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Blue Hills
For those of you who enjoy the great outdoors and have the exploration gene, this is the place. Blue Hills is a short bike ride from campus (approximately 19 minutes) to the closest entry. Soon you will experience challenging trails for hiking or Biking, scenic vistas and the serenity of the great outdoors! Blue Hills Reservation stretches over 7,000 acres, providing a green oasis in an urban environment just minutes away from ENC. Great Blue Hill peaks a height of 635 feet, the highest of the 22 hills in the Blue Hills chain. From the rocky summit visitors can see over the entire metropolitan area. With its scenic views, varied terrain and 125 miles of trails, the Blue Hills Reservation offers year-round enjoyment for the outdoor enthusiast. 3.5 miles from Campus
Reservation Headquarters
695 Hillside Street, Milton, MA 02186
617-698-1802
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/blue.htm
Recreation
We all like to get off campus and do something different, right? Now you have plenty of excuses to explore the local parks for an off-the-beaten path excursion with your bike ride, go hiking, play some sports at the local recreation and sports facilities or better yet, sample the local beaches and waterfront locales. Soon you will be using your free time to discover what life has to offer beyond campus life.
Squaw Rock
One of the most beautiful places to see, Squaw Rock is just a couple miles from ENC’s campus, yet is rarely heard of among students. This is because the location is Quincy’s best-kept secret. The park is great for bike riding or hiking. We recommend going in the morning when the views from early sunrise are still incredible and the scene is at its most peaceful time.
From ENC take E. Elm to the beach and go North (left) on Quincy Shore Dr, for about 1 mile. Make a right at the corner of Dunkin Donuts (E. Squantum St.). Take that road all the way down staying along the waterfront for another quarter mile and Squaw Rock’s entrance will be on your left!
Adams National Historical Park
Some of you may have heard that Quincy, Massachusetts holds a lot of historical importance. Also known as the City of Presidents, here in Quincy you can visit Adams National Historical Park and experience the history yourself. It’s a great way to understand the historical aspect of this rich city!
135 Adams Street Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 770-1175
http://www.nps.gov/adam/index.htm
Merrymount Park
Located just 5 minutes from school, Merrymount Park stands proudly on Hancock with a beautiful water fountain. The spot welcomes lots of locals from all age groups. With tennis courts, basketball courts, and a field big enough for more sports, there is plenty to do here! Make sure you come visit during a snow day, where there are plenty of little hills nearby to go sledding!
Take E. Elm Ave. to Hancock St. and turn left. Continue straight until you reach Fenno St. On the left is Merrymount Park.
Waterfront
Veterans Memorial Stadium
The largest stadium in the area, Veterans Memorial Stadium is home to local athletics including ENC’s Men’s and Women’s Varsity Soccer teams. Some of your favorite memories may occur at this location, when you cheer for your favorite Lions or just come to watch a local high school football game. The best way to experience this stadium is when its alive! When filled, Veterans Memorial welcomes thousands in its bleachers. You will not want to miss Homecoming Weekend here, as the stadium is filled with ENC current students, alumni and faculty/staff.
Take E. Elm Ave to Hancock St.. Turn left on Hancock and about 1/4 mile is Veterans Memorial at the intersection of Southern Artery and Hancock. Approx. 1 mile from ENC.
Wollaston Beach
When it’s just too hot outside to study for those finals, you can be sure your fellow classmates will be soaking up the sun on Wolly beach’s sandy bay. The strip is about 3 miles long, perfect for a run or a bike ride. At night, Wollaston beach is a great spot to view Boston’s skyline with a group of friends. Best part? We are LITERALLY just down the street from the beautiful location.
Located on Quincy Shore Dr.
1/4 mile from ENC
Adams Field
At ENC, Spring semester means one thing: Baseball season! Some of you know that America’s favorite pastime is baseball, but at ENC baseball means so much more. Support your Men’s Baseball team as they play home games at Adam’s field. The field is close enough to walk to or drive.
Take E. Elm Ave to Hancock St.. Make a left and continue straight. Turn left at Southern Artery( Rt. 3A) and Adams field will be on the left down the road. Approx. 1 mile from ENC.
Nantasket Beach
Just thirty minutes from ENC, Nantasket Beach is a popular summer destination for New Englanders since the 19th century. Get a group of your friends together while it’s still hot in the beginning of the Fall semester and head out for a day in the sun! On weekends you can be sure an event is going on in the public is going on near the Paragon Carousel, a historic part of the area’s old amusement park!
From ENC take E. Elm to Hancock St. Turning left on Hancock and make another left at Southern Artery (Rt. 3A). Continue on Rt. 3A to Washington Blvd, in Hingham. Then take Nantasket Avenue into Hull.
