[1] Its shores, mostly lined with private homes, also host two small parks and a designated swimming area with a bathhouse.

A spring with subterranean sources, Crystal Lake drains into the South Meadow Brook, which joins the Charles River in Newton Upper Falls, from which it flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Boston Harbor.

[1] Thomas Wiswall built a house in 1654 on the southwestern shore of the pond, beside what was then known as the Dedham Trail (now known as Centre Street).

The ice house sat at the western edge of the lake, near the intersection of present-day Centre Street and Norwood Avenue.

[13][14] In 2007, the City of Newton used Community Preservation Act funds to acquire by eminent domain a one-acre parcel at 20 Rogers Street, a property next to the swimming beach and bath house.