Earlier this year, I received a message from a reader looking for trails with boardwalks. While perusing the Get Outdoors section of NSRWA’s website, she found herself wondering which among the 200 properties listed in the hiking category might fit the bill.
Boardwalks are appealing for a number of reasons. They provide pedestrian access to marshes, freshwater wetlands, swamps, and other lowland areas, enabling us to experience these spots without harming their resident plants and animals. They offer a refreshing change of perspective – helping us to see what otherwise we might miss. They also keep our feet dry, and make the natural world more accessible to wheelchair and stroller users. And they’re just fun to explore! I’ve noticed that kids especially enjoy boardwalks.
Below you’ll find a list with just some of the local nature preserves with boardwalks. I hope you’ll check them out. I also encourage you to follow NSRWA’s “365 Nature Places to Know,” our Explore South Shore program for 2024. Every weekend, we highlight two of the region’s best walking places on Facebook and Instagram. Not on social media? We’ve included all the locations on our website as well!
John Little Conservation Area, Marshfield
This 75-acre property features a 1.5-mile trail through pasture, forest, and salt marsh, with old stone walls and cart paths offering glimpses of its agricultural past. At the end, a long, elevated boardwalk extends across the marsh to the North River. Limited on-site parking at 905 Union Street. More boardwalks nearby at Cornhill Woodland, down the road between 1087 and 1147 Union Street.
Willow Brook Farm Preserve, Pembroke
Located at the confluence of Pudding and Herring Brooks, this 167-acre Wildlands Trust propertyfeatures 3 miles of walking trails through uplands and wetlands, with several sections of boardwalk. Limited on-site parking at 99 Barker Street. For more boardwalks, also check out the Wildlands Trust’s Brockton Audubon preserve.
Pratt Farm, Marshfield
Enjoy views of both the South River and Zenas Brook at this 34-acre property near the town center. Its half-mile of trails features bridges and small sections of boardwalk. Limited on-site parking at 85 Willow Street.
Cato’s Ridge, Plympton
Treat yourself to a walk in this 105-acre property! The 600-foot boardwalk along Jones River Brook is just one of many highlights along the 2-mile network of woodland trails. Small on-site parking lot at 81 Main Street. For more boardwalks, visit Two Brooks Preserve nearby.
Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary, Marshfield
Boardwalks abound at this 578-acre Mass Audubon property. While exploring the 3.5 miles of trails, you’ll experience a variety of habitats, including grasslands, red cedar swamp, and upland forest. Don’t miss the River Loop, with its extraordinary views of the Green Harbor River. Limited on-site parking at the end of Winslow Cemetery Road. Also check out Audubon’s North River Wildlife Sanctuary, across town at 2000 Main Street.
Norris Reservation, Norwell
Extensive boardwalks are also a feature along the 2.4 miles of trails at this 129-acre Trustees property. In particular, check out the Gordon Pond Trail, which features close-up views of Second Herring Brook. Limited on-site parking on Dover Street, across from the Norwell Post Office. For more, stop by Miller Woods, just around the corner on Forest Street, or consider the middle section of the Norwell Pathway, between the Middle School and Donovan Field.
Colby Phillips Trails, Hanover
Entering from Whiting Street, this property’s trail network actually begins with a boardwalk! Continue for 3 miles on trails through woods and wetlands through this diverse and inviting 147-acre property on Cushing Brook. Park at Hanover Middle School, then cross Whiting Street to the well-marked trailhead. Also check out the boardwalks along the Hanover Senior Center trails at 665 Center Street.
Lansing Bennett Forest, Duxbury
This sprawling property on Phillips Brook features 2.8 miles of intersecting trails through forest and red maple swamp, with occasional boardwalks. Don’t miss the blue trail loop, where you’ll find remnants of Howlands Mill and an old trout hatchery. Limited roadside parking along Union Bridge Road and Franklin Street.
Smith-Nawazelski Conservation Area, Hanson
A big highlight of this large expanse of woods and wetlands is all the way to the rear of the 101-acre property, where a rustic boardwalk crosses Poor Meadow Brook. It’s worth the walk! Limited on-site parking at 482 Elm Street. In Hanson, also enjoy the new boardwalks on the Bonney Hill Trail, accessible from Pierce Road.
Great Pond Trail, Weymouth
This Weymouth trail extends for 1 quiet mile through the woods and along the shore of Great Pond, with beautiful water views. There are trailheads with ample parking at both Gifford Playground and at Negus Park. The boardwalk is on the Gifford side. Please note that dogs are prohibited from this property, in order to protect the town’s public water supply.
Hathaway Preserve, Kingston
This 77-acre property on Spring Brook and the Jones River offers 2 miles of trails, four bridges and a boardwalk. The entrance is on the northern side of Wapping Road (Route 106) along a line of cedar trees just north and west of the cranberry bogs. Follow the dirt road over the hill and then look for the parking area. Another spot with a boardwalk nearby is the Cranberry Watershed Preserve, at 54 Lake Street.
by Kezia Bacon
November 2024
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 27+ years of Kezia’s Nature columns there. For more information about the Explore South Shore 2024 Challenge, visit https://www.nsrwa.org/get-outdoors/2024-explore-south-shore/
