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Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation AreaMinutes Away. Worlds Apart.
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Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Island Facts: Green Island
 

This shrub covered rocky outcropping serves as a nesting site for gulls and cormorants.

 

General Information
This island of Boston Harbor Islands national park area is managed by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Agency Designation:  Harbor Islands Reservation
Current Use:  Park purposes
Harbor Location: Outer Harbor
Acreage:  17 (upland acres: 2.58; intertidal acres: 14.71)
Highest elevation: 45 feet
Longitude:  42° 21' 08.1" North
Latitude:  70° 53' 30.1" West
Miles from Long Wharf:   9.5

 
Visitor Facilities & Services
The Graves is not open to private boaters. There is no docking. Boaters must anchor off shore.
Hours:
 Access discouraged
Piers/Docks:
 No
Visitor season:
 0
Boat slips:
 0
Visitor staff:
 No
Moorings:
 0
Guided tours:
 No
Park boats:
 None
Lifeguards:
 No
Car access:
 No
Flush toilets:
 No
Campsites:
 0 (capacity ea: 0)
Composting toilets:
 No
Group campsites:
 0 (capacity ea: 0)
Picnic areas:
 No
Camping capacity:
 0
Refreshments:
 No
Cooking grills:
 0
Drinking water:
 No
Walking trails:

No

Visitor Cautions:  Birds are aggressive during nesting season: visitation is discouraged at that time.

 
Natural History Overview
Vegetation
Sumac and other salt-tolerant herbaceous plants.

Wildlife
Survey in progress.

Geology
A rocky outcrop that rises nearly 45 feet in elevation.

Water Features
No constructed water features.

Views and Vistas
This nearly barren island is visible from most points in the outer harbor. From the island there are views to surrounding outer harbor islands and inner harbor islands in the distance.
 
Structures
Buildings
  • None
Fortifications
  • None
Other Structures
  • None 
Comments
In the early 1600s, the island was named for Joseph Green, a well-known merchant, who owned the island during Colonial times.
 

Alternate Names
Island names have changed, depending on ownership and the customs of the times. What's in a Name? lists alternate names for park islands (and a few harbor islands not within the park). Following is a known alternate name for Green Island:

  • North Brewster Island
Brewster Islands Map
Map of the Brewsters
Open PDF of Calf, Green, Middle and Outer Brewster, and Little Calf Islands and Shag Rocks.
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CCC Workers  

Did You Know?
The Civilian Conservation Corps planted ornamental trees and shrubbery throughout Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area during the 1930s. In particular, structures of Gallops Island are lined with privet hedges, mock orange, snowberry, forsythia and coniferous trees.
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Last Updated: December 19, 2008 at 18:04 EST