20 Nature Trails with Boardwalks

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. Note: renovations on site may result in temporary trail closures. For up-to-date information and real time trail conditions, visit wildlandstrust.org/trails. 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/

13 Spooky Places to Go for a Walk

 September had barely begun when Halloween decorations started appearing in my neighborhood. Towering skeletons, witches perched in mid-air, giant spiders climbing walls and windows... all sorts of fun, creepy stuff. This got me thinking: might this fondness for the spooky carry over into nature walks?

 Over the past five years, I’ve surveyed over 200 walking places on the South Shore. While there are plenty of similarities among our various parks and nature preserves, I’ve found that each has its own distinctive vibe. Some are quiet, some are busy, some are family-friendly, some are not. This October, I’d like to highlight the spooky ones.

 

What makes a nature preserve spooky? This too varies from place to place. Shady trails and minimal sunshine... Dark paths that skirt swamps... Crumbling ruins of factories and military installations... Toppled chimneys, rusted freight cars, and other vestiges of days gone by... Properties purported to be haunted... And of course, cemeteries. If – like me – you find spooky places fascinating, I encourage you to plan some walks at the spots listed below. 

 

Or join NSRWA for a group Spooky Walk on Sunday, October 27 at Couch Beach in Marshfield. You’ll find registration info on the events page of our website.

 

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 listed all the locations on our website as well! 

Fort Revere Park, Hull

Officially fortified during the Revolutionary War, this hilltop overlooking Boston Harbor also served as a prison for French soldiers, many of whom died from smallpox and were buried on site. Local lore claims that the fort – which continued to be used off and on until 1947 -- is haunted. Now maintained as a historic site, it’s a compelling spot to explore. Limited on-site parking at 60 Farina Road.

Turkey Hill, Hingham and Cohasset

A 62-acre property managed by both The Trustees and the Cohasset Conservation Trust, Turkey Hill was the site of an anti-missile radar control station (NIKE) during the Cold War. A half-mile trail at the top of the hill leads past a cinderblock building that was once part of the station. It also offers spectacular views of the Boston skyline and the Harbor Islands. There are parking areas on both Route 3A and Turkey Hill Lane.

Hatch Lots, Norwell

These 44 acres of historic woodlots contain two miles of walking trails through forest and wetlands, with a few small footbridges. Perched at the edge of Burnt Plain Swamp, the property can have a spooky vibe, especially on a damp or overcast day. Limited on-site parking at 510 Grove Street.

Rocky Run, Hanson

This 19-acre property -- located directly on the Indian Head River and Rocky Run Brook – offers more than a mile of trails with captivating views. It’s home to the lowest elevation in the Town of Hanson, at the foot of steep bedrock cliffs. Mossy and shaded with hemlock trees, it’s an intriguing spot – a dark, cool valley with historical significance. Limited on-site parking beside the State Street Bridge.

 

Ludden’s Ford Park, Pembroke

It’s hard to imagine now, but in the 1890’s, a sprawling rubber reclamation plant stood at this spot, on both sides of the Indian Head River. It’s long-gone now, but if you follow the trail into the woods, you’ll soon observe some ragged remains of the factory complex. Crumbling and covered with graffiti, they stand in stark contrast to the beautiful scenery. Ample on-site parking at 418 Elm Street.

Old Rockland Fireworks Loop Trail

Similar to Ludden’s Ford, the trails on this property offer views of graffiti-covered ruins, vestiges of the area’s industrial past. From Forge Pond Park in Hanover, follow the Clark Bog Trail from Parking Area C, heading away from King Street. The Old Rockland Fireworks Loop begins just beyond the metal gate.

Chapman’s Landing and Iron Mine Brook Trails, Hanover

Totaling about 2 miles, the Chapman’s Landing and Iron Mine Brook Trails traverse 50 acres on the Indian Head and North Rivers. Deep within the Iron Mine Brook section of the trail system, you’ll find a stretch of the former Hanover Branch Railroad, with some old freight containers at its side. Ample on-site parking at the end of Indian Head Drive.

