I love that my dad used to use the term “dog party” whenever he saw a big group of dogs playing. You’ll see that and more at the Beaver Brook Reservation (Mill Street, Belmont/Waltham). This impressive piece of land includes 59 acres of open fields, wetlands and woodlands that are open to walking, biking, and picnicking. The north section of the park includes ponds, fields, marsh, and a cascading waterfall. The south section of the park (immediately visible from Route 60) includes ball fields, a wading/spray pool, and a tot lot. There also are restrooms on site when the park is open.

During the summer the spray pool is open Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 4:30pm; the tot lot/reservation daily from 10am – 6pm. There is no admission fee to the reservation. Tel: 617-484-6357.