Lunchtime Pairings: 15 Nature Walks + Sandwich Shops

The research for this article was a series of delicious adventures! While I’ve become an expert of sorts on local nature trails, I tend not to stray very far from home in pursuit of lunch. When I asked my fellow staffers at NSRWA to share their favorite sandwich spots, they were quick to offer recommendations. Below you’ll find our tips, pairing 15 South Shore walks and sandwich shops.

If you enjoy nature walks, be sure to check out “365 Nature Places to Know,” our Explore South Shore program for 2024. Every morning we feature one of the region’s best nature places on Facebook and Instagram. Every Saturday it’s a public property where you can enjoy a long walk, and every Sunday is a spot for a shorter walk! Not on social media? We’ve listed all the locations on our website as well! 

Hoyt Hall Preserve

With a 1.7-mile loop trail through 123 acres of freshwater wetlands and mature forest, this Wildlands Trust property in Marshfield is a great spot for a walk. Grab a sandwich from Mae’s (563 Ocean Street) and park yourself on the bench overlooking Long Tom Pond, which is part of the Duxbury Back River watershed. Limited on-site parking at 780 Careswell Street. 

Webster’s Wilderness 

With a 2-mile trail network through forests and wetlands along Wharf Creek, a tributary to the Green Harbor River, this 130-acre Marshfield property is a fascinating place to explore. Bring a sandwich from Bungalow Kitchen (1899 Ocean Street, Suite Q) and enjoy it on a trailside bench, or at one of the picnic tables within the Wheeler Recreation Campus, next door. Ample on-site parking at 226 Webster Street.

Morton Park

Plymouth’s largest park features 200 acres of forest, wetlands, and shoreline, plus 6.5 miles of trails and roadways. Look for the picnic area near the main entrance, which offers views of Billington Sea, a headwater to Town Brook. On-site parking areas are open to the public, except in summer when some are restricted to Plymouth residents. Bring a sandwich from Stracco’s, located nearby at 85 Sandwich Street.

Lapham Woods 

This iconic stretch of woodland protects the scenic approach to Duxbury’s Town Hall. Located within the watershed of the Bluefish River, it offers 1.36 miles of recently-renovated trails along both sides of Depot Street. Bring a sandwich from D’Orazio’s Italian Kitchen, nearby at 35 Depot, and eat your lunch on one of the trailside benches. Limited roadside parking on Surplus Street and Prior Farm Road. 

Thaddeus Chandler Sanctuary

Explore the 2.8 miles of intersecting loop trails within this 115-acre Duxbury Conservation property and enjoy views of Pine Brook and Upper Chandler Pond, tributaries to the Jones River. Bring a chair or a blanket and treat yourself to a picnic beside the pond, perhaps with a sandwich from Bongi’s Turkey Roost, around the corner at 414 Kingstown Way. Limited on-site parking at 14 Valley Street.

Herring River Trail

Extending along the former Old Colony Railroad Bed, this 0.4-mile trail offers spectacular views of the Herring River, a tributary to the North River. Grab a sandwich from Lucky Finn, a few steps away at 52 New Driftway. There is a picnic table and a small parking area at the trailhead (32 New Driftway).

Norris Reservation 

This Norwell gem extends across 129 acres, with more than a half mile of North River frontage. There are two miles of trails through the woods and along Second Herring Brook. Grab a sandwich from DKD Market and Bakery (707 Main Street) and find a bench with a view – there are several within this beautiful and varied Trustees property. On-site parking at 18 Dover Street.

 

Jacobs Pond Conservation Area

Jacobs Pond is a headwater to Third Herring Brook, part of the North River watershed. This 189-acre Norwell Conservation property features an extensive trail system, plus kayak launches, a fishing dock, and picnic tables. Treat yourself to a sandwich from Bo Mediterranean Café, around the corner at 400 Washington Street. Ample on-site parking at 81 Jacobs Lane.

 

Silver Lake Sanctuary

Enjoy more than a mile of woodland and wetland trails at this scenic 99-acre Kingston Conservation property within the Jones River watershed. Stop at Cravings Café (150 Summer Street) on the way, and then look for the trailside bench overlooking Silver Lake as your lunch spot. Limited parking at the end of Barse’s Lane.

