Tufts Blogs

Hey Y’all, 

I think one of the things I am most grateful for is having lived in New England my whole life and getting to experience the four seasons. Each season has something new to offer; whether it be the fresh foliage in the spring, the warm heat of summer, the changing leaves of autumn, or the snow and cool winds of winter. 

What I'm perhaps even more grateful for though, is getting to experience all four seasons at Tufts on Prez Lawn, a large grassy hill at the center of campus behind Tufts' president's house, which is where it gets its name. And if I'm being honest, it's one of my favorite spots on campus. I want to walk you through Prez Lawn in each season; what you can expect to see and, hopefully, help you understand why this place feels so special to me.

In the Summer, Prez Lawn is the perfect spot to throw down a towel, lay down, and catch some nice rays of the sun. There are plenty of trees here that provide shade and make it a great spot to set up a hammock. There's also a nice breeze that comes through, so even the peak temperatures of summer don't feel too unbearable. And with a number of Adirondack chairs scattered around, it's also a great place to relax and hang out with friends, whether it's early in the morning or late at night.

When the Fall comes around, the trees on Prez Lawn begin to change colors and it is an absolutely beautiful sight. The majority of them turn a deep red, so it blends perfectly with the brick buildings on campus. And nothing is more fun than gathering a bunch of leaves to lay down in as you enjoy the cool autumn breeze.

Winter is when the temperatures begin to drop and snow starts to settle. With all of the fresh powder on Prez Lawn, it's a great place to build a snowman, gather in an igloo, or start a snowball fight with friends. The best part, though, is that Prez Lawn is pretty steep, making it the perfect spot for skiing, sledding, and even snowboarding. To help keep everyone safe, the university places hay bales at the base of the trees and along the fences, providing a softer impact if someone happens to steer into one.

This past winter was especially fun because the snow days we got from the blizzards gave my friends and me the perfect opportunity to head outside and enjoy the snow together.

And once all of the snow has melted away, it's officially spring. It's nice to see everyone out on Prez Lawn with blankets tossing around Frisbees and footballs, and playing games of hacky sack. I remember during my first year at Tufts, it felt like the entire school gathered on Prez Lawn to watch it, and it was such a memorable experience.

All in all, Prez Lawn is a joyous spot to enjoy campus year round. It’s a meeting spot for friend groups on campus, a place to have a picnic, play lawn games, and a nice space to destress from all the assignments and worries year round.

Photo Credit - Shriyaa Srihari '27, Emily Bartolone '27, Catie Samaan '27, & Dan Godino '27