Ten Hills is considered a tight-knit, densely built neighborhood. As its name suggests, the landscape of Ten Hills does contain elevated land. There aren’t 10 hills, but there is one hill that crests at the intersection of Putnam and Temple Roads. This topographically unique neighborhood is triangular in shape and comprises approximately 50 acres of single-family homes and condominiums, as well as a few businesses. Much of the northern section of the community is picturesque, facing the banks of the Mystic River.
Home designs in Ten Hills are diverse and include Cape Code, Modern Dutch Colonial, Antique Colonial, Tudor, and Victorian. The area comprises the 02145 zip code area and is bounded by the Mystic River to the north, McGrath Highway to the east, and Interstate 93 to the southwest.
Of the many appealing aspects of Ten Hills is the Bay Boathouse, which was named after a boat built by the state’s first governor, John Winthrop. (The city itself was named after his 600-acre, 1600s farm known as Ten Hills Farm). Today, the boathouse – located on the Mystic River at 32 Shore Drive – is owned by the Massachusetts District Commission and leased to the Middlesex County Boys and Girls Clubs. In the summertime, visitors can enjoy Ten Hill’s natural beauty by renting paddleboats and canoes at the boathouse for use on the Mystic River. The area also offers scenic hiking opportunities.
Grimmons Park is also located in Ten Hills. This small playground is on Governor Winthrop Road. Opened in 1984, the park is on a site that once contained Grimmons Elementary School. The school was built in 1930, but closed down in 1980 for lack of enrollment. In 2009, the park underwent a major renovation with funds from a grant designated for improvement of parks in the city of Somerville.