Bonney Hill Trail, Hanson

Also known as The Last Meadows, this 1-mile woodland trail traverses the grounds of what was once the Plymouth County Hospital. Short spur trails reveal remains of hospital facilities, as well as the hearth and chimney of what was once a family home. Large parking area at 53 Pierce Ave. 

Folly Hill & Bog Iron Trails, Hanover

Iron Mine Brook runs through this property, which includes 3.6 miles of trails across 130 acres. In the woods in the western corner of the property, look for a fallen chimney, the last remains of a long-vanished house. Access and roadside parking at the Water Department land on Broadway.

 

Eaton’s Pond Conservation Area, Braintree

This 100-acre property features 2 miles of woodland trails around a pond and through a former granite quarry, with views of Hayward Creek. There’s a boardwalk, some mossy outcroppings of rock, and shadowy tree-lined ledges. Park on Bower Road extension, near the Eaton's Pond Area property sign.

Mayflower Cemetery, Duxbury

Mayflower Cemetery is a beautiful, tree-filled place with about 2 miles of paved roadways ... a great spot for a walk! But it’s still a cemetery, with crypts and gravestones dating back to 1787. Especially on a gloomy day, it can feel quite spooky! Limited on-site parking at 774 Tremont Street.

Burial Hill, Plymouth

Established in 1622, and located on a hill directly behind Plymouth Harbor, this is a fascinating place to explore. Follow the winding paths and check out the ancient gravestones, many of which are carved with skulls and ghoulish figures. Located at 12 Church Street. Metered parking on adjacent streets and in municipal lots nearby.

Historic Winslow House, Marshfield

This historic home was built in 1699 for Isaac Winslow, the third generation of Marshfield’s founding family... and some say it’s haunted. In the summer, you can tour the interior, where unusual sounds and sensations are often attributed to the spirit of Penelope Winslow, Isaac’s mother. Year-round, you can walk the loop trail behind the building (which connects to the adjacent Hoyt-Hall Preserve), and contemplate the mysteries within. Limited on-site parking at 634 Careswell Street.

by Kezia Bacon

October 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/

 

Six Places to Observe the Seasonal Migration of Birds

This summer – especially when it was hot and humid – I saved my daily hour-long walk for the end of the day, and moved it to the beach. The air temperature was always significantly lower there, and the sea breeze made the humidity a lot more tolerable!

For the past five years or so, I’ve been spending much of my free time with an avid birder. He’s more tuned into avian activity than I am, and as a result I’m now noticing things in nature that – before – I hadn’t looked close enough to see. Especially birds. 

 

Most of our beach walks this summer were at Green Harbor or Duxbury, two spots that also happen to be nesting sites for plover. Earlier in the season we delighted in seeing plover chicks scurry across the sand on their spindly legs. More recently, we’ve enjoyed watching them poke around in the mud, hunting for food. 

The plovers will be gone soon, heading south for the winter. Summer will turn to fall. Because the South Shore is situated on one of the major North American migration routes, there will still be plenty of shore birds to observe. I asked Doug Lowry of Mass Audubon Southeast what we might expect to see in the upcoming months.

 

If you enjoy birds, consider the Mass Audubon’s monthly program, “Birding in a Changing Climate on October 17. NSRWA’s Brian Taylor will co-host. Learn more at massaudubon.org. 

 

Also, I encourage you to follow NSRWA’s “365 Nature Places to Know,” our Explore South Shore program for 2024. Every morning, we highlight one of the region’s best nature places on Facebook and Instagram. Most Thursdays, we feature a spot that birders love. Not on social media? We’ve listed all the locations on our website as well! 

Duxbury Beach 

The fall migration season for shore birds is quite lengthy -- beginning in early July and continuing all the way into November. Duxbury Beach is a prime location for spotting them on the move. Among my favorites here are swallows, which gather in giant flocks an hour or so before sunset, swirling through the air in mesmerizing patterns before settling down in the marsh. In addition, Lowry recommends surveying the mud flats north of the Powder Point Bridge at low tide, where you’re likely to spy great blue herons, great egrets, and snowy egrets in large numbers, feasting on minnows and mummichogs from the marsh creeks. There is a small public parking area on the inland side of the Powder Point Bridge. 

