14Jan 2018 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Jacobs Meadow / Hingham

Jacobs Meadow consists of 50 acres of open fields and varied woodlands from Main Street to the Fulling Mill Brook, with trail access on weekends and after school behind the Wilder Memorial Building. The trail presents a serene opportunity that is very family friendly! The wide open fields are perfect for getting some fresh air. Each of the connecting fields within Jacobs Meadow takes visitors further away from the hustle and bustle of Rt 228 in Hingham. Helen Burns, a major donor to the town, gave 30 acres to the HLCT and 8 acres to the HCC. The northern 10 acres were purchased by the Commission from abutters an the access to Main Street was donated by the Goodlatte family along with an easement given by Wilder Memorial. Two lots...

09Jan 2018 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Widow’s Walk / Scituate

Scituate, Trail

Widow's Walk is one of the most popular walking areas in the town of Scituate. Visitors can't wait for golfing season to be over to explore the property. The site is most frequently visited by walkers with dogs. The large property is also well known with bird watchers. Visitors frequently post to town social media about various wildlife sightings like coyote, fox, and different birds of prey. As a commitment to the environment Widow’s Walk became a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary course in 2002. This program ensures a commitment to the environment by establishing avian nesting box programs, providing habitats for numerous other species of animals, and using integrated pest management to apply the least amount of water, pesticides and fertilizer as possible. (source) Visitor Reminders: follow town leash laws....

27Dec 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Phillips Farm / Marshfield

Marshfield, Trail, Wildlands Trust

Philips Farm Preserve is a Wildlands Trust property located in Marshfield. The preserve is located in an area of Marshfield rich with conservation sites including some connected to Philips. The original Philips Farm was owned by the Philips family for over 150 years. This particular preserve consists of 40 acres that were secured in 1999. Without Phillips Farm, four other properties — Cornhill Woodland, Union Street Woodland, Tilden Farm, and Nelson Memorial Forest — could not have been linked by trail. The preserve was purchased with the support of residents who value the historic country vistas, farm meadows, and historic, classic farmhouses and stone walls. Some nature tips from the Wildlands Trust: Listen for scarlet tanagers, hermit thrushes, red-eyed vireos, blue-gray gnatcatchers, eastern wood peewees, and other forest interior birds. As...

26Dec 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Cornhill Woodland / Marshfield

Marshfield, Trail

Cornhill Woodlands is a 123 acre preserve located in Marshfield along Union Street. The parcel features a trail system that weaves through the forest and ultimately to a flat marsh area. The nest of trails lead visitors through a deep, mature forest crisscrossed by historic stone walls. One of our particular favorites was coming across an old stone well in the middle of the forest. The trail network is accessible via a few access points but the best is on Union Street. As noted on the Marshfield trail maps, the paths are not very wide and as a result they can be a bit overgrown during high-growth periods. The trails also cross through some significant wetland areas but thanks to raised boardwalks visitors can still enjoy themselves and keep their...

10Dec 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Bay Farm / Duxbury

Duxbury, kingston, Trail

The Bay Farm trail is an 80 acre land preserve located in Duxbury along the Kingston Bay. The acerage is comprised of land owned by Kingston, Duxbury, and the state. Upon first arriving at the trail, visitors are immediately drawn to the large open space that feels reminiscent of Turkey Hill or World's End. The simple Bay Farm trail network provides incredible views of Kingston Bay, the Myles Standish Monument, Clark’s Island, Gurnet Light, Rocky Nook and Saquish. The property has become a popular location in all seasons with dog-walkers, bird watching, fishing, and even cross-country skiing. HISTORY Duxbury acquired after the original onsite farm first in 1973. Although originally a dairy farm for the first half of the 20th century, a group of actors purchased the land and formed the Duxbury...

04Dec 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Hubbell / Scituate

Scituate, Trail

The Hubbell Trail is located on about 40 acres of land in the North Scituate area of Scituate. While this area is well known for marsh and ocean views, the wooded landscape of the Hubbell preserve is a fresh perspective. The trail is relatively new as compared to other South Shore trails. The Hubbell preserve was initially started in the 1960s with a donation by Dick Hubbell and continued in recent years with an additional 16 acres. In 2016, the initial trail work was initiated by XX as part of an Eagle Scout project. Eagle Scout projects are a great way to enhance the utilization of town resources . The nearby Minot Beach Kayak ramp is another great example. The trail provides a great resource for the Minot and North...

03Dec 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Donovan Wildcat / Norwell

Norwell, Trail

The Donovan-Wildcat Conservation Area is rich with history. The conservation area is a 50-acre site that was part of a 1997 land acquisition by the town of Norwell. The conservation land consists of fields and some wooded areas as well. The Donovan fields were originally known as "White Oak Plans" and was part of a large Colonial land grant to the Clap family. It was cleared for farming in 1820. A horse track was also established where Centennial Way is now located. By 1955, there was a thriving and successful apple orchard which is now long gone. The only evidence of this orchard is a low brick building that was used for storage and packing. The construction of the trail was part of a development agreement in 1997. As the...

24Nov 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Brass Kettle / Cohasset

Cohasset, Cohasset Conservation Trust, Trail

Brass Kettle Conservation trails are located off King Street in Cohasset. The land was officially acquired by the town of Cohasset in 2008 to complete the protection of Lily Pond, a primary town reservoir. The National Heritage and Endangered Species Program identifies the entire property and much of its surroundings area as core habitat for rare species. There are more than 70 species of trees and plants inhabiting this woodland as well as a wide variety of animals and birds including grouse, partridge and deer. These trails create an interesting network that starts at the parking area at the King Street trailhead, west to Wompatuck Park and then north to Whitney-Thayer Woods and Turkey Hill. The historic path, once called Great Lot Lane, linked Hingham and Cohasset and crosses two tributaries of Brass...

12Nov 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

Bouve Conservation Area / Hingham

Hingham, Trail

Bouve Conservation is a 32 acre preserve located along Hewitts Cove in Hingham. The area was acquired from the Bouve family in 1980. Currently the park is owned and managed by the Hingham Conservation Commission. It is a wonderful site that provides unique shoreline views. According to Hingham’s trail notes: The site includes a historically dredged swimming beach, vistas of the waterfront and Boston skyline. The slate cliffs are also particularly geologically intriguing. The coastal cliffs were formed from sediment in a lake that occupied the Boston Basin 200 million years ago. The trail network is essentially one straight trail but there are a few side trails that are not noted on the map. The property is heavily wooded with excellent views of the water. There is a large stream at...

12Nov 2017 by southshoretrailsma@gmail.com

South Elementary School Trails / Hingham

Hingham, Trail

South Elementary LOCATION: Main Street Hingham, MA STROLLER SCORE: TBD LINKS: <none yet>