Pine Island is a small island located in the Charles River, within the Cutler Park Reservation in Needham. It is a popular destination for kayakers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers. The island is accessible by boat from the Cutler Park boat launch, which is open from April to October. The island is also a historical site, as it was once used as a fishing camp by Native Americans and later as a summer retreat by Bostonians.

Cutler Park Reservation is a 600-acre park located in Needham. It is the largest freshwater marsh on the middle Charles River. The park features eskers, or riverbeds formed inside a glacier, drumlins, and long hills formed by glaciers, and offers recreational activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, and birdwatching. The park features a 1.5-mile loop trail that circles Kendrick Pond, a boardwalk that crosses the marsh, and a picnic area with tables and grills. Cutler Park Reservation is open year-round from dawn to dusk, and admission is free.