We’re quite fortunate here on the South Shore, when it comes to open space. Conservation land, wildlife sanctuaries, and nature preserves abound. There are more than 200 different trails listed in NSRWA’s online Get Outdoors database, and all of them are open to the public!
Land acquisition is where it begins, but another key step is determining how the property will be managed. Will it be kept natural, and maintained as wildlife habitat? Will it be modified for public use, with trails, signage, and a parking area? Will it be renovated or restored, such as transforming a former-industrial property into a park? No matter what, the land requires some degree of looking-after.
Our local towns do so much great work on behalf of their open space. In addition to conserving the land itself, they make it more accessible to the public, not only by creating trails, but also producing maps, brochures, and an array of online resources. A few noteworthy examples include: Kingston Conservation’s StoryMap, Norwell’s interactive trail map, and Hingham’s Parklands for the Public. But this month I’d like to direct your attention to Hanson: a little town that has made big strides in promoting its open space!
One day last year, I was surprised and delighted to find a bundle of 11 glossy brochures atop my NSRWA desk. Each one contained color photographs, a trail map, and access information for a different conservation property in Hanson. What a great idea! While I was familiar with the locations, the brochures made me want to revisit them all right away. I had to find out: How did these brochures come to be?
Long story short: hoping to promote itself as a destination, the Town of Hanson knew that its 1900+ acres of open space would be a prime attraction. Town Planner Tony DeFrias secured a small grant from the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and then enlisted the help of Conservation Property Management Coordinator David Mansfield, who had already been collecting and sharing information about the sites. Mansfield brought in Hanson-based Webster Printing to design and produce the brochures, with the Conservation Commission underwriting the remaining costs.
David Mansfield leading a walk at Hanson's Alton Smith Reserve in 2025.
As a result of this team effort, the inviting and informative brochures are now available to the public, for free. You’ll find them at Hanson’s town hall, library, and senior center, and through the Conservation Commission. They’re a welcome complement to NSRWA’s Get Outdoors online database, another handy resource for information about open space. See below for brief descriptions.
Alton J. Smith Reserve & Sleeper Conservation Area: A former cranberry bog now being restored to its natural state, surrounded by woodlands and wetlands. Situated in the watershed of Indian Head Brook/North River, with more than a mile of trails. Ample on-site parking at 864 Indian Head Street, Hanson.
Bonney Hill Trail: A wide 1.1-mile woodland trail that extends along the base of Bonney Hill, past the former Plymouth County Hospital, through a large meadow, to Wampatuck Pond, in the watershed of Indian Head Brook/North River. Limited on-site parking at 252 High Street, Hanson.
Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area: This 2,000-acre state-owned property offers several miles of wide flat walking trails around ponds, marshlands, swamps, and retired cranberry bogs. Situated in the Stump Brook/Taunton River watershed. Ample on-site parking at 382 Pleasant, Street, Hanson.
Hanson Veterans Memorial Town Forest: This quiet, 35-acre woodland on the shores of Wampatuck Pond features 3 footbridges and about a mile of trails. Part of the Indian Head Brook/North River watershed. Park at the Botieri Field at 797 Indian Head Street.
Indian Crossway Conservation Area: A 1-mile trail through the woods to the edge of the Great Cedar Swamp, and onward into the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area. Situated in the Stump Brook/Taunton River watershed. Limited on-site parking toward the end of Crooker Place, on the left.
Philip Clemons Conservation Area:
A 26-acre woodland with a half-mile loop trail plus two streams that flow to Oldham Pond, part of the Herring Brook/North River watershed. Limited roadside parking on Lakeside Road, near Lakeside Terrace. Look for the trailhead and informational kiosk.
Poor Meadow Brook Conservation Area: A 115-acre property in the Shumatuscacant River/Taunton River watershed with a 1-mile loop trail through woods and wetlands. Limited on-site parking at 891 West Washington Street, Hanson.
Rocky Run Conservation Area: Nineteen acres at the confluence of Rocky Run Brook and the Indian Head River, with a mile of forest trails and striking river views. Limited on-site parking beside the State Street Bridge on the Hanover/Hanson town line.
Smith-Nawazelski Conservation Area: Hanson’s largest conservation property, with 2 miles of trails through 101 acres of woods and wetlands, plus views of Poor Meadow Brook, part of the Shumatuscacant River/Taunton River watershed. Limited on-site parking at 482 Elm Street, Hanson.
Webster-Billings Conservation Area: A 62-acre woodland with a trail network and views of Indian Head Brook. Limited roadside parking at the ends of Puritan Avenue, Old Pine Drive, and Williams Way.
If you enjoy the outdoors, be sure to check out NSRWA’s Explore South Shore. Every morning, we highlight one of the region’s best nature places on Facebook and Instagram. Not on social media? We’ve listed all the locations on our website as well!
by Kezia Bacon
February 2026
Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. You will also find thirty years of Kezia’s Nature columns there. For more information about the “That’s My Watershed!” Contest, visit https://www.nsrwa.org/2026-nsrwa-explore-south-shore-thats-my-watershed-contest-rules/
