We were recently asked by a reader who is learning how to drive about the best places in Wellesley to practice this important skill.
Our initial thoughts went back to where we taught our kids to drive, largely at the Wellesley High School parking lot on weekends or other off-hours, as well as at the MassBay parking lot on Oakland Street, also on weekends. We also tried to learn about where our kids’ driving school did its testing, and practiced on some of those streets.
But we know our world is limited, so reached out to others, including the Wellesley Police Department and a local driving school. We haven’t heard back from either yet, but will update this post if we do. We know this is one of those subjects where people might get nervous about suggesting anything due to liability concerns, so might be inclined to keep mum.
The richest source for ideas came from readers on our Facebook page, so here’s a summary of their suggestions:
- The town-owned train station parking lots on Linden Street (Tailby Lot) and at Wellesley Farms (Squirrel Road). These lots are nearly empty on weekends, and during much of the pandemic, have been thinly populated even on weekdays.
- Area cemeteries, such as Woodlawn off of Brook Street. “Lots of intersections and sometimes narrow roads to practice getting a sense for the cars size relative to the edge of the road,” wrote one advocate. Though of course as soon as we started asking about this topic, a new driver plowed into some headstones at a Melrose cemetery.
- MassBay Community College parking lot on Oakland Street. Includes lots of parking space lines to practice parking. Babson’s got some big lots, too, but we didn’t tell you to go there.
- Wellesley High School or Weston High School/Middle School parking lots during off-hours.
- Elm Bank Reservation on the South Natick/Wellesley line on Rte. 16. I find Elm Bank to be dicey for new drivers since the road is relatively narrow, and there are lots of walkers, dogs, runners, cyclists there depending on when you go. One reader warned about the potholes here, too. Though the parking lots at the top can be good for new drivers during off-hours, and there’s no pressure to go fast here.
- While some suggest practicing at local office parks, others warn to avoid this private property.
Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
I taught my four kids to drive in three stages: 1) the St. James parking lot (now the pool) for the earliest basics of braking and steering; 2) the Generals neighborhood off Weston Road, for the wide streets; and 3) when they were ready, we went down Route 16 all the way to Milford, then back again. Lots of varied experiences but nothing over 30 mph and you could stop anywhere along the way.
Of course, make certain that your child has their learner’s permit. Do NOT attempt to teach your child to drive in one of those parking lots (Mass Bay or the high school) if they do NOT yet have their learner’s permit.
Make certain they stay under control and watch out for parents who are teaching young children how to ride a bicycle in the same lot.
Once they have mastered basic control (and use the parking spaces to give them a sense of size relative to your car), then I took them to the streets in the Poets’ section of town From Tennyson to Damien. Enjoy the process.
Taught the kids to ride a bike (not a car) at the Wellesley Farms parking lot!