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Outdoor Fun: Walking Trails at the Tewksbury Hospital Pines Cemetery

Over three acres of flat shaded walking and biking trails

By Paloma Standley, Contributing Writer July 17, 2019


I stumbled upon these trails a few years ago when I noticed cars always parked at the gate entrance to Tewksbury Hospital.  One day I decided to stop and check it out for myself. The trails are perfect for a quick, quiet walk in the woods. I didn’t know this the first time I went on a walk here, but the trails are on an old cemetery. “The Pines” cemetery is a burial space for patients from the Tewksbury State Hospital. Records of patients listed in the cemetery are from roughly 1890 – 1933, consisting of over 8,500 burials.  The cemetery itself is roughly 3 ½ acres.

Once you put aside the fact that you are walking on the grounds of a cemetery, it’s actually quite peaceful. You can’t hear much of the street noise once you start walking. I take my 3 year old daughter for walks here all the time. She likes to pick out sticks and rocks along our walk. We also like to listen and watch for different animals, such as bullfrogs, all types of birds, squirrels and chipmunks. On our walks, we typically see people walking their dogs, runners and bike riders.

The trails (see trail map) are mostly shady and flat, which would be great for a jogging stroller. There are many side trails that you can take. The Pines has marked trails, which I would recommend for your first time going. 

Depending on what trails you take, you will be walking through wooded areas, through openings in the fields, over a bridge, or near a stream. I find the different scenery so beautiful and my daughter loves taking it all in. When my daughter and I go here, we typically walk for about 2 miles. It’s the perfect distance and amount of time to spend here.  

Helpful note, bring bug spray as the walk is near marsh and ponds. And although, I have never done it, I imagine these trails would be great for snow shoeing in the winter!

Getting there: one of the parking areas is at the intersection of Livingston Street and Greenhouse Road. This parking area is small, but I’ve never had issues parking here and it’s free! Just remember not to park in front of the access gate. As you park and prepare for your walk, you will notice the town’s bulletin board with a trail map and other helpful information at the parking area. There is a port-a-potty right as you begin the walk.



Paloma Standley is a Tewksbury mom of 2 daughters, ages 3 years and 8 months.  She is a full time working mom and loves taking on new adventures with her kids. When not seeking out exciting new things to try with her kids, she loves hiking, cooking, biking and traveling.





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