Melrose, Massachusetts, located in Middlesex County, is a charming city with picturesque, tree-lined streets. Seven miles north of Boston, it was originally called "Ponde Fielde" when it was settled in the middle of the eighteenth century. The name was in honor of the area's abundance of ponds and streams. Since that time, it's maintained a delicate balance between rural peace and openness and urban living advantages.
Early Victorian homes that date back to the late 1800s can be found throughout the city, which is predominantly residential. Beyond that, though, Melrose has its own carefully cultivated network of health, education, employment, and entertainment resources. Not only does the city have a thriving business community, it also claims an excellent school system and well-maintained local hospital.
One of the biggest draws in Melrose is the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, now 83 years old. Melrose also has a terrific sampling of open space and recreation facilities. One of these, Ell Pond, sits at the center of the city and offers activities for both the young and old. From a large soccer complex to a picturesque gazebo, Ell Pond is often the site for animated city gatherings.
Melrose is encircled by what the city refers to as its "green belt," which includes the Middlesex Fells Reservation. The Fells Reservation includes 2500 acres of natural and historic resources and is a great site for community hikes and nature-oriented events. The green belt provides a natural buffer between Melrose and surrounding communities, sheltering it so that the city peaceably maintains its small-town-with-advantages appeal.
