Walden Woods

New England is packed to the brim with historic properties—each telling its own story into the modern day and beyond. And few are as notable as Walden Pond, the place that sparked Henry David Thoreau’s most iconic writing.

Just 30 minutes outside Boston in the idyllic town of Concord, Walden Pond has been a cherished and well-protected place for many years. But the surrounding land’s future wasn’t so certain. When condo and office developers tried to plant their stakes in the ’90s, Trust for Public Land decided to join the conversation alongside key partners, including the Walden Woods Project and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Together, we permanently protected 112 bucolic acres full of lush forests and waterways—including Bear Garden Hill, where Thoreau took his famous moonlit walks. Additionally, we helped acquire a historic home at the edge of the property and redesignate it as a library and research center for the Thoreau Institute, which promotes its namesake’s work and legacy.

Today, Walden Pond and the surrounding Walden Woods are more protected than ever. They offer a place for locals and visitors alike to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and opt for a simpler experience rooted in nature.