THE STONEHAM COMMUNITY
A town of 22,000 located only 10 miles from Boston, has a great small town feel. The downtown area has a high walkability index and with multiple exits on both I-93 and Rt. 128 is great for commuting both to Boston and to the North Shore and 128 corridor. For those who want public transport, the 132 MBTA bus goes direct to Oak Grove station or you can use a number of nearby commuter rail stations. Houses here are a relative bargain compared to neighbors such as Winchester, if you can find one. Housing stock is snapped up fast. Real Estate website Movoto rated Stoneham as #4 in its list of Best Boston Suburbs. Citing its historic homes, family friendly amenities such as the Stone Zoo, adult pursuits such as restaurants and the Stoneham Theatre, and low commute time.
HOME TO RESOURCES SUCH AS THE MIDDLESEX FELLS…
The Stone Zoo and the Stoneham Theatre. Stoneham has a number of amenities that make it a fantastic place to live, visit, and work. Its downtown area and Common with Town Hall, churches and a gazebo scream New England charm. Whether you want recreation, culture, shopping or history, you’ll want to check out Stoneham.
Stoneham schools were rated in top 50 in 2015 and 2016 by Boston Magazine, besting many other local school systems. In 2014, the town opened a new updated Middle School and is poised for a major renovation to its high school. Stoneham is also among the safest communities in Massachusetts using federal safety and crime data.
STONEHAM SQUARE IS THE HEART OF STONEHAM’S DOWNTOWN CENTER…
The Town Center is being improved with a five-year action plan to improve public transportation and walkability, add community events, and beautify the streetscapes. The square features a number of shops and restaurants with dishes ranging from coffee and quick bites to upscale American, Italian, Indian and Asian fusion. Also in the Square, Stoneham Theatre helps keep the art of professional theater thriving in the suburbs. Outside the immediate Stoneham Square area are additional restaurants and shopping along the Rt. 28/Main Street corridor and Redstone Plaza, soon to host a Target Express.
THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY STEMS FROM…
From a Farmer’s Market on the Common to a Food Truck Festival, Stoneham offers a number of annual and special events and attractions such as the Stoneham Theatre, summer Concerts on the Common, parades, a Halloween Stroll, Zoo Lights, Town Day Celebration, Holiday Tree Lighting and an ice skating rink on the Common.
Two jewels of recreation exist in Stoneham. An entire third of the town is open space, most notably one of the crown jewels of the Massachusetts park system, the 2575-acre Middlesex Fells Reservation. Miles of trails are open for walking, hiking, climbing, biking, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. Or take your dog to the Sheepfold for some off-leash exercise. You can also experience a beautiful day fishing or boating on Spot Pond, with summer boat rentals. Along with being a great family day out, the Stone Zoo offers events such the annual Zoo Lights festival, where you can see a spectacular light show, visit with live reindeer and even ride a camel.
There are a number of other recreational activities from a public pool to a large number of youth sports, Boys and Girls Scout troops, Boys & Girls Club and new Recreation Department. Construction is starting in 2017 on the 7-mile Tri-Commuity get away that will connect Stoneham to Winchester’s Wedgemere Station via Woburn. Stoneham also boasts a skating arena and three local golf courses.
You can check out more on the community on www.explorestoneham.com or the town website www.stoneham-ma.gov.
Written by: Dolly Wilson, Chairperson for Stoneham Bikeway/Greenway Committee
