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Beaches

Nelson Memorial Park

255 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360, USA

Plymouth Parks & Forestry: 508-830-4162, ext. 12116

https://plymouthma.myrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=11289

Owned By: Town of Plymouth

The 3.9-acre Nelson Memorial Park in Plymouth is a beachfront playground with picnic tables, benches and a large grassy area. It features a small sandy beach, a launch ramp for canoes and kayaks, and a paved walking trail with a direct link to the Holmes Reservation and North Plymouth Rail Trail. Seasonal features include restrooms, concessions stand, splash pad. Stroller-friendly.

FISHING ADVISORY: It’s important to know that some of our 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.

You can sign up for water quality notifications for Plymouth’s public beaches and swimming ponds in the Public Health section of their website.

Features

This public park was renovated in the 2010s. A portion of this land was given to the Town of Plymouth in memory of the Nelson family.

This land is within the region of the Patuxet Wampanoag. To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Herring Pond Wampanoag and the Mashpee Wampanoag share information on their websites.

Trail Description

A short (0.2-mile) paved walking path extends from one end of the park to the other, along the beach. It connects directly to the mostly-paved, 1.2-mile North Plymouth Rail Trail.

Habitats and Wildlife

This park is located directly on Cape Cod Bay, and looks out across the water to Plymouth Long Beach. There is a small section of sandy beach, as well as a salt marsh. It is very common to see shore birds here throughout the year. Look for the osprey nest in the salt marsh. The park is most open and grassy, but there are also some shade trees.

  • A photograph of a granite property sign in a grassy park with a tree in the background.
  • A photograph of a splash pad in a park with scattered trees in the background.
  • A photograph of a grassy park with a picnic table in the foreground and a playground in the background.
  • A photograph of a concrete walkway bordered on one side with a grassy park and a row of stones on the other, plus ocean.
  • A photograph of a walkway leading to an ocean beach.
  • A photograph of a stream flowing into an ocean beach with a osprey platform in the distance.
255 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: Yes

Beach: Yes

Boat Launch: Yes

Lifeguards: No

Size: 3.9 acres

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: Ample on-site parking at 255 Water Street. Sticker not required. Additional parking on Water Street and Lothrop Street.

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Facilities:

Benches (some with shade coverings), picnic tables, trash and pet waste receptacles, playground, launch ramp for canoes and kayaks. Seasonal restrooms, splash pad, concession stand. Access to the North Plymouth Rail Trail.

Dogs: Dogs must remain on leash. Please clean up after your pet!

Boat Ramp: Launch ramp for small boats.

ADA Access: Yes

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Plymouth Harbor (Cape Cod Bay watershed)