During February vacation when kids are flocking to the hills, we look back at least 80 years to see young ones enjoying the same winter entertainment. Though the equipment may look a little different, sledding has always been a pastime for kids in New England, when the weather cooperates. Snow on the ground means a lot more fun for everyone (right?) - Leanne Burden Seidel and Lisa Tuite
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Boston Globe Archive
January 25, 1930: Youngsters on the Boston Common welcomed the announcement from the Boston Park Department that sliding conditions were good on the toboggan slide situated near the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. The Common slide was a double affair, two wooden runways extended from the hill overlooking the ball fields down toward Charles St. The slides were well constructed and long enough to give sufficient momentum to carry sleds or toboggans almost to the Charles St. gates of the Common.
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Boston Globe Archive
February 6, 1930: Winter provided splendid coasting on Boston Common and hundreds of youngsters turned out for sliding on the historic grounds. These coasters waited their turn for a slide on the toboggan chute.
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Boston Globe Archive
December 29, 1935: Christmas sleds were out in force as youngsters enjoyed coasting on the hills of Boston Common.
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Boston Globe Archive
December 8, 1938: A group of enthusiastic sledders on Fenwood Road in Roxbury.
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Charles Dixon/Globe Staff
December 31, 1939: John Marazzi pulled his little sister, Gloria, 3, down Greenville St. in Somerville.
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Boston Globe Archive
December 9, 1940: The start of a big sled race on Sewall St. in Somerville.
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Danny Goshtigian/Globe Staff
January 29, 1941: A fierce snow battle in progress at the Public Garden in Boston during a break in sledding.
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Gilbert E. Friedberg/ Globe Staff
November 28, 1959: Judy Kirstead, 4, started down a snow-covered Malden hill on a sled with the help of a healthy shove from Paul Farrel, 5 (behind) and her sister, Mary Ann Kirstead, 6 (right). A quick-hitting and fast-leaving storm gave Greater Boston just enough snow to be labeled its first snow storm of the season.
