You can use the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail (BWHT) map to plan dog walks that can serve as an in-depth study of a favorite neighborhood or a part of the city that is new to you. Or you could use it to turn an everyday walk into a new-territory-sniffing adventure for your dog.
The mission statement of this organization is noteworthy. “Founded in 1989, the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail celebrates the past accomplishments of remarkable women in Boston, claiming their rightful place in our City’s history. Through education, reflection, and an interactive city-wide monument, we activate the powerful female side of Boston’s history.” In addition to maintaining and expanding the trail, this organization also holds events.
How to Use The Map
This city-wide trial is organized by neighborhoods and by interests. You can decide to explore the women of Beacon Hill, the South End, or Jamaica Plain. Once you decide on an area to visit, you can add stops along the way for shopping, food, or other interests. Make a list of parks for rest stops or a picnic lunch, but be sure to check if these places are dog-friendly.
The other way to explore this trail is by your interests. The BWHT also has curated walks for Arts and Culture, Abolition, Civil Rights, and Social Activism, as well as by time period, for the 17th through the 21st centuries.
Many of the stops on these tours are residences today, as they were when the noteworthy woman lived there. Some have historic plaques, and others don’t. Artwork and sculpture are other items you might find on your walk. Some stops will tell you about groups that forward the future of women rather than one woman.
Self-Guided Tours
If this concept of exploring trails is new to you, they have self-guided tours of Chinatown, Back Bay, and Jamaica Plain. They divide the Back Bay tour into Back Bay East and Back Bay West. This type of option lets you decide how much you want to include in a day.
Planning the Stroll
We always recommend gathering a pack for these explorations, so you have someone to stay with the dogs if the humans need to use the restroom or go into a shop or restaurant for food.
If you are coming from outside the city, plan where you will park or which MBTA service you will take to reach your destination. Remember, well-behaved dogs are welcome on the MBTA outside rush hours, but are subject to the driver's approval.
You will need water and food for the people and the dogs. You can either pack these or plan where you will purchase them. For example, if you opt for a South End tour, you can visit Polkadog and Formaggio Kitchen on the same block as Peter's Park, which has an enclosed dog park. Myers and Chang restaurant is also adjacent to the park.
We shouldn’t have to say this, but make sure you bring pick-up bags and keep your dogs leashed while exploring city trails.
Join and Support the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail
When you find an excellent resource like this, remember that it is there because people who care about aspects of our history and society like this one join, support, and volunteer to ensure it continues to deliver and grow. At the top of the page www.bwht.org, you will find a membership link.