Please note: The Allen CR is private property, not open to the public. Read more about Conservation Restrictions.
The restricted area on the south side of Concord Avenue, consisting of forest, fields and meadows, abuts the Shapiro conservation restriction, and includes a stone wall which is a continuation of a wall protected by that restriction and enlarges and fortifies it. The property is highly visible from the street and contributes to the scenic natural beauty of that part of Concord Avenue. Within the restricted area is an historic boundary marker, pre-dating the incorporation of the Town of Belmont, delineating the original intersection of the towns of Cambridge, Waltham and Watertown. It also contains a greenhouse that had been used for many years by the Belmont Garden Club. These two Conservation Restriction areas have an important relationship to neighboring open space, as they contribute to the ability of the area to sustain wildlife.
The current property owner is Miho International, a non-profit organization that promotes the Japanese Shumei philosophy of cultivating the appreciation of beauty in our lives. A traditional Minka farmhouse was disassembled piece by piece in Japan, shipped here and reassembled in 2023 on the non-restricted area of the property and will be used as a cultural center.
Allen CR
- Location: 580 Concord Avenue
- Date acquired: 2004
- Donated by: Anne Allen
- Acreage: 3.3 acres