Up Aspinwall Hill to Schick Park
Ascending the north slope of Aspinwall Hill, Addington Path offers a direct route to the top, where Schick Park awaits. There is an interesting rhythm to the trip. The climb alternates between a short stack of stairs and an inclined but flat portion, and then back to a few more stairs. The surrounding landscape is an equally varied affair, with portions of the path feeling closed in by their proximity to neighboring buildings, only to have the borders broaden, exposing backyards with trees and shrubby undergrowth. Iron handrails frame both sides of the path. Halfway up, the steepness of the hillside and the challenges inherent in building on this terrain are revealed. Moss and vines engulf sturdy stone retaining walls and foundations. Their age and permanence disclose the determination and effort that went into building on the hillside.

The curving, gently rising roadways that wind up and down Aspinwall Hill were originally designed by F.L. Olmsted. Subsequent designers retained the basic curvy street layout devised by Olmsted. Perhaps they appreciated Olmsted's goals of respecting the contours of the hillside and revealing the landscape from a variety of viewpoints as you passed by in your horse drawn carriage. These very same curvy streets, when traveled by foot, make for a very long and slow ascent of the hill. Addington Road is a giant S, with each half of the S traversing opposite sides of the hill. This is where the value of the path's shortcut shines. Starting at Winthrop Road, near its intersection with Colbourne Crescent and Addington Road, the path takes you up the hill in a mere 294.45 feet. Once at the top, the path deposits you across from the entrance to Schick Park. Gracing the crest of the hill, Schick Park is a lovely pocket park with ball fields, playgrounds, and green open space. The park was dedicated in 1945, and is named after Lotta Bradburn Schick. A plaque lists her many contributions to town life. Besides access to the park, the path provides a practical shortcut for the many foot-traveling residents of the hill. Once at the base of the hill, a short trip down Winthrop Road takes you to Beacon Street near Washington Square, with its transit stops, shops, and restaurants.

The Aspinwall Family Arrives in 1650
Addington is one of seven paths on Aspinwall Hill, and was accepted by the town in 1894. Designed by the Aspinwall Hill Land Co., the roadways, building lots, and paths formed the basic structure for residential development on the hill, which had begun in 1880. Many fine examples of Victorian era architecture still stand in the hill's neighborhoods. The Aspinwall family's local history began in 1650 when Peter Aspinwall purchased land near St. Paul and Aspinwall Avenue. His great-great grandson, Dr. William Aspinwall, bought 87 acres encompassing the hill. When he sold his land in 1880, the Aspinwall Hill Land Co. was formed. Dr. Aspinwall's eldest son, Thomas Aspinwall, a partner in the engineering firm that drew up the plan, had a particular interest in including the paths in the plans. Perhaps we have him to thank for the paths we enjoy today.