Mayor Hedlund announces plans to open five miles of trails in Weymouth

Weymouth, MA –Mayor Robert Hedlund, in conjunction with his newly formed Open Space Committee, will initiate the first phase of trail improvements at four Town-owned conservation areas: the Bradford Torrey Bird Sanctuary; Cavern Rock Park; Woodbine Conservation area; and House Rock Park.  Additionally, the Town will open limited access to a one-mile trail along Great Pond between Negus Park and Gifford Park.  The improvements will create new trails or increase accessibility to existing trails and open spaces as well as enhance the user experience at these locations.  Project components include marking and mapping of existing trails, installation of informational trailheads, and improvements to the parking areas. In total, these projects will open 180 acres and 5 miles of trails in previously underutilized areas.

The Bradford Torrey Bird Sanctuary, the largest of these conservation areas, is over a hundred acres in size and contains over two miles of trails. “Bradford Torrey is one of our more pristine natural areas in Town, and these improvements will greatly increase accessibility for residents,” said Mayor Robert Hedlund.  Plans for Bradford Torrey include establishing a marked loop trail, the placement of informational trailheads, and a new gravel parking lot off route 18.  This parking lot will be created by MassDOT as part of Route 18 widening project. 

The Great Pond Trail will open for the first time through the creation of a limited access trail that connects to an existing .9-mile trail between Negus and Gifford parks.  Access will be limited to just the marked path, and land surrounding Great Pond will continue to be off limits.

The Woodbine Conservation area consists of 2.17 acres of conservation land, including Woodbine Island, with a newly created short waterfront trail. Improvements at this location include trail clearing and a new informational trailhead.

Cavern Rock is comprised of 36 acres, and improvements will include mapping and marking trails, establishing a loop trail, and entrance improvements.

House Rock  is approximately 26 acres and will involve the creation of new trails. Both House Rock and Cavern Rock have existing trails that will be improved as well as available public parking.   

“The Open Space Committee worked to narrow down cost-effective, priority programs based on our Plan”, said Recreation Department Program Coordinator and Chair of the Open Space Committee, Andrew Hultin. “We are excited to lead five projects this Spring that will greatly enhance the open space amenities that residents all around town can utilize.”

The improvements for the various sites detailed here will be funded through the town’s Recreation Department, in-kind work conducted by the Department of Public Works, and private investment in the sites. Maps for these and other open spaces in Town will be available for print on the Town’s website.

About the Open Space Committee

In the spring of 2018 Mayor Hedlund established the Open Space Committee to assist the Mayor’s office in preserving, protecting and maintaining Weymouth’s open spaces. Annually, the Committee meets to identify priority projects for completion based on the goals outlines in the Town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan.  In addition, the Committee prioritizes opportunities for improved access, development and maintenance of trails/trail linkages, and other enhancements that can improve neighborhood parks.

The Open Space Committee is one of many efforts the Mayor and Town have undertaken to enhance Weymouth’s trails, parks, and other recreational amenities. In the past year, the town has renovated and improved numerous recreational sites and parks, including Great Esker Park, Osprey Overlook Park, and King Oak Hill Park. In addition, the Town is currently undergoing an Open Space and Recreation Plan update. The Committee is in its first phase of an ongoing effort to improve trails and open spaces, and more projects are expected to be undertaken in the coming year. Visit the Open Space Committee site to find our more information about the work and future plans for the town’s open spaces.