Chestnut Hill Reservoir sits at the southern edge of Boston’s Brighton neighborhood, near Cleveland Circle on the Boston-Brookline line. Built in the 1860s and 1870s as part of the city’s expanding water supply, the reservoir is no longer a primary drinking-water source but survives as one of the area’s most beloved open spaces. A paved path roughly 1.5 miles long encircles the water, drawing joggers, dog walkers, and birdwatchers throughout the year.
The reservoir is part of the state-managed Chestnut Hill Reservation and sits beside the historic Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, housed in the former High Service Pumping Station. With Boston College rising just to the west and the Green Line C branch terminating nearby, it is an easy and scenic stop. The tree-lined banks and open sky make it a favorite spot for sunset views and quiet walks away from the busier downtown core.
Good to know
- Free and open to the public as part of the state-managed Chestnut Hill Reservation
- A roughly 1.5-mile paved loop circles the water, popular for walking, running, and birdwatching
- Adjacent to the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum in the former pumping station
- Sits beside Boston College and Cleveland Circle; check mass.gov for current reservation rules
Getting there
- Address: 400 Chestnut Hill Ave, Brighton, Boston, MA 02135 (reservation spans the Boston-Brookline line)
- Neighborhood: Brighton (near Cleveland Circle / Chestnut Hill)
- Nearest T: Cleveland Circle (MBTA Green Line C branch); Reservoir/Chestnut Hill Ave (Green Line D / B nearby)