John Little Conservation Area

Union Street in Marshfield is home to several nature preserves, and any of them would be a great spot for a walk and a sandwich... which you might procure a short distance away at Gunther Tootie’s in Pembroke (254 Church Street). The 75-acre John Little Conservation Area offers 1.5 miles to explore. Look for the picnic table overlooking the North River, at the intersection of the blue and yellow trails. Or enjoy your lunch on the riverfront dock. Limited on-site parking at 905 Union Street.

Alton Smith Reserve

This 103-acre Hanson Conservation property features a network of wide flat trails around a retired cranberry bog, plus access to Indian Head Pond and Pembroke’s JJ Shepherd Memorial Forest – all within the Indian Head River watershed. Stop by A Fork in The Road (7 Union Street, Pembroke) on the way, and enjoy lunch with a view. Follow the unpaved road from 364 Indian Head Street (Route 58) in Hanson to the on-site parking area. 

Nantasket Beach Reservation

Open to the public, this pleasant sandy beach in Hull features a long stretch of Atlantic shoreline, a 1-mile paved/concrete walking path, plus such amenities as showers, restrooms, shade structures, a historic carousel, and a playground. Order a sandwich from Breadbasket Bakery & Café (within walking distance at 307 Nantasket Ave.) and enjoy the breeze and the view. Large parking lots on Nantasket Ave. and Hull Shore Drive.

Wheelwright Park

This 232-acre town-owned property in Cohasset features a mile-long woodland trail, a small pond, and several captivating glacial erratic boulders. Grab a sandwich at The Barrel (50 South Main Street) and enjoy it on one of the many trailside benches, or at the picnic tables near the parking area. On-site parking at 202 North Main Street.

 

Triphammer Pond Conservation Area

There are various places to enjoy the view at this Hingham Conservation property including one with a picnic table. Follow the 1-mile walking loop around the 19-acre pond and look for the two spots where Accord Brook, a tributary to the Weir River, flows through. Bring a sandwich from The Bloomy Rind, a short distance away at 21 Main Street. On-site parking at 21 Triphammer Road.

Center Hill Preserve

This diverse 98-acre property on Cape Cod Bay in Plymouth features a 2.4-mile trail network. Along the way, you’ll experience woods, wetlands, ocean shoreline, and a former cranberry bog. Stop by Gerard Farm in Manomet (499 State Road) for a sandwich and enjoy it at the picnic table near the property entrance. Limited on-site parking at 158 Center Hill Road.

by Kezia Bacon

May 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/

 

 

Places To Ride Bikes with Kids

Do you remember when you learned to ride a bicycle? For many, it’s an important childhood milestone. Those wobbly sprints up and down the drive with an adult steadying the bike ... that simultaneously thrilling and terrifying moment when you realize they’ve let go ... the exhilaration of riding off on your own.

If you have a child in your life, you may have recently relived such experiences -- perhaps from the perspective of the teacher this time, not the student. For some, biking with kids is as simple as pedaling up the road, as some neighborhoods are relatively safe for such activities. But if that’s not your situation, we’re here to offer some alternatives. With paved trails and no automobile traffic, the parks listed below are ideal settings for taking bike rides with children.

 

Also check out “365 Nature Places to Know,” our Explore South Shore program for 2024. Every morning we feature one of the region’s best nature places on Facebook and Instagram. Every Monday it’s a family-friendly spot! Not on social media? We’ve listed all the locations on our website as well! 

Forge Pond Park, Hanover

This 40-acre athletic complex is surrounded by woodland trails. But it also offers a wide, paved, 1-mile path around its perimeter, ideal for walking, wheelchair use, and bicycling -- especially for young families. If you feel like exploring while you’re there, check out the French’s Stream Trail, which leads to the confluence of French’s Stream and the Drinkwater River, both tributaries to the Indian Head and part of the North River watershed. Located at 245 King Street with several on-site parking areas.

Bare Cove Park, Hingham

There’s lots of space to explore within this 484-acre park on the Back River, including 5 miles of paved and woodland trails, along with open fields, marshes and gorgeous views. Large parking lots at the end of Bare Cove Drive and at 226 Beal Street. 

