Sledding Hills of the South Shore

How fun to wake up to snow on a day off from school! In January, while town offices and businesses paused their regular schedules to honor Martin Luther King Jr., families all over the South Shore headed for the hills... the sledding hills! With sunny skies and not-too-frigid temperatures, it was the perfect day to inflate a snow tube, try out a new racer, or even dust off an old toboggan. But where to go? Each town has its own special sledding spots. The list below highlights a few tried-and-true public properties that welcome sledders in the wintertime. 

Sledding is not for everyone, of course. If you’re more inclined to enjoy the wintry outdoors on less slippery ground, there are plenty of options for getting some fresh air while keeping your legs dry. The Get Outdoors section of NSRWA’s website features 500+ places on the South Shore where the public can enjoy the natural world. Looking for a place to cross-country ski? We’ve listed more than 100. Prefer a brisk walk? We offer detailed info on more than 200 trails. Each listing on Get Outdoors includes parking information, trail maps, and much, much more.

 

If you love the outdoors and would appreciate a daily suggestion for where to enjoy it, we encourage you to follow “Postcards From the ‘Shed” our Explore South Shore program for 2025. This year, in addition to inspiring photos and access information, we’re including details about each property’s watershed. Every day on Facebook and Instagram, we highlight a different spot. Not on social media? We’ve included all the locations on our website as well! Plus test your knowledge with our monthly “Where in the Watershed?” photo quiz! 

South Shore Country Club, Hingham

This town-owned facility is best known for golf, but it also offers tennis courts and a bowling alley. In the winter, it welcomes the public to its grassy slopes for sledding. Cross-country skiers are also welcome. When they’re not frozen, the waters here drain to the Fresh River, part of the Weymouth Back River watershed.

Ample on-site parking at 274 South Street, Hingham.

 

Coast Guard Hill, Marshfield

Formerly a Coast Guard Communications Center, this grassy 40-acre property is now the home of the Marshfield Recreation Department. It features a popular sledding hill, along with walking trails, volleyball, basketball and horseshoe courts, a playground and a picnic area. It is situated in the watershed of Clapp Creek, a tributary to the South River. Limited on-site parking at 900 Ferry Street, Marshfield.

Weston Park, Weymouth

Located behind Tufts Library, this multi-use park on the outskirts of Weymouth Landing features two playgrounds, a picnic area, and 0.6 miles of walking paths. When there’s snow on the ground, it’s a popular spot for sledding. It lies within the watershed of Smelt Brook, a tributary to the Fore River.Ample on-site parking at 46 Broad Street, Weymouth.

Widow’s Walk Golf Course, Scituate

While reserved for golf from March through December, this scenic public course opens its pathways and hills to sledding and cross-country skiing in January and February. The view from the higher elevations is spectacular! It’s located in the watershed of the Herring River, a tributary to the North River. Ample on-site parking at 250 Driftway, Scituate.

North Hill Country Club, Duxbury

In the winter, this public nine-hole golf course is a very popular spot for sledding. It offers a variety of hills, including some tall, steep ones! It is situated within the watershed of West Brook, a tributary to the Duck Hill River. Ample on-site parking at 29 Merry Ave., Duxbury.

Whitman Town Park

Designed by the Olmsted Brothers, this grassy 14-acre property has something for everyone. In the winter, its gently rolling hills are a great spot for young sledders. Other features include a playground, a pond, broad walking paths, and numerous benches. Not far from the Shumatuscacant River, it lies within the Taunton River watershed. Numerous roadside parking spaces on Whitman Ave., adjacent to the park.

Strawberry Valley Golf Course, Abington

When it snows, this 9-hole golf course is open to the public for sledding, with both large and small hills. Its waters flow into the Stream River, which is part of the Taunton River watershed. Limited on-site parking at 164 Washington Street (Route 18), Abington.

 

by Kezia Bacon

February 2025

 

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. Click here for more information about the “Where in the Watershed?”/Postcards from the ‘Shed Contest.

New for 2025! Check Out These 9 Places to Enjoy the Outdoors

Happy New Year, fellow nature enthusiasts! It’s January, which means it’s time for me to write about the new trails, paddling spots and public parks that have been established on the South Shore in the past year. I always look forward to this article. It’s exciting to see our local communities continue to prioritize the protection of open space! Below you’ll find 9 new places to explore. Some are truly new, and some are just new to me!

 

Is nine not enough? Then I hope you will visit the Get Outdoors section of NSRWA’s website. It’s such a fantastic resource, with detailed information about 500 public spots on the South Shore where the public can enjoy the natural world. Each property has its own listing, with parking information, trail maps, and much, much more.

