shall inventory DCR-owned parklands, other open space and roadway right of ways to propose alternative layouts for safe and accessible bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
The LFIA will assemble a committee to evaluate alternatives and interface with the DCR Design team to represent the Lower Falls community.
On March 19, 2020 the Lower Falls Trails Update discussed this study and other trails developments associated with the Riverside Development and the Riverside Greenway in Aburndale.
To view the project documents, visit the DCR websites for Lower Trails Trails and the Quinobequin Trail 100% Design studies.
In 2009, the LFIA's Alternative Trails Group assessed routes as alternatives to the rail trail, download that study to see options the DCR may have consider.