Castle Island

InLine Skating in Greater Boston

Terrain

Flat

Surface

Smooth

Scenery

Ocean harbor and historic fort :

Auto Traffic

None

Pedestrian Traffic

Moderate

Distance

2.25

South Boston

Castle Island in South Boston is an ideal location to skate on one of those hot humid July days, when it feels too hot to do anything but you’re too restless not to. The Castle Island loop takes you out into Boston Harbor. Offshore breezes cool you as you work your way toward Head Island and then toward Fort Independence. This location is also great for night skating. There is no automobile traffic and the reflection of a full moon off the harbor can provide plenty of light, making the area safe and somewhat romantic. An early morning skate with a rising sun can also be enjoyable and relaxing. Castle Island is the oldest continuously fortified site in North America. Since it was first fortified, it has had many other uses. In addition to being a fort, it was the first home of the Boston Marine Hospital (now the U.S. Public Health Service), a quarantine station, a smallpox inoculation hospital, Massachusetts’s first prison, a lighthouse and a military prison. The island is the southeast terminus of Boston’s Emerald Necklace. It is open year-round and is frequently used by joggers and fishermen, as well as inline skaters.

How to Get There

To get to Castle Island, take Rte. 93 south out of Boston. Take exit 15 and head toward the Convention Center and the Kennedy Library. At Columbus Park, take the Day Blvd. exit. Follow Columbia Road along the harbor shore past Carson Beach and L. Street Beach to Pleasure Bay. Castle Island is at the west end of Pleasure Bay. There is parking along most of Day Blvd.

Where to Skate

The best place to start is at City Point. Here the pavement is very smooth. The path takes you to Head Island, a very small island with a large circular sitting bench. The breakwall path continues onto Castle Island where you can circle the fort and return along the road or back on the route you came.

Table of Contents

Disclaimer

Printing of this page for personal use is not restricted. The use of this page for any commercial endeavor requires prior written approval and may involve some financial consideration. All material copyright 2000 by InLine Club of Boston. Reproduction of this page without this Disclaimer in its entirety is forbidden.

The materials provided here are used at one's own risk; injuries do occur while skating. By providing these materials, InLine Club of Boston and the authors makes no implicit or explicit guarantee that you will not be injured while skating at these or any other locations. Skaters should wear appropriate protective equipment including a helmet at all times and should have developed plans for what to do in the event they suddenly need to obtain medical assistance.

The ICB makes no guarantees that the information provided herein is completely accurate or current. If you know of any discrepencies, please notify us so that we may correct them.