50 Local Green Spaces to Reduce Stress
Moving is notoriously stressful and can easily become overwhelming. Finding ways to get away from the chaos and clutter of a partially packed house, even for a few minutes, can really help to save your sanity and get you back in the right frame of mind.
One great way to clear your head is to get outside in nature. A study by Cornell University found that spending as little as 10 minutes in a natural setting helped college students feel happier and reduced the physical and mental effects of stress. These benefits don’t just apply to stressed out college kids. They are just as impactful for a stressed-out homeowner preparing for a move!
In our 100+ years of moving clients throughout northern New England (and beyond) we’ve discovered a lot of great green spaces that offer the perfect venue for a stress-reducing stroll. To celebrate “Earth Week” we’ve compiled a list of 50 favorites, which are spread across Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. We’ve also included a link to the Parks & Recreation departments from each town where these great nature resources are located.
For more information just click on the town to be linked with their Parks and Recreation website.
After you’ve finished with your nature break, check out the ‘Make Your Move Easier’ section of our website for even more stress-reducing ideas and resources to prepare for your move, including the ‘Pack like a Pro’ section for tips and tricks for packing your home.
Southern Maine
1. Harbor Park
331 Harbor Rd, Wells, ME
2. Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
342 Laudholm Farm Rd, Wells, ME 04090
3. Vaughan Wood St Park
28 Oldfields Rd, South Berwick, ME 03908
4. William A. Bray Memorial Park
70 Eliot Bridge, South Berwick, ME 03908
5. Rogers Park
46-68 Dion Ave, Kittery, ME 03904
6. Fort Foster
Pocahontas Rd, Kittery Point, ME 03905
7. Barks and Rec
31090_19-30, Eliot, ME 03903
8. Ellis Park
Ocean Ave, York, ME 03909
9. Sohier Park-Nubble Point
11Sohier Park Rd, York, ME 03909
10. Hartely Mason Reservation
481 York St, York, ME 03909
Seacoast New Hampshire
11. Garrison Hill Park
Abbey Sawyer Memorial Hwy, Dover, NH 03820
12. Woodman Park
5 Woodman Park Dr, Dover, NH 03820
13. Long Hill
42 Long Hill Rd, Dover, NH 03820
14. Dover Community trail
38 Fisher St, Dover, NH 03820
15. Bellany Park
23 Bellamy Rd, Dover, NH 03820
16. Hanson Pines
47 Dewey St, Rochester, NH 03867
17. Rochester Commons
S Main St, Rochester, NH 03867
18. Squamangsonic
69 Hansonville Rd, Rochester, NH 03839
19. Stratham Hill Park
270 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH 03885
20. Swasey Park
316 Water St, Exeter, NH 03833
21. Founders Park
20-98 Pleasant St, Exeter, NH 03833
22. Henderson Swasey Town Forest
10 Newfields Rd, Exeter, NH 03833
23. Riverwalk
Off Buffumsville Road, along the Salmon Falls River, Somersworth, NH 03878
24. Nobel Pines
29-39 Noble St, Somersworth, NH 03878
25. Long Hill Memorial and Dog Park
31 River St, Somersworth, NH 03878
26. Willland Pond
475 High St, Somersworth, NH 03878
27. Harborside Park
Ocean Blvd, Seabrook, NH 03874
28. Hampton Beach State Park
NH-1A, Hampton, NH 03842
29. Powwow River Woodlands
36-56 Jewell St, South Hampton, NH 03827
Portsmouth, NH (and surrounding)
30. Prescott Park
105 Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
31. Great Island Common
301 Wentworth Rd, New Castle, NH 03854
32. Odiorne Point
570 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870
33. Haven Park
Pleasant Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
34. Goodwin Park
Islington St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
35. Pawtuckaway State Park
128 Mountain Rd, Nottingham, NH 03290
36. Bear Brook State Park
157 Deerfield Rd, Allenstown, NH 03275
North Shore Massachusetts
37. Batch Elder Park
92 Powow St, Amesbury, MA 01913
38. Amesbury Town Park
140 Friend St, Amesbury, MA 01913
39. Maudslay Park
74 Curzon Mill Rd, Newburyport, MA 01950
40. Waterfront Park
36 Merrimac St, Newburyport, MA 01950
41. Cashman Park
Sally Snyder Way, Newburyport, MA 01950
42. Salisbury Beach State Reservation
1 Beach Rd, Salisbury, MA 01952
43. Mass Audubon’s Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary
Patmos Rd, Rowley, MA 01969
44. Mill Pond Recreation Area
693 Main St, West Newbury, MA 01985
45. Old Town Hill
Newman Rd, Newbury, MA 01951
46. Winnekenni
347 Kenoza Ave, Haverhill, MA 01830
47. Daniel Boone Park
Ipswich, MA 01938
48. Bradley Palmer State Park
40 Asbury St, Topsfield, MA 01983
49. Baldpate Pond State Park
73-127 Nelson St, Georgetown, MA 01833
50. Wild Cat Forest
Stiles Pond Rd, Boxford, MA 01921
Remember when enjoying outdoor spaces to take only photos and leave only footprints!
How many of these parks have you been to? Share your answer with our #MoveWithBridges on social media.
Written by: Kiana Wright
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