Rt. 3A Hull
617-727-5290
Mitchell McCoy Field
Considered one of the nicest fields around, Mitchell McCoy is where local softball leagues and teams come to play. Support the ENC Women’s Softball team as they play home games at Mitchell McCoy.
Take E Elm Ave to Hancock St.. Make a left and continue straight. Turn left at Southern Artery( Rt. 3A) and Adams field will be on the left down the road. Approx. 1 mile from ENC.
Old Silver Beach (Cape Cod)
Old Silver Beach in North Falmouth, MA is one of the getaway beaches for people who don’t want to drive too far to get some nice Cape Cod sand and sun. Known for its warm Buzzards Bay water, sandbars and rolling waves, Old Silver Beach is just over an hour drive from ENC and fifteen minutes from Main Street, Falmouth and Woods Hole; perfect for a day-trip to the Cape.
Quaker Rd. Falmouth, MA
YMCA
ENC students in the traditional undergraduate program can join the YMCA in Quincy granting full access to all fitness areas and programs, gymnasiums, pools, and much more! This partnership also includes use of YMCA fields for flag football and after-hours use of their gyms and pool for other intramural activities. ENC is excited about this collaboration and looks forward to increased opportunities between the college, students and the YMCA.
79 Coddington Street Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 479-8500
Marina Bay
Located just 1.5 miles from campus, Marina Bay is a great spot for shopping and dining with a beautiful view of the Boston skyline. At night the boardwalk that is tucked away in a little community, comes to life with restaurants and shops buzzing with locals and tourists. This place is so popular, you might just run into some celebrities (Tom Brady used to live in the neighborhood).
Located approximately 1.5 miles from ENC
333 Victory Rd.
Quincy, MA 02170
(888) 329-3511
http://www.marinabayboston.com/
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Feature Story: Barefoot Shoes - For Better or Worse?
by: Mike Doyle
Photo Courtesy: www.EMS.com
Barefoot Shoes?
We were all shocked by the odd look of Vibrams five finger bare foot shoes when they had first hit the market. I am sure I am not the only one who stopped their friends in mid conversation and said "Hey look at those things!" Ever since Abebe Bikila won the gold in the 1960 Summer Olympics bare foot, there has been an ever growing interest in a more natural way of running. Since then, there have been multiple studies showing barefoot running is healthier for your legs, back, feet and balance. But there has been one problem that has consistently prevented the mainstream from stepping into this unknown natural state of running... fear of touching the hard brutal earth with their bare skin.
You have probably pointed and laughed as some long haired hippy, in their mid twenties pranced by you with a big smile and a pair of these funny looking shoes but wondered in the back of you mind "could those really be better?" The answer is Yes.
As what is now considered barefoot running peeks its head into the mainstream we are now given multiple options when it comes to how funny and foreign these shoes will look. Brand names such as Merrell, New Balance, Brooks, and Saucony have all invested interest in creating a pleasant barefoot experience. These brands have chosen the more traditional look and haven't yet crossed over to the individual toe pockets, but yet still provide the full minimalist experience. Its recommended that while starting out you run only 10-20% of your regular workout as your new feet and leg muscles will be working much harder re-building a healthier body. I personally went with the New Balance Minimus and use them for trail running on a weekly basis and occasionally I wear them hiking . I have enjoyed the change and could instantly feel new muscles being born in my feet. I love the natural feel and find myself running longer and harder.
Feature Story: Everything you need right at your wrist.
by: Alex Foran
Whether you’re exercising or just walking around town this wrist wallet is a great way to carry some of your necessities without having to strap on a backpack or purse. I personally despise purses and often times I find that I do not need much ore than my ID, cash, credit card, and a key to go out. This wallet’s design is quite simple, all you have to do is place your belongings within the pouch and seal the Velcro enclosures, then put the elastic band around your wrist (ankle, or elsewhere depending on comfort). The wallet is water-resistant and the wallet’s softness and stretchy elastic band ensures that it will conform to your wrist. Men or women, due to its black color, can use this wallet and if you’re out at night the reflective printing is a nice safety feature.
