You have probably gone by the short & sweet Mary’s Trail in Brookline without even realizing. It is tucked away along Rt 13 between the road and the Nissitissit River. Mary’s Trail is accessible, stroller friendly and bike friendly as it attaches to the Potanipo Rail Trail. The path takes you along the river with various points where you can get closer and access the water.
Parking at Mary’s Trail
A small paved lot just north of the Sunoco gas station marks the start of the trail. Google Maps has it tagged as Parking for Nissitissit River Trail and Potanipo Rail Trail . The lot is separated enough from the busy road that you can unload comfortably.
A sign marking the trailhead for Mary’s Trail and the start of the story walk is right around the corner from the lot. This is also an access point for the Potanipo Rail Trail which you’ll use to loop back to your car at the end.
The Brookline Public Library’s Storywalk at Mary’s Trail
The Brookline Public Library often hosts a story walk along the trail. This makes it very engaging and an easy to navigate outing for littles. I don’t count on there being a story 100% of the time, especially in snow seasons, but even without the story it is a lovely walk. The wide, flat trail makes it a fun path for toddlers to run from page to page on the storywalk, and it even includes a bridge or two!
At the end of Mary’s Trail, it meets back up with the rail trail allowing you to make a nice loop back to the parking lot. During the summer, you will pass right behind the parking lot for Dr. Davis Ice Cream.
Make a Mental Note: Potanipo Rail Trail for Novice Riders
Make a mental note of this spot if you don’t live on a street where your kiddo can learn to ride their bike. I love how this stretch of rail trail is a nice straight shot, allowing you to see far ahead and behind you. You will be able to do plenty of running push starts without being surprised by anyone zipping around the bend. Plus, when they do ride off victoriously into the sunset, they just need to go straight!
Another benefit of the long open space is if you have a crew with various riding ability; They can spread out while the grown-up in charge has eyes on everyone.
Quick Facts: Mary’s Trail in Brookline
| 1/2 mile loop trail | |
| Paved lot at trailhead | |
| Stroller friendly, Accessible, Bike Friendly | |
| No bathroom | |
| Brookline Conservation Commission’s Trail Map | |
| Address: Parking for Nissitissit River Trail and Potanipo Rail Trail |
Nearby Resources
| Dr Davis Ice Cream (1 minute)* | Seasonal Ice Cream |
| Caryn’s Country Convenience/Val’s Pizza & Subs (1 minute)* | Convenience Store, Pizza & Subs (No bathroom) |
| Brookline’s Finest (1 minute) | Casual lunch, snacks, bakery & bathroom |
Similar trails to try out another day
If you like this trail, you might like:
- The Wildflower Trail Loop at Beaver Brook in Hollis
- The Horse Hill Nature Preserve in Merrimack
Similar to Mary’s Trail, these are both easy, wide, clear trails.
