UMass Boston Harborwalk Grace Trail®

A Reflective Walk Along the Water’s Edge—Rooted in Campus Well-Being

Where the UMass Boston campus meets the sea, the Harborwalk Grace Trail® invites students, faculty, and community members to pause, reflect, and reconnect. This Custom Grace Trail was created by the UMass Boston community in collaboration with Harbor Point residents to offer a space for wellness, clarity, and connection.

The trail winds along the edge of UMass Boston’s campus beside the JFK Presidential Library, offering breathtaking views of the harbor, skyline, and islands. But more than just a beautiful walk, this Grace Trail was created to support the well-being of students, faculty, and staff—offering a restorative space where learning and reflection go hand in hand.

Designed as a tool for mindfulness, connection, and resilience, the trail complements UMass Boston’s commitment to academic success, mental health, and community care.

Guided by Reflection and Community Voices

QR-coded audio reflections from UMass professors and the Executive Director of the JFK Library accompany the walk, deepening the experience and helping guide participants through the five powerful Grace Trail questions.

What if you asked yourself these questions in a place like this?
Your answers might surprise you.

An Invitation to Reset, Breathe, and Move Forward

Whether you are a student seeking a moment of calm between classes, a faculty member looking for fresh perspective, or a visitor simply taking in the view, this trail offers a meaningful invitation to breathe, reset, and explore life’s twists and turns.

Interested in Creating a Trail on Your Campus?

The UMass Boston Harborwalk Grace Trail® has been installed under a license agreement from Grace Trail Inc.

Fill out our quick form and we will be in touch.

100 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125

Grace Trail Gallery

“At UMass Boston, health, wellness, and well-being are not just values—they are a core part of our culture and a pillar of daily life on our beautiful campus. Grace Trail allows us to move beyond simply talking about mental health and self-care; it gives our students, faculty, and community members a way to walk the talk. This trail offers both literal and symbolic steps toward resilience, gratitude, and reflection—powerful contributions to the world of mindfulness and campus wellness. We are proud to support this holistic, full-spectrum approach, and we extend our deepest gratitude to Anne for bringing Grace Trail to UMass Boston.”
Marcelo Suárez-Orozco
Chancellor, University of Massachusetts Boston
“Why do I walk? I walk because it clears my mind, gives me space to check in with myself, and reminds me that better things are always coming. Grace Trail is a powerful tool for self-reflection, and it supports the emotional well-being of everyone on our campus—from students to staff.”
Karen Ferrer-Muñiz
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Massachusetts Boston
“As a nurse, I started walking the Grace Trail during breaks with my coworkers, and now it’s something we look forward to. Being by the harbor, getting fresh air, and having those simple reflection questions it’s the perfect way to reset, reflect, and recharge together during an otherwise crazy day.”
Audra
Local Nurse & Grace Trail Walker
“Walking the Grace Trail gave me a moment of peace in the middle of a chaotic semester. I didn’t expect to be so affected, but the questions made me slow down and really think about what I needed and what I was holding onto. As a college student juggling so much, it was powerful to have a space like this on campus. I know I’m not the only one who needed it.”
UMass Boston Student (Anonymous)
“I walk for clarity—sometimes by myself, sometimes with friends. Grace Trail helps me get out of my head and really explore what’s going on, both internally and in the world around me. It’s become a space to breathe, reflect, and reset.”
Olivia Reed
Student, University of Massachusetts Boston
“The trail’s in such a beautiful spot on campus it gave me a chance to check in with myself without any pressure. Just walking and thinking helped more than I expected.”
UMass Boston Student (Anonymous)
“I live nearby and started walking the Grace Trail when life felt uncertain. It’s become part of my weekly routine. The views are beautiful, but it’s the questions that keep bringing me back they’ve helped me find peace in moments I didn’t think I could.”
Local Grace Trail Walker
“I didn’t know a few quiet questions could shift the way I felt about my entire week. Grace Trail turned a walk between classes into a moment of clarity. It reminded me I’m more than my deadlines.”
UMass Boston Student (Anonymous)