Belle Isle Marsh Reservation is a Massachusetts

Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...

 state park

State park

State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...

 located in East Boston

East Boston, Massachusetts

East Boston is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, with approximately 40,000 residents. The community was created by connecting several islands using landfill and was annexed by Boston in 1836. East Boston is separated from the rest of the city by Boston Harbor and bordered by Winthrop,...

. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation

Department of Conservation and Recreation (Massachusetts)

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is a state agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, situated in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. It is best known for its parks and parkways. As of May 24, 2011 the Commissioner of the DCR is Edward M. Lambert, Jr...

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Description

Belle Isle Marsh Reservation preserves 152 acre (0.61512272 km²) of the 241 acre (0.97529326 km²) Belle Isle Marsh. This is the last remaining salt marsh

Salt marsh

A salt marsh is an environment in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and salt water or brackish water, it is dominated by dense stands of halophytic plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs. These plants are terrestrial in origin and are essential to the stability of the salt marsh...

 within Boston

Boston

Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...

. These marshes once used to be prevalent along the Massachusetts Bay

Massachusetts Bay

The Massachusetts Bay, also called Mass Bay, is one of the largest bays of the Atlantic Ocean which forms the distinctive shape of the coastline of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Its waters extend 65 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Massachusetts Bay includes the Boston Harbor, Dorchester Bay,...

 shoreline.

The marsh is home to multiple species of saltmarsh plants, fish, and shellfish, most rare in a metropolitan

Metropolis

A metropolis is a very large city or urban area which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections and communications...

 area.

Features of the reservation include landscaped pathways, benches, and an observation tower. A portion of the Boston Harborwalk

Boston Harborwalk

Boston HarborWalk is a public walkway that follows the edge of piers, wharves, beaches and shoreline around Boston Harbor. Plans call for it to extend a distance of from Chelsea Creek to the Neponset River, and it is about 80% complete...

 runs through the reservation.

History

Formerly an actual island, Belle Isle was also called Hog's Island and later Breeds Island. Part of the island is now Orient Heights

Orient Heights

Orient Heights is an historic section of East Boston. The neighborhood sits on a hill named "Orient Heights;" the hill measures 152 feet in elevation at its highest point...

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Recreational Opportunities

• Hiking
• Information
• Observation Platform

External links

• Park Website: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/belleisle.htm
• Park Map: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/maps/bellisle.gif
• http://www.friendsofbelleislemarsh.org/