Brewer Reservation - North and South Rivers Watershed Association

160 Hobart St, Hingham, MA 02043, USA

Owned By: Town of Hingham

Also included here, Cassidy Field and Ridgewood Reservation. This 60-acre set of properties features unpaved roads and trails through piney woodlands. Bordered on one side by the Hingham Transfer Facility. Combined with More-Brewer Park across the street, there are at least 5 miles of trails and carriage paths to explore.

Features

According to Looking Backward by Wilmon Brewer, Francis Brewer was especially interested in trees. In 1880, he established the Hingham Tree Association, a tree nursery at the corner of Hobart and New Bridge Streets. He led an effort to plan linden trees and Norway maples at various spots around town, and is known as the town’s first Tree Warden. His intention was to plant all of the species that could grow in Hingham’s climate. Within the More Brewer Park, the Brewer Reservation, and Cranberry Pond (around the corner on French Street), you will see various trees with numbers posted upon them. These are some of Brewer’s original plantings. A guide posted at the kiosk near the park entrance to More Brewer Park identifies these trees.

The Brewer Preserve was expanded in later years with the addition of Cassidy Field — 8.4 acres surrounded by white pines, plus a baseball field. Further expanding the property, the adjacent Ridgewood Reservation was donated in conjunction with the 2010 development of the Ridgewood Crossing neighborhood. The Ridgewood section features a trail along a forested ridge, and views of a small pond (Snake Pond). Trails connect all three sections.

In earlier times, this land was within the region of the Wampanoag and Massachuseuk (or Massachusett) Native American tribes.

Deer hunting is allowed on this property between October 19 and November 28. Special permit by the Conservation Commission is required for this activity.

Trail Description

From the parking area, follow the unpaved roadway into the woods. Blue blazes mark the way. There is a loop trail to the right. If you bear left, the trail will lead you over a hill through a small meadow and into an extensive (2-3 miles) trail network, including a large loop around the Ridgewood Crossing/Woodlock Road neighborhood. A spur trail along a forested ridge leads past Snake Pond and out to High Street. A different spur trail passes behind the Hingham Landfill, leading toward (or possibly to) Cranberry Pond.

Habitats and Wildlife

The forest here is predominantly pine, oak, and beech. The terrain includes some rolling hills and a small grassy meadow, plus some wetlands and streams. Within the property, you will see various trees with numbers posted upon them. These are some of Francis Brewer’s original plantings. A guide posted at the kiosk near the entrance to More Brewer Park identifies these trees.

The wetlands and streams at this property flow into the Fresh River. The Fresh River joins with the Mill River/Herring Run Brook in Weymouth, and flows into the Weymouth Back River.

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, just south of Grape Island and Slate Island.