10 Places to Walk Off Your Holiday Indulgences

A secluded trail, deep within the J. J. Shepherd Memorial Forest in Pembroke. Photo by Kezia Bacon.

Did you enjoy second helpings of the stuffing and the potatoes and the delicious brussels sprout casserole that your aunt made on Thanksgiving? Did you choose both the fudgy brownie and the gleaming slice of lemon meringue pie? How about all those local craft IPAs you just had to sample? Holiday meals often involve indulgence. And then we lean back in our chairs, loosen our waistbands, and pledge to do better tomorrow, before nodding off. But then the next day there’s the leftovers, and the following weekend the holiday parties begin. By the time the New Year arrives, we might be feeling the effects of all those tasty morsels. 

One way to counteract our indulgences, and the regret that sometimes accompanies them, is to get moving. Being active can restore energy levels and help to burn off all that delectable creamed spinach you devoured last night. Not sure where to go? Read on for ten scenic and invigorating walks within the watershed of the North and South Rivers. Visit our website for trail and parking information and other important details. 

A view from the Thompson Pond Trail in Abington. Photo by Kezia Bacon.

Thompson Pond Trail, Abington

When Union Point took over the South Weymouth Naval Air Station land, they worked with the Wildlands Trust to develop trails at the southern edge of the property. Now the public can access open space on both sides of what once were runways. In Abington, this is the Thompson Pond Trail system, about 1.9 miles through meadow and forest, on the banks of a large pond and along the west branch of French’s Stream.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/thompson-pond-trail/

A beautiful beech grove at the Twin Pond Trail system in Rockland. Photo by Kezia Bacon.

Twin Ponds Trail, Rockland

The Rockland side of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station runways is now the Twin Ponds Trail system. More heavily wooded than Thompson Pond, this area offers another 1.9 miles of walking, with two different loops, plus two ponds and the east branch of French’s Stream.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/twin-ponds-trail/

One of many bridges in the Melzar Hatch Preserve in Hanover. Photo by Kezia Bacon.

Melzar Hatch Preserve, Hanover

Half of the loop trail on this property runs along the edge of athletic fields, but the other half extends through beautiful woods and wetlands, with numerous footbridges over Longwater Brook and the Drinkwater River. The trails are wide, and often flat, but sometimes heavily rooted.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/melzar-hatch-preserve/

This trail at the Alton J. Smith Reserve in Hanson runs around the perimeter of a retired cranberry bog.
Photo by Kezia Bacon.

Alton J. Smith Reserve, Hanson

This retired cranberry bog on Indian Head Pond is a great place to stretch your legs and observe some wildlife. Trails loop around the bogs and wetlands, with spurs that head off into the woods. Extend your walk by continuing to the J. J. Shepherd Memorial Forest, immediately adjacent.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/alton-j-smith-reserve/

Indian Head Pond, as viewed from the J. J. Shepherd Memorial Forest in Pembroke. Photo by Kezia Bacon.

J. J. Shepherd Memorial Forest, Pembroke

Continue past the athletic fields of this town-owned property, and into the woods. You’ll be stepping into a network of wide trails around a retired cranberry bog and along the banks of Indian Head Pond. Extend your visit by continuing to the Alton J. Smith Reserve, immediately adjacent.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/j-j-shepherd-memorial-forest/

A boardwalk at the edge of Phillips Brook, in the Lansing Bennett Forest in Duxbury. Photo by Kezia Bacon.

Lansing Bennett Forest, Duxbury

This large wooded property surrounds Phillips Brook, a tributary to the South River. A network of intersecting trails includes the occasional boardwalk or footbridge. Look for wild brook trout in the deep pools and covered edges of the brook. There is also an old millpond on site.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/lansing-bennett-forest/

A trail connecting Marshfield's Cornhill Woodland to thee North River salt marsh. Photo by Kezia Bacon.

Cornhill Woodland, Marshfield

Some call this property “the dog parcel” because its shape resembles a Scottie. A newly-installed kiosk in the parking area offers a review of the area’s agricultural history as well as detailed trail information. Check out the three loop trails, plus the occasional boardwalk over wetlands, all totaling about two miles. A spur leads to the salt marsh along the North River.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/cornhill-woodland/

Don't miss this observation platform at the edge of Herring River, at Driftway Conservation Park in Scituate.
Photo by Kezia Bacon.

Driftway Conservation Park, Scituate

It’s not immediately evident, when you enter from the parking area, that this property extends for quite a distance, through wetlands, meadow and woods, and onto the salt marsh. Continue along the banks of Herring River to the A. J. McEachern Trail sign. A color-coded network of paths -- some wide, some narrow -- offers access to a variety of habitats, and the viewing platform is one of the best around.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/driftway-conservation-park/

A new boardwalk under construction at the Hatch Lots Conservation Area in Norwell. Photo by Kezia Bacon.

Hatch Lots, Norwell

Historically this property was maintained as a woodlot. The forest is primarily beech now, with plenty of pine and oak, as well as some hemlock, holly and birch. There is an out-and-back trail of about 1 mile (each way) across an unnamed stream and through the woods, plus a loop adjacent to Burnt Plain Swamp, with a second loop still being developed.

https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/hatch-lots-conservation-area/

Wompatuck State Park in Hingham offers over 70 miles of paved and unpaved trails. Photo by Kezia Bacon.

