More-Brewer Park / Hingham

More-Brewer Park is located off Hobart Street in the West Hingham area of the South Shore. The park is slightly obscured from the main streets which keeps it from being a very active trail system. During a recent visit, there was only one other car - but it is also clear that there are loyal visitors.

The Park is reminiscent of the Worlds End experience on account of the original owner growing up on his father's farm near Worlds End. The park totals 186.5 acres of varied land, much of it interlaced with winding carriage paths. An outstanding feature is a spacious meadow, surrounded by pine. Larch and dogwood. Brewer Pond, gorgeous when water lilies are in bloom, and the more secluded Ice House Pond, provided habitat for many creatures. Other features include a trail through Bear Swamp and the foundation of the tiny cottage of Bootleg Charlie, immortalized in Brookes More’s poetry. (source: Hingham Conservation Commission description)

TRAILS

About 5 miles! Most of which are wider cart paths and with level surfaces.

Some trails are obstructed by fallen trees. Most of which are easy to get past, but not for those traveling with strollers or people with limited mobility.

HISTORY

Francis Brewer purchased the sheep grazing land at Great Hill in 1884. He had originally planned to create a park and transfer it to the town. Instead, he got married, built a house and farm, and raised a family. In 1921, the property was purchased by a poet, Brookes More. More's daughter married Francis Brewer's son, Wilmon.

Nearly 100 years after Francis's intention of a public park, the More-Brewer Park was created in 1980 with a generous land gift from by the Brewer family. Over several years, the land gifts continued to the current state of 150+ areas from the Brewer family. In 2006, the addition of Bear Swamp was created by the gift of Gertrude Higgins. (source: Hingham Conservation Commission description)