Boston's best: Off-the-radar parks

Cambridge Center Roof Garden
Anyone harboring secret garden fantasies à la Francis Hodgson Burnett’s iconic novel need look no further than the roof of the parking garage at 4 Cambridge Center. Unknown to even the many who work in the surrounding hive of biotech companies and hotels, the exquisitely manicured topiary offers the most pleasant place to picnic in the area, especially if you like shrubbery, butterflies and pollen. It’s probably best to keep more romantic impulses in check—unless you don’t mind giving a show to the large windows of the next-door Marriott. 4 Cambridge Center, Kendall Square, Cambridge

Cassidy Playground/Chestnut Hill Reservation
The intersection of Beacon Street and Chestnut Hill Avenue offers both recreation and beauty. With one baseball field and two softball fields, two tennis courts and enough green space to get a game of Ultimate Frisbee going, Cassidy Playground gives the denizens of the area’s densely-populated college neighborhoods a place to blow off steam. The real showpiece, however, is the adjacent reservoir and its 1.6-mile path around, loved by joggers and dogs alike. Beacon St and Chestnut Hill Ave, Brighton (mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/chestnutHill.htm; cassidyballpark.org)

Castle Island/Pleasure Bay
Even locals sometimes seem to forget about the 1850 granite bastion known as Fort Independence at the ocean end of South Boston. In addition to the landmark, today’s Pleasure Bay also offers 22 acres of beach, bike paths, picnic areas, fishing grounds, a play area and picturesque views. Free tours of the fort are available year round. Tours noon–3:00pm. Day Blvd, Boston (617-727-5290, mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/castle.htm)

Fresh Pond Reservation
Each time you quench your thirst with a cool drink of tap water in Cambridge, you should consider taking a trip to the source for an even more satisfying relief. Located just under two miles northwest of Harvard Square, the reservoir is a great place to get lost in the 162 acres of woods and meadows, or play a round of golf on the picturesque course. Most visitors prefer a good walk, jog or bike around the 2.25-mile perimeter road. Open dawn–dusk. 200 Fresh Pond Pkwy, Cambridge (617-349-4762, friendsoffreshpond.org)

John F. Kennedy Memorial Park
Though John F. Kennedy doesn’t offer the most space of the city’s parks, it’s got plenty of life. Its location up against a bend in the Charles River and behind the Harvard Kennedy School of Government attracts lounge lovers from the surrounding student neighborhoods. You’ll find ‘em propped up with books, chatting on the grass, tapping on keyboards or puffing fragrant clouds into the air. Toss in a Frisbee, and it’s a full-fledged party. Memorial Dr and John F. Kennedy St, Harvard Square, Cambridge

Nathan Tufts Park
Popularly known as Powder House Park, this relatively small green space at the tip of Tufts University’s Somerville campus packs more history per square inch than most places in the city. Since its construction in 1703, the stone tower at the center of the former quarry and pasture has served as a windmill, armory and pickle storage facility before it was donated to the city as a park in 1893. Today, it’s memorialized in the official city seal and serves as a perch for residents to watch the comings and goings of the adjacent six-way intersection. 43 Liberty Ave, Powderhouse Square, Somerville

Piers Park
Few people ever get over to East Boston unless they either live there or hunting for homemade empanadas. But a ten-minute walk from the Maverick T stop, you’ll find 6.5 acres of park complete with playground, mini amphitheater, and a 600-foot pedestrian promenade leading to spectacular views of downtown Boston (and the best sunsets). With possibly the best picnic grounds in the city (but no ball throwing), the park also hosts a non-profit community sailing center for those looking to take advantage of the harbor sans the crowds of the Charles River. 95 Marginal St, East Boston