Webster Street, Needham, was much greener today than the last time I came this way.
Cook's Bridge, named for Captain Robert Cook, a prominent citizen of Needham from 1711 to 1756, connects Elliot Street, Newton, to Central Avenue, Needham.
This waterfall is formed by a dam at the at the former Newton Mills complex (now an office park). The patio and adjacent part of the building were home for many years to the Mill Falls Restaurant.
Here is another view of the fall.
The centerpiece of Hemlock Gorge is Echo Bridge; built by the Boston Water Board in 1876-77, it carries an old aqueduct across the Charles River. The wooden platform at the base of the arch allows visitors to experience the echo that gives the bridge its name.
Here's another view of Echo Bridge from just upstream on the Needham side.
Numerous trails weave through the woods on the Needham side of the gorge.
Echo Bridge is topped by a promenade open to pedestrians. The village of Newton Upper Falls looms at the far end.
Downstream from Echo Bridge, the river flows toward Boylston Street (Route 9) and the Horseshoe Dam.
In this upstream view from the Echo Bridge promenade, the former Newton Mills complex and the Newton and Needham radio towers stand out.
From the Newton side of the promenade a staircase descends to Ellis Street.
This view is from the Ellis Street stairs looking toward Needham. The path across the street leads to the echo platform.