 

Would you enjoy a daily suggestion for a local place to enjoy the outdoors? We’d love it if you’d follow “Postcards From the ‘Shed” our Explore South Shore program for 2025. This year, in addition to inspiring photos and access information, we’re including details about each property’s watershed. Every day on Facebook and Instagram, we highlight a different spot. Not on social media? We’ve included all the locations on our website as well! Plus test your knowledge with our monthly “Where in the Watershed?” photo quiz! 

 

Red Gold Farm, Marshfield

Marshfield’s newest conservation area, Red Gold Farm features about 2.5 miles of wide flat trails that wind around ponds, wetlands, and active cranberry bogs. The Green Harbor River flows through the property. Informal parking for 6 vehicles can be found in the unpaved roadside pull-off at 611 Webster Street, across from the Green Harbor Golf Club. Do not block the access road or any private driveways.

Valley Swamp Conservation Area, Norwell

Valley Swamp is among the many headwaters of the North River. Norwell’s Valley Swamp Conservation Area offers the opportunity to experience this freshwater wetland first-hand. There are two distinct trail networks — with a total of 1.3 miles of woodland trails. Look for access at the end of Shady Lane, at the end of Beers Ave. Limited roadside parking at both spots.

Beals Park, Weymouth

North Weymouth’s newly-renovated Beals Park has something for everyone, including a large playground, an 18,000-square-foot skate park, paved trails, and pickleball courts, along with a basketball half-court, benches, and a shade pavilion. There are two 9-space parking areas -- at 35 Athens Street, and on Sea Street opposite Pearl Street. The property is situated within the watershed of the Fore River.

Moswetuset Hummock, Quincy

In the 1620’s and early 1630’s, Moswetuset Hummock — located in the Squantum section of Quincy — was the summer seat of Chickatawbut, Chief Sac’hem of the Ponkapoag band of the Massachusett Native American tribe. This small historic property features a 0.4-mile woodland trail and spectacular views of Quincy Bay and the Squantum Marshes. It is located within the bounds of DCR’s Quincy Shores Reservation, with limited on-site parking lot at 440 E Squantum Street. 

 

Quincy Riverwalk

While in Quincy, also check out the Quincy Riverwalk, which extends for 2 miles along the Neponset River, from Squantum Point Park, through Neponset Landing Park, to the gazebo at the Adams Inn. This trail had been on my “To Visit” list for years. Last spring, I finally got there, and I encourage you to do the same. The trail offers views of beaches, wetlands, marshes, woodlands, and meadows ... and also the Boston Skyline! There is ample on-site parking at Squantum Point Park, at the end of Victory Road in Quincy. For further inspiration, follow the Neponset River Watershed Association, which was established in 1967!

Rocky Point Preserve, Plymouth

Take a short walk at this new property on the coast of Plymouth. It features a 0.4-mile trail through forest and freshwater wetlands, with a real treat at the end ... an overlook from a high bluff with a view the ocean. On a clear day, you may be able to see Saquish, Duxbury Beach, or even the Outer Cape! Part of the Cape Cod Bay watershed, it offers limited on-site parking at 302 Rocky Hill Road, Plymouth.

Darby Pond Well Water Protection Land, Plymouth

Hooray! West Plymouth has a new conservation property! The 197-acre Darby Pond Well Water Protection Land offers a 1.25-mile out-and-back trail through forest and reclaimed cranberry bogs. At the very end, you can enjoy views of Darby Pond, which drains to the Winnetuxet River, and is part of the Taunton River watershed. There is limited roadside parking at 266 Plympton Road in Plymouth.

 

Mordecai Lincoln Mill & Homestead, Scituate

This isn’t exactly a new property. The Town of Scituate has been working on it, behind the scenes, for a while now. Some exciting developments have taken place in the past year or so, including the establishment of a canoe and kayak launch on Bound Brook, along with a half mile of walking trails. The scenery at this property is gorgeous. Stop by if only to enjoy the view. The grounds — which feature stone walls, rocky outcroppings, and gardens — are open to the public, and restoration work is underway for the house and outbuildings. Limited parking at the top of the property's entrance drive, near the house, at 68 Mordecai Lincoln Road.

 

Fogg Forest/Carleton Property, Norwell

Just outside Norwell Center, the combined Fogg Forest and Carleton Property provide 154 acres of contiguous conservation land, views of Trout Brook, and at least 2 miles of trails... including a brand-new one known as the Cow Path. You can see it from the intersection of Main and Lincoln Streets – a long strip of grass bordered with stone walls, with a boardwalk at the end. Do yourself a favor and visit this sprawling, diverse property. Additional trail connections are scheduled for later this year. For access, look for the trailhead at rear of the field at 625 Main Street, at the edge of the woods. 

by Kezia Bacon

January 2025

 

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. Visit the NSRWA website for more information about Explore South Shore 2025.