Wompatuck State Park, Hingham and Cohasset

This 3,500-acre state park features 12 miles of paved bike paths, as well as extensive off-road trails. The Doane Street and Leavitt Street entrances, along with the Main Entrance, are best if you’re planning to ride on pavement. Mountain bikers can enjoy one of the longest sections of switch-backed singletrack in the state. Download the detailed trail map to plan your route. The park is situated in two different watersheds. Accord Brook, part of the Weir River watershed, flows through one side, and the Aaron River, part of the Gulf River watershed, flows through the other. On-site parking at all 3 entrances. 

 

Whitney Spur Rail Trail, Cohasset

Another way to explore Wompatuck on two wheels is via the Whitney Spur Rail Trail, which extends for 1.5 miles from the Cohasset MBTA station into the heart of the park. While this trail isn’t paved – instead, it’s well-graded crushed stone – it’s still suitable for most young cyclists. This too is situated within two watersheds. The lower portion of the trail drains to Hingham Bay via a stream called Turkey Hill Run, while the upper portion drains to the Aaron River. Designated free parking at the Cohasset MBTA station, 110 Chief Justice Cushing Highway (Route 3A).

Hanover Branch Rail Trail

Established in 2023, this wide, paved, shady trail follows the former railroad bed eastward for about a half mile so far, with more to come. Cushing Brook flows alongside the trail, and the Drinkwater River passes under it at the old railroad bridge. Want to go further? The Hanover Branch connects directly with the Rockland Rail Trail, which extends westward for 3 more miles, from the Hanover-Rockland town line to North Abington. Parking lot at 1409 Hanover Street.

Rockland Rail Trail

The paved, 3.5-mile Rockland Rail Trail extends from West Hanover, through Rockland, to North Abington, and passes over French’s Stream, a headwater to the North River. Ideal for walking and bicycling, it offers numerous access points. Look for the parking lot at 638 Market Street, with additional parking and access at the Hanover Branch Rail Trail, 1409 Hanover Street (Route 139), Hanover.

Myles Standish State Park, Plymouth and Carver

Myles Standish State Forest is large — more than 12,400 acres. It contains many rare species and habitats, such as pine barrens, frost pockets, and coastal plain kettle ponds. The park is situated with two different watersheds – the Wankinco River and the Agawam River, which flow together in Carver to form the Wareham River. Check out the park’s 15 miles of paves bike paths, and 13 miles of forest trails. Some are quite hilly, so if your family is up for a workout, this is the spot for you! Several on-site parking lots.

Pond Meadow Park, Braintree and Weymouth

The 320-acre Pond Meadow Park straddles the Braintree/Weymouth town line. A good spot for new cyclists, it features a 2-mile paved trail around a pond, plus additional woodland paths. Along the way, look for Smelt Brook, a headwater stream for Fore River watershed. On-site parking lot at 470 Liberty Street in Braintree. Additional entrance, with parking, on Summer Street in Weymouth.

Great Esker Park and Osprey Overlook Park, Weymouth

Weymouth’s Great Esker Park features a forest-covered ridge and an expansive salt marsh along the Back River, with beautiful views. There are over 6 miles of paved trails along the top of the ridge, extending from Bridge Street to Osprey Overlook Park. Theoretically, this route is stroller and wheelchair friendly, but portions are hilly and steep. Large parking area at the end of Elva Road, plus limited on-site parking on Bridge Street and Puritan Road. Additional access and parking via Osprey Overlook Park on Wharf Street.

North Plymouth Rail Trail

Also known as the Seaside Rail Trail and the Grace Trail, this 1.2-mile all-access trail connects Nelson Memorial Park to the Cordage Park commercial area. Extending along the shoreline, it offers spectacular salt marsh and ocean views. Suitable for biking with young children, it is relatively flat and consists alternately of pavement, concrete, and crushed stone. Parking is available at various spots, including Nelson Memorial Park, Cordage Park, and the Holmes Reservation.

 

Norwell Pathway

A 3.5-mile network of paved trails, sidewalks and boardwalks, the Norwell Pathway is a fun way to explore Norwell with children. The trail extends through the watersheds of Third Herring Brook, Margaret’s Brook, and Second Herring Brook, all of which drain to the North River. Park at Gaffield Park, Norwell Community Gardens, Norwell Middle School, or Norwell High School.

by Kezia Bacon

April 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/