Hot Spots to Hang out at AB
BY MAY HONG '23 & KATHERINE LEE '23
On the surface, Acton is your average small suburban town, with nothing to do and few defining characteristics. However, its community and ambiance is something that no metropolis could ever recreate: Acton is a great place to live, despite its superficial blandness. From Nara Park to the bike trails, Acton’s current facilities are underappreciated. To rectify this oversight, we have gone through and compiled a list of our favorite town’s spots. Keep in mind that if you do decide to hang out, be sure to keep gatherings small and maintain at least six feet of distance with face masks, as per our governor’s orders.
First, whether you are looking to watch fireworks or take a break from the commotion of everyday life, Nara Park is everyone’s go-to destination. It provides a multitude of pastimes to enjoy, such as fishing at the pond, walking the trails, or playing sports on the fields. It serves as a center for many gatherings as well, with convenient amenities like picnic tables, trash cans, and bathrooms. Nara is the perfect space for hosting a small family cookout or meeting up to play volleyball at the sand-pit courts. This park is our town’s cornerstone for community bonding—it’s definitely worth a visit!
The last place you’d expect to go during your free time is school, but the streets around ABRHS constantly bustle with activity—from Dunkin’ to T.C. Lando’s, the area has many delicious places to eat. These restaurants’ proximity to the school make them a fun place to walk to with friends, especially on half-days. After a good meal, many make their way to the Lower Fields, which provides a wide space to play games or to simply enjoy each other's presence. Additionally, the school itself is an underrated place to converse with friends. In a normal year, the library and commons have cozy tables and nooks to study or to talk. It’s easy to get caught up in the massive workload and constant stress, but these sites in and around school provide the perfect locations to escape from the pressure of school life, take a moment to breathe, and spend time with friends.
In addition to taking care of your mental health, it's important to stay healthy and active, especially during this pandemic. Fortunately, Acton has a variety of hiking trails, gardens, and biking paths that are both enjoyable and accommodating of social distancing guidelines. Some of these hiking trails can be on the more strenuous side, which is perfect for those looking to get exercise while enjoying the beauty and sounds of nature. Trails at the Great Hill Recreation Area and Wills Hole Conservation Land are the best places to start. For those looking for a more relaxing walk, the Arboretum provides leisurely paths, hemmed by a variety of gorgeous blossoms planted by the Acton community. Additionally, the new bike trails around Nara have been a popular attraction; the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is a paved path for cyclists and walkers that stretches all the way from Chelmsford to Framingham, passing beautiful sites like Lowell and Heart Pond.
Though Acton seems a bit mundane at first, this town provides plenty of attractions for residents to enjoy--our hiking trails and conservation lands reveal the untouched beauty of New England’s environment, and local businesses offer food and products you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Even during the pandemic, we have the privilege of enjoying outdoor activities as we continue to support the local community. Acton’s hidden gems are still greatly overlooked—now is the perfect time to explore what makes this town truly unique.
First, whether you are looking to watch fireworks or take a break from the commotion of everyday life, Nara Park is everyone’s go-to destination. It provides a multitude of pastimes to enjoy, such as fishing at the pond, walking the trails, or playing sports on the fields. It serves as a center for many gatherings as well, with convenient amenities like picnic tables, trash cans, and bathrooms. Nara is the perfect space for hosting a small family cookout or meeting up to play volleyball at the sand-pit courts. This park is our town’s cornerstone for community bonding—it’s definitely worth a visit!
The last place you’d expect to go during your free time is school, but the streets around ABRHS constantly bustle with activity—from Dunkin’ to T.C. Lando’s, the area has many delicious places to eat. These restaurants’ proximity to the school make them a fun place to walk to with friends, especially on half-days. After a good meal, many make their way to the Lower Fields, which provides a wide space to play games or to simply enjoy each other's presence. Additionally, the school itself is an underrated place to converse with friends. In a normal year, the library and commons have cozy tables and nooks to study or to talk. It’s easy to get caught up in the massive workload and constant stress, but these sites in and around school provide the perfect locations to escape from the pressure of school life, take a moment to breathe, and spend time with friends.
In addition to taking care of your mental health, it's important to stay healthy and active, especially during this pandemic. Fortunately, Acton has a variety of hiking trails, gardens, and biking paths that are both enjoyable and accommodating of social distancing guidelines. Some of these hiking trails can be on the more strenuous side, which is perfect for those looking to get exercise while enjoying the beauty and sounds of nature. Trails at the Great Hill Recreation Area and Wills Hole Conservation Land are the best places to start. For those looking for a more relaxing walk, the Arboretum provides leisurely paths, hemmed by a variety of gorgeous blossoms planted by the Acton community. Additionally, the new bike trails around Nara have been a popular attraction; the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is a paved path for cyclists and walkers that stretches all the way from Chelmsford to Framingham, passing beautiful sites like Lowell and Heart Pond.
Though Acton seems a bit mundane at first, this town provides plenty of attractions for residents to enjoy--our hiking trails and conservation lands reveal the untouched beauty of New England’s environment, and local businesses offer food and products you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Even during the pandemic, we have the privilege of enjoying outdoor activities as we continue to support the local community. Acton’s hidden gems are still greatly overlooked—now is the perfect time to explore what makes this town truly unique.
