Scarboro Pond and Scarboro Hill

 

Scarboro Pond is perhaps the most peaceful place in Franklin Park.

It was designed by Olmsted after the public demanded a waterway at Franklin Park. It took two years to excavate the pond, but plans to connect it to Ward's Pond failed and it remains isolated and stagnant, though quite beautiful. Water for the pond comes from underground pipes leading from Jamaica Pond, a natural body of water. No one knows the condition of the pipes today. 

The pond was a popular skating spot in olden days and is still a place where children learn to fish. In addition to a large (and mostly unwelcome) flock of Canada Geese, the pond is home to mallard ducks, cormorants, and great blue heron. Many migrating birds make their way here each spring; red wing blackbirds and other songbirds are common. You can often find a Baltimore oriole's nest hanging from the trees. An adjacent grove of white pines houses great horned owls. You can find their pellets at the base of the trees. Click here for more bird sightings.

Next to the pond is a sloping hillside of huge, century old beech trees. 

Scarboro Hill, along the west side of the pond, was originally intended by Olmsted to contain a dairy with sheep and cattle.  The path on the way up the hill has a large stump cut into the shape of an armchair. A classic Olmsted set of stone stairs leads to a plateau at the top where one can look out over the expanse of the Golf Course. Around the open area are plaques with information about the park and its history. Unfortunately piles of sand and organic matter stored here detract from the overall experience.