Wompatuck State Park, Hingham 

With 3500 acres, and 70 miles of trails, Wompatuck has a lot to offer. Using the official trail map for guidance, try this 3.8-mile loop. From the Visitor’s Center, proceed to N2, then N11, N16 and N25. Continue to N31, then C8 and C7. From there, proceed to N33 and N32, and then return to the Visitor’s Center via N14. This loop trail is mostly unpaved and wooded, although some sections involve pavement. It’s a great introduction to the park! https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/wompatuck-state-park/

by Kezia Bacon

November 2019

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 20+ years of Kezia’s Nature columns there. 

The Hidden Gems of Hanover’s Forge Pond Park

Swans on Forge Pond.

Hanover’s Forge Pond Park is large (75 acres), and as you drive up the entrance road, it might be easy to presume from first glance that it is strictly an athletic complex surrounded by pine and oak forest. There are three baseball fields, three softball fields, and three multi-purpose fields, commonly filled with soccer teams on weekend mornings. There is also a pavilion with a concession stand, operated seasonally, and five distinct parking areas.

Look a little closer and you’ll notice a wide, paved trail extending along the perimeter. This 1-mile path is ideal for walking and wheelchair use, and provides an ideal venue for families with young children practicing their cycling skills. There are several dog waste receptacles along the path, encouraging proper disposal, as well as benches and the occasional Porta-Potty.

Look even closer -- and for this you will have to venture beyond the lawns and the pavement -- and you will begin to see the hidden gems of Forge Pond Park. Large green signs mark the access points for the five intersecting woodland trails that traverse the park’s boundaries and beyond, and offer views of Forge Pond, French’s Stream, the Drinkwater River, plus several smaller brooks and ponds. There is also a launch area on Forge Pond for canoes and kayaks.

The Forge Pond Trail begins near Parking Lot A. Look for the sign that marks the trailhead. As you head into the woods, you will see Forge Pond on your right. The trail continues along the water’s edge through a forest of pine, beech, oak and sassafras. The understory is rich with ferns and sweet pepper bush. If you only have time for a short walk, this could be your spot. The 0.22-mile trail offers a quick jaunt across pleasant terrain, with occasional spurs to the pond. Additional access to this trail can be found at Parking Lot E, where the Forge Pond and French's Stream Trails intersect. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/forge-pond-park/

Looking downstream at the confluence of French's Stream and the Drinkwater River, from the French's Stream Bridge.

The French’s Stream Trail begins at Parking Lot E, as deep into the paved portion of the park as you can go. Look for the gravel path that heads down toward the water and the intersection with the Forge Pond Trail. It’s here that you will also find a gravel canoe/kayak launch ramp, a welcoming spot to access Forge Pond. From this intersection, The French’s Stream Trail (0.5 miles total) continues to the left, through woods of pine, oak, birch, beech and maple. You will soon encounter a short walkway over a stream, as well as an old stone wall. Farther into the forest, the trail forks. Follow the red blazes to the right for an up-close view of French’s Stream, or stay on the green trail. They converge a short distance later at the foot of the French’s Stream bridge, a wooden span at the confluence of French’s Stream and the Drinkwater River. The views from the bridge are quite captivating! The two streams flowing together, the tinkling of water over rocks, with so many different colors represented by the foliage, water and sky . . . this is truly a lovely spot. Continue over the bridge, through the woods for another quarter mile, to Circuit Street. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/frenchs-stream-trail/

Summer Street Conservation Lands: Just before the French’s Stream Bridge, you may notice another trail, marked with red blazes, veering off to the left through a grassy power easement. This unnamed trail continues along the outer edge of Forge Pond Park for about a mile, mostly through Rockland’s 14-acre Summer Street Conservation Lands. After a second power easement, it connects with the Old Rockland Fireworks Loop Trail, as well as the Clark Bog Trail, both of which can also be accessed at Forge Pond Park. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/summer-street-conservation-lands/

The Old Rockland Fireworks Loop Trail is an unmarked 1-mile loop -- mostly gravel, occasionally paved -- that traverses flat terrain through woodlands composed of maple, birch, holly, pine and hemlock. Along the way you’ll see concrete structures that were once part of the National Fireworks Company, many now completely covered in graffiti. 

Small brooks run along both sides, and occasionally you'll see a concrete pipe or culvert. There are three access points: from the trail through the Summer Street Conservation Lands, from the metal gate at the western end of the Clark Bog Trail, and from a trail that begins on Satucket Road in Rockland. https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/old-rockland-fireworks-loop-trail/

The Clark Bog Trail has several access points. You can walk in from King Street, or from Forge Pond Park’s Parking Lot C, where there is a large green sign. You can also pick up the trail on the Hanover/Rockland town line, at the gate at the southern intersection of the Old Rockland Fireworks Loop and the Summer Street Conservation trail. Clark Bog provides a network of intersecting wooded paths, mostly around a former cranberry bog, totaling about a mile. 

There are water views and noteworthy landscapes, such as the densely packed young trees where the cranberries used to grow. Be sure to heed all Private Property signs. The shooting range for the Hanover Police Department is immediately adjacent! https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/clark-bog-trail/

Forge Pond Park was established in 2014. It is thoughtfully designed and well-maintained, and definitely worth repeat visits. It is located at 253 King Street in Hanover. For more information visit https://www.nsrwa.org/listing/forge-pond-park/

by Kezia Bacon

October 2019

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 20+ years of Kezia’s Nature columns there.