Home › Massachusetts › Malden › Trafton Park
Trafton Park
4.1 ★★★★☆ 157 Google reviews · Running trail in Malden, Massachusetts · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Trafton Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Climbing, swings and baseball courts at a grassy space with a dog area and picnic tables.
What runners say about Trafton Park
“It's close, it is clean, there is a dog run and there are tennis courts and a basketball net in addition to the ball field and the playground.”
Trafton is a nice little dog park in the middle of the neighborhood, and you can regularly find a couple of people with their dogs out playing there. The main surface is gravel, but there is also a big rocky hill off to the side that the dogs love running around on (there is a side path to the top for the humans).
I like Trafton Park. It's close, it is clean, there is a dog run and there are tennis courts and a basketball net in addition to the ball field and the playground. Good for kids, as the playground is enclosed and has a variety of age-appropriate things for kids from 2-12 to play on.
It's got a big green space and nice park for kids. My kids lived it. No fountain water or running water but there is an out house, it was not too bad of condition when I went.
Nice little park that isn't generally too busy. Has some trails and rock formations, but not much else. Would be really nice if there was a water fountain for thirsty dogs.
Trail conditions & character
“Trafton is a nice little dog park in the middle of the neighborhood, and you can regularly find a couple of people with their dogs out playing there.”
“The main surface is gravel, but there is also a big rocky hill off to the side that the dogs love running around on (there is a side path to the top for the humans).”
“Would be really nice if there was a water fountain for thirsty dogs.”
Plan your run at Trafton Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadwater — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitecityofmalden.org
- Phone(781) 397-7168
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–9 PM |
Running trails near Malden
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Pine Banks Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 882 reviews
Public park offering wooded walking trails, sporting fields, a pond, picnic areas & a playground.
Waitts Mount Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 78 reviews
Relaxed refuge featuring basketball courts and playgrounds for kids, plus a stone climber and a hiking trail.
Northern strand Community Trail
5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews
Cross Fells Trail (end)
4 ★★★★☆ 2 reviews