Town Profile
The Town of Wayland, west of Boston in Middlesex County, was originally settled in 1673 as part of the Sudbury plantation. The early settlers' economy was based on agriculture although some industries, such as grist and saw milling, grew from the available water power supply. The town is now an affluent suburban community within easy commuting distance of the city and retains no indications of its early industrial history.
Wayland was incorporated in 1780 but received its present name much later. The town was named after Francis Wayland, a preacher and president of Brown University, who established the first free library in Massachusetts, in Wayland, in 1848. It is one of the home communities of those executives who manage and direct companies in the high-tech industrial belt which occupies a good deal of the territory on and between Route 128 and Route 495, as well as of those who commute to the major Boston business and commercial centers. The town is praised by residents for its rural elegance and country charm and for its location, which makes all of the Boston area's cultural and recreational opportunities available.
The school system is also a source of pride to the community, which feels that Wayland's school population receives one of the best educations the state has to offer. In modern times, Wayland has spent considerable time and effort establishing and protecting quiet, handsome neighborhoods of spacious homes.
Townspeople have funded the purchase of property to maintain open space and have been aided in retaining a rural character for the town by the establishment of a national wildlife preserve. In addition, a portion of scenic Lake Cochituate lies within Wayland. The town maintains a municipal beach on the lake.
Geography
Eastern Massachusetts, bordered by Sudbury and Framingham on the west, Natick on the south, Concord and Lincoln on the north, and Weston on the east. The Sudbury River, Snake Brook, and part of Lake Cochituate are located in Wayland. Wayland is 17 miles west of Boston; 26 miles east of Worcester; 50 miles north of Providence, Rhode Island; and 203 miles from New York City.
- Total Area: 15.91 sq. miles
- Land Area: 15.24 sq. miles
- Population: 11,874
- Density: 779 per sq. mile
Government
Municipal Offices Main Number: (508) 358-7701
Form of Government; Board of Selectmen, Executive Secretary, Open Town Meeting. Incorporated as a town in 1835.
Museums
- Wayland Historical Society
12 Cochituate Road
(508) 358-7959
Transportation and Access
Wayland is situated in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air, and highway facilities. State Route 128 and Interstate Route 495 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.
Major Highways
Principal highways are State Route 27; cross-state U.S. Route 20; and the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate Route 90), which passes along the southern border with Natick.
Rail
Commuter rail service to North Station, Boston, is available from neighboring Weston. Travel time from Kendal Green: 28-29 min.; 100 MBTA parking spaces. Freight rail service is available from the Springfield Terminal Railway. Contact number: (508) 663-1073
Bus
Wayland is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Cavalier Coach Corp. provides commuter service to 4 locations in Boston. Big W Transportation offers service to Boston.
Other
Minute Man Airport, a Reliever (RL) facility located in Stow, is easily accessible. It has a 1,600'x 50' gravel runway and a 2,743'x 50' asphalt runway. Instrument approaches available: Non-precision.