Green Harbor Beach

Migration, which often takes place at night, is exhausting. A bird can lose half its body weight. When it lands, it needs nourishment and rest. In August, Green Harbor is a great place to view semi-palmated sandpipers and plovers. During higher tides, you’ll find them nestled into the cobble, enjoying some down time. At lower tides, turn your gaze to the mud at the water’s edge, where they’ll likely be hunting for food. Lowry offers this simple way to differentiate the two: sandpipers hunt by feel, in a bent-over position, while plovers hunt by sight, upright and looking around. For parking, a Marshfield resident sticker in required in-season, in the town lots on Avon Street, Beach Street, and at Beach Street extension.

The Spit

This sand bar near the mouth of the North River in Scituate is a nesting area for plover. You’re likely to see many of the same species mentioned above, especially in the muddy areas on the inland side. Also, keep your eyes on the wrack line – the strip of seaweed, grass, and other detritus that forms along the high tide boundary – where you might find ruddy turnstones poking around for a meal. The Spit is best accessed by boat. There is no public parking nearby. 

Rexhame Beach

Situated between the Atlantic and the South River, this large public beach in Marshfield has a lot to offer. On the ocean, side, watch for sanderlings chasing waves while hunting for ghost crabs. In the mud on the river side, look for willets, greater and lesser yellowlegs, and whimbrels, whose down-curved bill is ideal for consuming fiddler crabs. And keep an eye out for peregrine falcons, which follow the shore birds. Ample on-site parking at the end of Standish Street. In season, a Marshfield Beach sticker or a fee is required.

Damon’s Point

This spot in Marshfield Hills, at the site of an old railroad bridge, provides an excellent vantage point to the extensive salt marshes at the mouth of the North River. Look for great blue herons, great egrets and snowy egrets hunting the marsh creeks at lower tides. In the fall, you might still be able to catch glimpses of osprey here too, before they fly away to warmer climes. On the ride out to the point, consider pausing at Murdock’s Pond, at the intersection of Summer and Prospect Streets. In August and September, you might see black crowned night herons in the trees, among the low branches. There is limited parking at Damon’s Point, with a Marshfield beach sticker required for most spots.

Scituate Harborwalk

Later in the season, head to Scituate Harbor, where you can stroll along the water’s edge for about a half mile. In October and November, the harbor is a great spot to see loons and grebes, along with such sea ducks as scoters and common eiders. In addition, you might find black ducks in the estuary nearby. Ample on-site parking on Cole Parkway.

by Kezia Bacon

September 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/

 

Ten Places to Bring Your Paddleboard

Summer is paddling season – the prime time to enjoy the water with a canoe, a kayak, or perhaps a rowing shell. Or how about a stand-up paddleboard (SUP)? In the last decade or so, this versatile watercraft has become all the rage. 

 

A stand-up paddleboard resembles an oversized surfboard. To use it, you stand at its center and use a long-handled paddle to propel yourself forward. It may seem daunting, but once you get the hang of it, SUP’ing can be quite relaxing! Slower-paced than kayaking, it’s often a meditative experience. And because you’re standing instead of seated, you can take in more of the view!

 

Quieter waters are my personal choice for paddleboarding. While rivers and oceans may be suitable for some, I prefer to skip the waves and the boat traffic. The list below highlights ten rivers and ponds where SUPs are welcome. For more, consult the Paddling section of our Get Outdoors database.

 

When you go, be sure to wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Check the forecast, and remember that wind and tide will greatly affect your experience. Tell someone where you’re going, and bring drinking water and a snack, especially if you’re planning to be out for a while. It’s also a good idea to have a whistle on-hand, just in case.

 

Do you love the outdoors? Are you following “365 Nature Places to Know,” our Explore South Shore program for 2024? Every morning we highlight one of the region’s best nature places on Facebook and Instagram. Every Wednesday we feature a spot with water access. Not on social media? We’ve listed all the locations on our website as well! 

