Wellesley, Massachusetts outdoor activities

Basketball hoops (outdoors)

2 full courts, with regulation height baskets at Hunnewell Field, adjacent to the track and football field near State and Smith streets. Court gets pretty puddly after rain.

7-foot-high basket in front of Bates Elementary School at 116 Elmwood Rd.

Fiske Elementary School has short hoop in front and a couple of regulation hoops in back (map).

Hardy Elementary School has 4 hoops (map)

Hunnewell Elementary School (map ) has 3 hoops, all regulation height. Two of them are set up facing each other in a typical full-court configuration, the other stands alone.

Ouellet playground (map) has a nice court with 2 regulation-height hoops.

Perrin Park (map) has 2 regulation hoops and 2 7-footers criss-crossing on one court.

Phillips Park (map) has 2 regulation hoops on a court.

Schofield Elementary School has 3 hoops, 2 regulation and one about 8-feet high (map).

Sprague Elementary School has 2 regulation height hoops next to the playground (map).

Upham Elementary School has 5 hoops (4 regulation and 1 about 6-feet high). Map.

Golf

Nehoiden Golf Course (private, 9 holes)

Wellesley Country Club (private, 18 holes)

Running/walking

Measure the distance you run/walk: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

Outdoor tracks:

Wellesley High School track

Wellesley College track

More running:

Boston Marathon course: Wellesley stretch of the Boston Marathon course goes along routes 135 and 16, in between miles 11/12 and just before the mile 16 marker. These markers are painted onto the double yellow lines on the road (though tend to fade through winter). We're talking about the Pond Rd/Rte 16 intersection to the Wellesley/Newton border, shortly before Rte. 95.

Running every street in Wellesley: One man's diary of this odd accomplishment.

Skiing

Weston Ski Track: Ok, it's not technically in Wellesley, but close enough. Cross country ski and snowshoe rentals, lessons.

Tennis (outdoor courts)

Hunnewell Field has 8 courts, plus a practice wall, with lights at night from May-August for those who buy tags via the town's recreation department. Map to courts.

3 courts at Schofield Elementary School playground (27 Cedar St., Map )

4 courts behind the Middle School (down the hill). Map.

Trails (hiking, running, cross country)

Here's a link to the town's Trails Committee. The site includes descriptions of public trails, some of which can be skiied as well as hiked or run.

The Wellesley Conservation Council is a private land trust; all its properties are open to the public. The council's mission
includes protecting and preserving Wellesley's natural environment and maintaining its sanctuaries through the contributions and participation of residents. The WCC provides free programs every spring and fall.

Water sports

Canoeing/Kayaking: The Charles River twists through Wellesley in a few spots. One good launch site is at Elm Bank Reservation about 3/4 of the way around the paved road.

Participate in the Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race in April (races from 6 to 26 miles, open to all skill levels).

Charles River Canoe and Kayak in Newton and Natick provides lessons, rentals, guided tours.

Learn more about the river at the Charles River Watershed Association.

Fishing licenses can be ordered online here.

Swim at Morses Pond. Find info here on beach tags, swim lessons. Friends of Morses Pond Association works to protect and preserve the pond.

Skating

The town does not sanction skating on any public ponds, lakes, rivers, according to the fire department and recreation department. See our Kid Stuff page for info on indoor skating.

Sledding

Elm Bank Reservation off Rte. 16 at the Wellesley/Natick border. Fast, but not too fast hill that offers something for older and younger kids. Most sledders seem to aim for the big tree on the right side of the hill, younger kids tend to stay to the left, which is less steep. To get there, simply follow the road to the right once you cross over the bridge and you'll see the sledding hill to your left. Parking is at the top of the hill.

Elm Bank sledding hill.

Kelly Memorial Field on Elmwood Rd., adjacent to the Bates Elementary School. The sledding hill is to the left of the ballfields as you enter from the school parking lot. It's a long, not-too-steep slope, with a smaller hill for little kids on the side.

Sledding hill at Bates school/Kelly field.

Nehoiden Golf Course: Not sure the course owners really want you to sled or ski there, but they don't seem to fight it. Sledding is popular on a hill across from the Rte. 16 entrance to Wellesley College. A plastic fence has been erected to catch those who might otherwise coast into the road.

Sledders replace golfers at Nehoiden.

Schofield Elementary School: A moderate hill that tapers into the ballfields. Houses at the top of the hill. Can get chilly on a windy day, as the fields are wide open. Park at Schofield at 27 Cedar St.

Schofield sledding.

Severance Hill at Wellesley College. The hilltop is at Severance Hall and behind the Davis Museum and Cultural Center. Students are known to zip down on cafeteria trays. This hill is not for those with common sense.

Wellesley Recreation Department/Warren Park has a moderate hill, good for young ones. There's also a playground. Located on Rte. 16/Washington St.

Rec center hill with nearby playground.