Crane Ledge, Boston
Overlooking the Stony Brook Valley

Crane Ledge is a rock cliff looking southwestward across Hyde Park and the valley of the now-buried Stony Brook. The stone ledge is mostly open, but it is backed by a significant forest of mature trees which preserve a sense of wilderness for the entire site and keep the area cool on hot days. The view across the valley feels rural despite the fact that it overlooks a dense urban neighborhood, and gives a rare sense of Hyde Park of more than a century ago when Crane Ledge was a site for weekend picnics. It is now mostly overgrown with low brush, but could host a network of trails which would provide access to the woods and views. It is publicly accessible from American Legion Highway (/Parkway) in Roslindale to the west and Ruskin Road to the south. An additional path from city-owned land at the base of the cliff might be possible. Access from the Walgreens end of the shopping mall, the back of Oak Lawn Cemetery, and Victoria Heights Road is also possible.

Upcoming Events [Past Events] Photos Neighborhood Crane Ledge Tour, January 31, 2021 [Google Album] 3rd Annual First Day Hike to Crane Ledge, January 1, 2021 [Google Album] Aftermath of Construction on Crane Ledge, October 25, 2020 Construction on Crane Ledge, September 28, 2020 [Google Album] Crossing Stony Brook Valley with Charlotte, May 30, 2020 Quarantine Walk to Crane Ledge, May 16, 2020 Stony Brook Valley from Crane Ledge, March 7, 2020 2nd Annual First Day Hike to Crane Ledge, January 1, 2020 Thanksgiving Walk to Crane Ledge, November 21, 2019 1st Annual First Day Hike to Crane Ledge, January 1, 2019 Maps Historical Maps and Images Crane Ledge Forest Threatened Google Aerial Photo Google terrain map Resources Proposed Development 2021 Potential Land Parcels for Crane Ledge Urban Wild "Sally Rock Quarry" 1979 Geology by James W. Skehan, S.J. from "Puddingston, Drumlins, and Ancient Volcanoes" "Sally Rock Quarry" 1981 Archaeology by William F. Bowman in the "Bulletin of the Mass. Archaeological Society" 1970 Boston Redevelopment Authority Study of "Barry's Quarry" of which this is part The Lost Road and the Towers of Doom by Adam Gaffin in the Universal Hub, November 18, 2012

Preserving Crane Ledge
It is important that the city of Boston preserve this land by purchasing it as an Urban Wild. To develop and maintain the site's values, a plan is needed for preservation of the forest and the view corridors from the cliffs. Invasive removal is also needed to make access improvements possible. From the west, a paved but closed road extending from American Legion Parkway and passing near the cliff needs to be cleared and connected by a trail to the ledge.	From the east, there is a trail through the largest untouched woodland in the area to the dead end of Ruskin Rd. There is housing right up to most of the base of the cliff on dead-end streets off Bradlee Rd., though the city of Boston owns some open space against the cliff, and it might be possible to construct a trail from one of those streets to the ledge. In the long run, it might be important to control trees growing along the cliff, both above and below, to preserve views.
	-Jessica Mink, January 29, 2021