Sprinkled throughout Concord is an array of green spaces perfect for hiking, biking, bird watching, and, best of all, picnicking. The spaces are varied; some are wide open acres of green lawn while others are nestled into the woods with stone benches just wide enough to hold a picnic basket. Some spaces are filled with swings, slides, and monkey bars to keep children happy and active. No matter what you’re looking for, with summer just a glance away, picnic season is here and you’ll find the perfect spot in Concord.  

The crown jewel of open spaces is Minute Man National Historical Park, featuring the North Bridge and the adjacent Visitor Center. This is home to ‘the shot heard ‘round the world’ where minutemen held off British soldiers during the spring of 1775. The open space beyond the bridge toward the North Bridge Visitor Center provides a magical walk. As you weave through the tall grasses, enormous European beech trees spot the fields. The walk will transport you to another era, a simpler time when a brisk walk post-lunch aligned with life. Picnic blankets are welcome in the grass on either side of the path, and towards the back of the museum on the terrace are covered tables for picnicking. This summer the formal gardens near the terrace are being spruced up so be sure to have a look while you’re there.  

Battle Road has two great sites for picnicking, Hartwell Tavern and Minute Man Visitor Center. The Battle Road path allows for an easy walk beyond the picnic site at the tavern. It has an abundance of shade with towering maple trees gracing the picnic bench area. A bit further down Battle Road is Minute Man Visitor Center, with tables to allow for gatherings. An additional bonus is the multimedia theater program at the Visitor Center which provides an educational opportunity to engage in the history of the battles along the historic road (check for COVID-impacted hours).

Climbing structures at Rideout Park Playground

If you would rather be tucked into a woodsy space, then Brister’s Hill is the place for you. Along the trail are several granite blocks with inspirational poems carved into them and further down the path in the woods you will find a circle of large granite ‘picnic’ blocks just wide enough for your sandwich and chips. Fifty-two blocks create the circle, most of them boasting an inspiring inscription etched into the top. So, grab a friend and head out to the woods in search of the granite blocks.

However, if swings, slides, and sandboxes are an important element of your perfect picnic, then head to Emerson Field and Playground or Rideout Park Playground where you will find play structures, sandboxes, and tennis and basketball courts. Both parks are open to the public and have lots of green space to play ball, read a good book, or fly a kite. Given the amenities, these two playgrounds are perfect for families - from toddlers to grandparents.

To learn more about these picnic sites, please visit their websites:

• nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/hours.htm

• nps.gov/mima/index.htm

• walden.org/property/bristers-hill/ concordrec.com/150/Directions-and-Locations

All photos ©Anne Lehmann