Abigail Adams Park + Kibby Property

Abigail Adams State Park, Bridge Street, Weymouth, MA, USA

DCR: (617) 727-5293 and Weymouth Parks/Trees/Grounds: (781) 337-5100

https://www.mass.gov/locations/stodders-neck-abigail-adams-park

Owned By: Commonwealth of Massachusetts

• Directions

Weymouth’s 7.6-acre Abigail Adams Park, which is part of MA DCR’s Back River Reservation, features a 0.7-mile paved walking trail along the Weymouth Back River, and a small stony beach that it suitable for launching a canoe or kayak. Along the trail, there are plaques with quotations from Abigail Adams. Immediately adjacent, the town-owned, 1.3-acre Kibby Property features 230 feet of natural riverfront shoreline, with paved trails. Both are stroller-friendly and situated on the Back River Trail.

FISHING ADVISORY: It’s important to know that some of our freshwater fisheries are contaminated with mercury, PFAS and/or other concerning substances. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health maintains an online database with up-to-date advisories regarding fish consumption, sorted by location. We recommend you consult this valuable resource when planning a fishing excursion.

Features

Abigail Adams Park is part of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation’s (DCR) Back River Reservation. In earlier times, a car dealership and a marine dredging operation stood on this property. The Kibby Property was purchased in 2010 from Richard Kibby, largely with Community Preservation funds. The park was dedicated in 2003 and fully established in 2016. It is part of the Back River Trail, a series of open space properties along the Weymouth Back River.

Abigail Adams (née Smith) was born in Weymouth, MA. She was the wife of second US President John Adams and the mother of sixth US President John Quincy Adams, and is remembered as an early proponent of women’s rights. The park features some of her quotations, displayed on plaques.

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites. 

We encourage you to follow and support the Back River Watershed Association.

Trail Description

A wide, 0.7-mile paved walking trail extends along the edge of the Weymouth Back River through Abigail Adams Park, and connects to the Kibby Property, which offers an additional, short trail loop. There is a plan to eventually connect Abigail Adams Park to Great Esker Park with a boardwalk under Route 3A.

Habitats and Wildlife

The vegetation here is relatively young. There are some pines and oaks, sumac and plenty of grass. The views of the Weymouth Back River are quite nice!

The Weymouth Back River rises from several ponds and swamps, including Whitman’s Pond in Weymouth. It flows for about 10 miles, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Hingham Bay, downstream of the park, and just south of Grape Island and Slate Island.

River herring swim upstream from the ocean to Whitman’s Pond every year to spawn. You may be able to catch a glimpse of them in the springtime, at Herring Run Pool Park and Stephen Rennie Herring Run Park in Jackson Square, Weymouth or at Iron Hill Park.