Francis William Bird Park, Walpole, MA - The Trustees of Reservations

Francis William Bird Park, Walpole, MA - The Trustees of Reservations
South of Boston
Francis William Bird Park
Walpole
89 acres
Stroll meandering pathways and cross artisan-built stone bridges at this family-friendly park of open fields, groves of trees, and frog ponds.
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Plan Your Visit
Overview
Ideas for Your Visit
Admission & Hours
Directions & Contact Info
Facilities & Accessibility
Venue Rental
Property Map
Regulations & Advisories
Overview
A visit to Francis William Bird Park is a detour into nature in pursuit of play, no matter your age. Rolling fields lined by tree groves, a trio of ponds, and gurgling brooks comprise a lovely, organic tableau. The abundance of carefree recreation is testament to park designer John Nolen—a disciple of Frederick Law Olmsted—and his belief that a mixture of relaxation and active play should be parts of the park experience.
Ideas for Your Visit
When you arrive here, start by exploring the more than three miles of easy walking paths crisscrossing the 89-acre park to survey its woodlands, meadows, and water features. Spend a moment contemplating the park’s origin, created and endowed in 1925 by Charles Sumner Bird, Sr., and his wife, Anna, in memory of their eldest son, Francis William Bird (1881-1918). Then, let the games begin. Four tennis courts, a basketball court, and a playground for ages 2-12 are all you need for a memorable afternoon of family fun. Finish up the day by rolling out a blanket for a picnic on the park’s broad lawns, and savor what Nolen called the “spiritual uplift of nature.”
Admission & Hours
FREE to all.
Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.
Directions & Contact Info
Polley Lane
Walpole, MA 02032
Telephone: 508.668.6136
birdpark@thetrustees.org
Get
directions in Google Maps
Directions to Main Parking Lot on Polley Lane:
From the I-95/Rt. 128 Split (Canton): From I-95 South, take Exit 21. Turn right onto Coney St. Follow for 0.8 mi. (cross over Rt. 1 at traffic light). Turn left onto Pleasant St. and then right onto Polley Lane in 0.3 mile. Parking area (60 cars) is 0.1 mile on left.
Additional parking areas are available on Pleasant St and Rhoades Ave.
Public Transportation
: Take the 34E bus line, accessible from the Forest Hills Orange Line T stop or the Franklin commuter rail line at Norwood Central station. Visit
mbta.com
for more details.
Facilities & Accessibility
Bike rack, benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles, public restroom (portable toilet open seasonally).
Park includes a “tot lot” with children’s play equipment, two playgrounds, two tennis courts (one painted with additional lines for pickleball), two small basketball courts, and an outdoor stage where public events are held.
Accessible Features
Pathways at Bird Park consist of concrete, stucco pavers, compact gravel, and compact dirt but there are sections that are not wheelchair accessible. There is accessible parking and a level entrance to the Park at the Pleasant Street lot and The Union Congregational Church lot (55 Rhoades Avenue).
Venue Rental
Tables in the Bird Park Picnic Grove are first-come, first-served. If you love Bird Park, please consider becoming a
Trustees Member
. Your membership dollars support the care of this special place.
Property Map
There is a property map available on a kiosk in the main parking area.
We recommend that you take a photo of the map on your phone so you can refer to it during your visit, or
download a trail map
before you head out.
Regulations & Advisories
We hope you enjoy your visit. For your safety, and to help protect this unique resource, we ask that you please comply with the following regulations:
Please respect the tranquility of this park and others’ enjoyment of their visit here.
Dogs are welcome, but on-leash only. Please dispose of dog waste properly in litter barrels.
Bird Park is open from sunrise to sunset. Entering or remaining on the property after that time is prohibited.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Permits are required for portrait photography sessions at Francis William Bird Park. Photographers or their clients must be full Trustees Members to purchase
portrait session permits
at this property.
Learn more about purchasing a portrait session permit.
The following are prohibited at Bird Park:
Consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages
Fires, camping, littering, or dumping
Motorized vehicles (except for wheelchairs and authorized management purposes)
Golfing, ice skating, swimming, wading, and fishing
Cutting or removing vegetation
Disturbing wildlife
Removing or loosening old stone walls and rail fences
Disturbing, removing, defacing, cutting, or otherwise causing damage to a natural feature, sign, poster, barrier, building, or other property in the park.
Hunting is not permitted at this reservation.
Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties
Note:
Please check at the property for posted advisories and regulations.
Before Setting Out
Walks in the Park
Finding an easy enjoyable stroll at one of our special places is as easy as, well, a walk in the park!
Accessible Trails
Properties with wheelchair accessible and wheelchair-friendly trails.
Guidelines for Dog Walkers
Trustees properties that allow on-leash or off-leash dogs, as well as guidelines when walking your dog.
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Friday, April 24
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Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
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Join us for a barnyard adventure!
Saturday, April 25
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Saturday, April 25
Family Farm Chores at Weir River Farm
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Help with morning chores at Weir River Farm!
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Participate in the Greater Fall River City Nature Challenge by spotting and photographing wildlife on the Quequechan River!
History
The reservation was created and endowed in 1925 as a public park by local industrialist Charles Sumner Bird, Sr. and his wife, Anna, in memory of their oldest son, Francis William Bird (1888-1918), who succumbed to pneumonia at age 37.
The View From Here
See What People Say
"Eternally thankful for this suburban oasis...been seeking refuge there for 50 years!"
Nancy Davis, Walpole resident and long-time Bird Park devotee.
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