Forest Grove Reservation in Waltham (Google Map link) is a state run park a few minutes from where I am living and I head over there a few times a week for a short walk. Its a small area along the Charles River with a few short trails, some wildlife (ducks, geese, swans, herons, turtles, beavers…), and some nice views. Its far enough away from the bustle of the city that you feel like you are really out in the wilderness as you walk along the Charles River.
Blue Herons at the edge of the river in July 2013
At one time it was more than just a nice place to walk along the Charles. In 1891, H. Barlett opened Forest Grove and on Fox Island (a small piece of land just off shore) as a getaway that had swimming, bathing houses, a carousel on the hill, a dance hall, refreshment stand, and a bridge out to Fox Island. In 1897 an amusement park opened up in nearby Newton which hurt Barlett's business. It still remains a popular swimming area until the 1950's.
The top of the hill is also clear. It is a surprise until you realize this is where the carousel was many years ago.
When you go there now you can go up on that hill and there is alot of clear space with a paved road and electric wires running up there. It seemed very out of place until I found out there used to be a a carousel up there.
The path along the Charles with the water to the right. Some areas are more open than this one.
The view down the Charles River from the shore.
The Park is pretty much this area. This is a screen capture from Google Maps with some annotations.