The workout: With a slew of outdoor facilities, your workout routine will never tire or hit a plateau. Runners can hit the paved, three-quarter mile path that has enough inclines, declines and stairs to keep your run interesting. Those looking to keep their feet on flat ground can spread out among one of the many grassy baseball and soccer fields, which are lighted for an evening pick-up game. The outdoor lap pool is open weekends from 1-5pm, weekdays from 11am-2pm and 3-6pm, with a designated hour for adult lap swim from 6-7pm. Children and seniors get in for free and adults pay $2.50. It’s unheated, though, so the cold-blooded beware.
The scene: Located in the hub of the city, nestled next to the The Grove, the 28-acre park is where families come to barbecue, runners and dog owners come for a slice of the great outdoors, sunbathers and lovers lie on the grassy knolls. Runners looking for an intense run might look elsewhere. But if you don’t mind dodging dogs, strollers and kids on bicycles (and the occasional bum) There are bathrooms and water fountains on-site with the Grove and a 7-Eleven store across the street on either sides of the park.
How’s the parking? There’s plenty of free parking in the park’s lot—enter from Beverly—and along Third Street and Gardner. If you’re wary of street parking (or need shade), you can always park at The Grove's covered garage.
Bonus: Seniors and children can get moving too—for cheap—at the park’s senior facility, public library, and seasonal flag football and basketball.