I bought this product at REI for about $6.00 after searching for a slim wallet that would be unobtrusive for either walking around or working out. After checking out its specs I thought it would serve my purposes. I’ve had this product for about 6 months and I have used this wallet in various situations. Whenever I bike rode I would easily slip the wallet onto my arm and be able to just go out and ride as opposed to trying to find athletic gear with pockets or taking a bag. Why should I bring a bag/purse when I don’t want something weighing me down or have enough goods to justify taking one? Sometimes I’d use the wallet for excursions into Boston when I did not want to be hassled bringing more things than I need, especially when it’s hot out. It’s especially nice to know that all of your most important personal items are on you and not in a bag that you might forget or have stolen somewhere. It’s really annoying when you have a bag on you and you’re trying to find something important and it takes minutes to get to your wallet, too. The wallet, which has worked well for me, does come with a few downsides. Some people might worry about the Velcro enclosure of the item, I personally do not, but I make sure the the Velcro enclosure is pointed up toward my arm as opposed to facing the ground when I put it on. Another issue people may experience is that the wallet is not exceptionally breathable, yet this has not been a major issue for me, if my arm gets uncomfortable I simply swap the wallet onto my other arm. This wallet is perfect for casual users who enjoy physical activity or simply want an easy way to carry their minimal personal items without having to resort to a clunky bag.
Product Courtesy: REI.com
Photo Courtesy: www.rei.com
Feature Story: Stay Warm
by: Mike Doyle
Photo Courtesy: www.esm.com
As the fall continues to let out it’s last few breaths of warm air, and the cold New England winter begins to rear its ugly head you may be wondering how your going to stay warm this winter.
It’s impossible to get from the dorm room to class without going outside and lets face it no one wants to miss class or a homework assignment because they are sick. The reality is you need a reliable winter coat that will keep you warm. If this is your first winter here, or if you were one of those guys who tried to get away with wearing an ENC hoodie and flip flops to all of your classes, here are some helpful pointers for a great winter coat.
If you want the absolute warmest coat typically you will want to get a down parka. They are longer than your average mid-length coat and should cover 3/4’s of your body ending just below the knees. Down (goose feathers) has the greatest weight to warmth ratio and is one of the best insulators for a coat. However it does not work well if it gets wet so if you are planning on braving the elements this winter, you will want to make sure your coat has a waterproof exterior. With down covering 3/4s of your body, parkas will keep you nice and toasty but will not offer a lot of mobility. If you spend a lot of time in the car don’t be surprised if you catch yourself reaching for the a/c.
If the parka is a little to much for you, there are plenty of other options that will keep you nice and warm. If your planning on participating in some outdoor sports this winter here are a few features you wont want to be with out. For most sports you will probably want a coat that is light and not weighing you down with oversized bulk. Synthetic downs such as Prima Loft have done an excellent job of maintaining superb insulating properties with out all the bulkiness. It can be exhausting if your coat is doubling your size causing you to look like the michelin man while fumbling your way down the mountain. With the lightness of a synthetic you’ll be shredding through powder with ease . Don’t be fooled despite its light weight, synthetic down will keep you super warm. If you are planing on being active make sure your coat has pit zips ( to release heat from the warmest part of your body with out exposing you chest to the frigid air and chance catching a cold) and a snow skirt ( which will prevent snow from entering the inside of the coat).
If you’re looking to save some money, a 3 in 1 coat will be the most versatile investment. Simply put, a 3 in 1 is able to offer more for less. Typical 3 in 1 coats will come with a water proof shell and some sort of zip-in insulator for the same price as a winter coat. So essentially you have three seasons taken care of with one purchase. The outer shell can function alone as a great rain coat to keep you dry on the warmer wet days. The insulator is a perfect piece to any college students wardrobe because they are typically fleece lined which will keep you warm on a spring day and comfortable in the classroom. When you combine both the shell and the zip-in liner you get an excellent winter coat for a great price.
Stay warm this winter!
The Beach!
Where to go!
City Running Tours
The running craze that is sweeping America is soon to be in Boston this month. The 10 city tour starts in Austin, Texas and ends in Washington, DC. The second stop on this exciting, break-taking tour is Boston. Yep, Beantown is coming soon April, 7-8th. To find out more, go to http://cityrunningtours.com/index.html .
Sign-up for a tour: http://www.cityrunningtours.com
According to recent studies, many college students are skipping exercise. In fact, 24% of young men on campuses have decrease in physical activity. (The American Journal of Preventive Medicine). Team sports are probably directly responsible for this as once a student goes to college, those pretty much stop. Now we see the value in collegiate intramural sports. Here at ENC, there are many intramural sports going on. It’s spring now, that means men’s and women’s indoor soccer have already kicked-off.
Intramural sports once a student is in college was once thought of as an afterthought. However, studies like this one have proved that organized sports even in college are critical to improving one’s health and continuing to live a healthy lifestyle. Also part of the mix is giving students access to a fitness center which will also help them form good habits for decreasing their physical activity.
Courtesy: http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/
College Student Exercise
