50 Local Green Spaces to Reduce Stress

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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

Wells, ME

1. Harbor Park

331 Harbor Rd, Wells, ME

2. Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
342 Laudholm Farm Rd, Wells, ME 04090

Signs pointing to wells estuary and beach. — *Trails at Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve leading to an overlook and beach.*

South Berwick, ME

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

Kittery, ME

5. Rogers Park

46-68 Dion Ave, Kittery, ME 03904

6. Fort Foster

Pocahontas Rd, Kittery Point, ME 03905

Eliot, ME

7. Barks and Rec

31090_19-30, Eliot, ME 03903

York, ME

8. Ellis Park

Ocean Ave, York, ME 03909

Nubble Point Light House in Maine — *Nubble Light House opened in 1879*

9. Sohier Park-Nubble Point

11Sohier Park Rd, York, ME 03909

10. Hartely Mason Reservation

481 York St, York, ME 03909

Seacoast New Hampshire

Dover, NH

11. Garrison Hill Park

Abbey Sawyer Memorial Hwy, Dover, NH 03820

12. Woodman Park

5 Woodman Park Dr, Dover, NH 03820

Cocheco River running through Dover, NH at sunset — *Cocheco River running through Dover, NH. Photo Credit: Ben Gutzler.*

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

Rochester, NH

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

Stratham, NH

19. Stratham Hill Park

270 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH 03885

Exeter, NH

20. Swasey Park

316 Water St, Exeter, NH 03833

Bandstand in Swasey Park in Downtown Exeter. — *Swasey Park in Downtown Exeter.*

21. Founders Park

20-98 Pleasant St, Exeter, NH 03833

22. Henderson Swasey Town Forest

10 Newfields Rd, Exeter, NH 03833

Somersworth, NH

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

Hampton, NH

27. Harborside Park

Ocean Blvd, Seabrook, NH 03874

Ocean in between dunes at Hampton Beach State Park Hampton, NH. — *Hampton Beach State Park Hampton, NH.*

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

Nottingham, NH

35. Pawtuckaway State Park

128 Mountain Rd, Nottingham, NH 03290

View from the fire tower of Tower trail, Pawtuckaway State Park Nottingham, NH. — *View from the fire tower of Tower Tail, Pawtuckaway State Park Nottingham, NH.*

36. Bear Brook State Park

157 Deerfield Rd, Allenstown, NH 03275

North Shore Massachusetts

Amesbury, MA

37. Batch Elder Park

92 Powow St, Amesbury, MA 01913

38. Amesbury Town Park

140 Friend St, Amesbury, MA 01913

Newburyport, MA

39. Maudslay Park

74 Curzon Mill Rd, Newburyport, MA 01950

40. Waterfront Park

36 Merrimac St, Newburyport, MA 01950

Decommissioned buoy in Waterfront Park Newburyport, MA. — *Buoy in Waterfront Park Newburyport, MA.*

41. Cashman Park

Sally Snyder Way, Newburyport, MA 01950

Salisbury, MA

42. Salisbury Beach State Reservation

1 Beach Rd, Salisbury, MA 01952

Rowley, MA

43. Mass Audubon's Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary

Patmos Rd, Rowley, MA 01969

*Rowley’s Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Spring.*

Newbury, MA

44. Mill Pond Recreation Area

693 Main St, West Newbury, MA 01985

45. Old Town Hill

Newman Rd, Newbury, MA 01951

Haverhill, MA

46. Winnekenni

347 Kenoza Ave, Haverhill, MA 01830

Ipswich, MA

47. Daniel Boone Park

Ipswich, MA 01938

*Bradley Palmer State Park on the Topsfield/Ipswich line.*

48. Bradley Palmer State Park

40 Asbury St, Topsfield, MA 01983

Georgetown, MA

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.