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Helen Heyn Access

Located along the Charles River near the Wells Avenue Office Park, Helen Heyn Conservation Area is readily accessed from 1 Wells Ave or, with careful crossing of Nahanton Street, from the Nahanton Park parking lot on Nahanton Street. Trails in this parcel also connect to trails in DCR’s Charles River Reservation at the west end of Saw Mill Brook Parkway.

Helen Heyn History and Features

This conservation area was dedicated to Mrs. Helen A. Heyn in recognition of her tremendous efforts for Newton, the Conservation Commission, and overall environmental preservation. Without her efforts, Newton would not have title to many of its conservation areas. Helen was the founder and secretary of the Newton Conservators and was awarded the “Most Valuable Contribution to Conservation through Volunteer Activity Award for 1979” by the Massachusetts Conservation Council.

The City of Newton acquired this 30.5 acre forested floodplain parcel in 1997 and so was able to help create and maintain this section of the Blue Heron Trail that runs along the Charles River.

This parcel holds mature hardwood forests as well as Bordering Vegetated Wetland and Floodplain of the Charles River and two large tributary creeks. The combination of upland and wetland ecosystems support a variety of wildlife including great blue heron, black crowned night heron, and snapping turtles. 

Helen Heyn Trail Characteristics

Because of the parcel’s varied topography and bridges, all its trails are a bit challenging. Helen Heyn contains no Generally Accessible Trails; all are Natural Trails.

Newton’s Generally Accessible Trails are relatively flat, they have a firm, level footbed, and are mostly free of tripping hazards. They are wide enough to accommodate many mobility devices.

Newton’s Natural Trails are unimproved and may have steep, uneven, or rocky/rooty footbeds; elevated plank “bog bridges”, or other obstacles that make the trails challenging to negotiate.