Once a military institution, the community of Devens has a growing population contained within some 2,100 acres, 1,700 of which are open spaces. The community is located within the former Fort Devens, and is about 40 miles west of the Boston metropolitan area. The community was created in 1996, after the closing of the fort. The village provides many tourism opportunities, especially for those looking to get away from the city.
As part of the Nashua River Valley, Devens is home to wetland areas and flood plains. Among the water holes located in the Devens area are Mirror Lake, Little Mirror Lake and Robbins Pond. Spots to relax are located all around these sites. Additionally, Mirror Lake has opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming and canoeing. Boats with electric trolling motors are allowed on the lake and boaters have access to the water via a boat ramp.
The community of Devens has several areas for the viewing of wildlife and plants. The Eskers is a set of steep slopes where trees and other vegetation types are visible. Tourists may also visit the Black Spruce Bog, a living jumble of vegetation surrounded by a moat. The boggy open areas of Devens are a prime location for spotting Blanding's turtle, a rare species protect in many states.
The Red Tail Golf Club took its name from the hawks that often fly above the course. The 18-hole course is a par 72 site of more than 7,000 feet of total length. The course offers clinics and a driving range. In 2009, the course was selected as one of the top 50 public golf courses in the country by Golf World Magazine.
The Fort Devens Museum chronicles the history of the base that existed between 1917 and 1996. The museum contains more than 3,000 artifacts and images from the fort's history. These artifacts and images contained in the museum highlight the fort's role as a prisoner of war camp and as a test site for rocket pioneer Dr. Robert Goddard's early creations. The museum is open to tourists several days per week.