Pembroke Town Forest

While nearly all of the North River is navigable by paddleboard, the upper reaches are relatively quiet, with only occasional motor boats. This short-but-sweet SUP excursion begins at the public launch on Brick Kiln Lane. Put your board in the water at ocean high tide or soon after. Paddle upstream until you’re close enough to the Washington Street Bridge to see its bricks, but not close enough to pass underneath it. Admire the historic bridge from a distance and then return downstream. Limited on-site parking.

Francis Keville Footbridge, Marshfield

The lower half of the South River is navigable by paddleboard, and this seasonal ramp and float is the perfect place to access it. Boat traffic increases as you approach Humarock, but section between Keville and Rexhame Beach is relatively serene. Carry your board from the CVS at 1880 Ocean Street to the bridge – just 0.15 miles down the Rail Trail. If you start 2-3 hours before ocean high tide, you can enjoy a pleasant out-and-back -- perhaps an hour each way. 

Jacobs Pond, Conservation Area, Norwell

This 60-acre pond in Norwell offers two distinct launch areas –one on Jacobs Lane and one on Duncan Drive. Motors are not permitted, making Jacobs Pond a lovely locale for paddleboarding. While you’re there, see if you can spot where Third Herring Brook enters and exits the pond, on its way to the North River. Limited on-site parking.

Maquan Pond and Cranberry Cove, Hanson

Maquan Pond is a tributary to both Furnace Pond and Indian Head Brook, and one of the North River’s many sources. The 48-acre pond is open seasonally for swimming, and year-round for non-motorized boating. Surrounded by trees and scattered homes, it’s an idyllic spot for paddleboarding. Limited on-site parking on Camp Kiwanee Road.

Crocker Memorial Park, Duxbury

If you enjoy small ponds, check out Crocker Memorial Park in Duxbury. This wooded property at 287 Tobey Garden Street offers non-motorized boat access to the 35-acre Island Creek Pond. Fed by natural springs, Island Creek flows south for two miles, through Mill Pond and into Kingston Bay. On-site parking.

Winsor Shores, Hull and Cohasset

This tiny property on the Hull-Cohasset line provides paddling access to the 92-acre Straits Pond, a tributary to the Weir River. While in earlier times, the waters at this historic spot weren’t especially inviting, recent improvements have dramatically improved water quality. Very limited on-site parking (2-3 vehicles) at 30 Atlantic Ave, Hull.

Fresh Pond Park, Plymouth

There are 450 ponds in Plymouth, and many are suitable for paddleboarding. Consider this 62-acre kettle hole, located at 220 Bartlett Road in Manomet. Fed primarily by groundwater, it’s in the watershed of Beaver Dam Brook. Only non-motorized boats are permitted. There’s also a seasonal swimming beach, with restrooms and lifeguards on summer weekends. Limited on-site parking.

Stetson Pond Beach, Pembroke

Most of Pembroke’s ponds are within the North and South Rivers watershed, but this one is part of the Taunton River system. Located on Plymouth Street, this quiet natural pond is ideal for fishing, swimming, and paddling, with limited on-site parking.

Peter Igo Park, Marshfield 

If you’d like to explore the Green Harbor River via paddleboard, this is the place to start. The tide gate at Route 139 keeps water levels relatively consistent, so if the wind is right, you can set off anytime, dawn to dusk, and head inland. Check out Everson Island, a short distance across the water, or continue upstream toward Wharf Creek and Mass Audubon’s Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary. Limited on-site parking at 29 Marshall Ave.

 

Mulliken’s Landing, Kingston

This is a great spot to access the Jones River -- now more than ever! Recently renovated, with a boardwalk to the water plus a seasonal ramp and float, this state and town-owned landing offers over a mile of river in both directions. You’ll find quieter waters upstream, and the best paddling here occurs around high tide. Look for the small parking lot on Landing Road, at the intersection with River Road.

by Kezia Bacon

August 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/