Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
500 Walk Hill Street
Mattapan, MA 02126
617-983-8500
Directions to the Boston Nature Center:
Click on map to view on Google Maps.
NOTE: Boston Nature Center is located on the grounds of the old Boston State Hospital, bounded by Morton Street (Route 203), American Legion Highway, Walk Hill Street, and Harvard Street. Many road maps and bus route maps still identify it as “Boston State Hospital” or “State Hospital.” There is ongoing construction around our borders. Please drive or walk carefully.
From the Mass Pike:
Take I-90 towards Boston/NH/Maine. Follow I-90 East until the I-95/Route 128 Exit, Exit 14. Merge onto I-95 South. Take the Route 9 East exit towards Boston/Brookline, Exit 20A. Follow the directions immediately below “From the West.”
From the West:
Take Route 9 East to Route 1 South, the Jamaica Way. Follow the Jamaica Way (past Jamaica Pond) then follow Route 203 past Arnold Arboretum, keep to the left over an overpass, straight through a rotary (Route 203 becomes Morton Street). Continue to follow Morton Street/Route 203 past Shattuck Hospital on your left and past Forest Hills cemetery on your right. Continue under an underpass (American Legion Hwy), and turn right at the second light onto Harvard Street. Take the first right onto West Main St. Follow the road to the left and turn right at the sign for Boston Nature Center.
From the North:
Route 93 South (across Boston) until you see the South Bay Mall on your right. Take Exit 15 for “Columbia Road/JFK.” Take right at bottom of ramp onto Columbia Road. Columbia Road will bear to the left at the intersection of Mass Ave. and Boston Street. Follow Columbia Road until it intersects with Blue Hill Avenue. (Franklin Park Zoo will be across the street.) Make left turn on Blue Hill Ave.; get into the right lane and follow to the intersection of American Legion Highway (at Mobil Station). Turn right onto American Legion Highway. At the third set of lights, turn left onto Walk Hill Street. Take the left at the sign for Mass Biologics, then another left at the sign for the Boston Nature Center.
From the South:
Off Route 128, take Milton Exit (138 North). Follow through Mattapan Square, following Blue Hill Ave. until you come to Walk Hill Street (~5 miles). Turn left onto Walk Hill Street (at restaurant with green awnings). Follow through 2 sets of lights and take the second right at the sign for for Mass Biologics, then another left at the sign for the Boston Nature Center.
By Public Transportation
By MBTA bus (suggested routes below):
| Route # | Bus Stop | Leaves from | Service |
| 14 | American Legion Hwy. & Walk Hill St. | Dudley Station/Roslindale Sq. | Runs frequently; no Sunday service |
| 21 | Harvard St. & Morton St. | Forest Hills/Ashmont Station | Runs frequently; hourly on Sundays |
| 28 | Blue Hill Ave. & Morton St. | Ruggles/Mattapan Station | Runs frequently; every 45 min. on Sundays |
| 29 | Blue Hill Ave. & Morton St. | Jackson Sq./Mattapan Station | Runs frequently; no Sunday service |
| 31 | Harvard St. & Morton St. | Forest Hills/Mattapan Station | Runs frequently daily |
If you get off the bus on Morton Street:
Get off the bus at Harvard Street intersection. Turn right up Harvard Street to entrance at Olmsted Green. Turn right at Mass Audubon/Boston Nature Center sign onto West Main Street. Follow the road to the left for about ¼ mile to second MAS/Boston Nature Center sign and turn right into sanctuary driveway.
If you get off the bus at Walk Hill and American Legion Hwy:
Follow Walk Hill Street until you come to two large columns and see the Mass Audubon/Boston Nature Center sign on the left (opposite Mt. Hope Cemetery). Turn left onto this road, walk past three brick buildings, and follow the road to the BNC.
Walking From Forest Hills T Station (about a 1¼ mile walk):
Be sure to exit the station onto the Hyde Park Avenue side. Cross Hyde Park Avenue, and then turn right. Turn left at Walk Hill Street (you will see a Dunkin Donuts on the corner). Proceed up Walk Hill Street past Forest Hills Cemetery to the intersection of American Legion Highway. Cross American Legion Highway and follow directions above for Walk Hill and American Legion Hwy.