Great Esker Park

Great Esker Park
Looking up the Weymouth Back River from Great Esker Park, the esker is the tree-covered low ridge on the right.
Map
TypeUrban park
LocationWeymouth, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°14′12″N 70°55′47″W / 42.23667°N 70.92972°W / 42.23667; -70.92972
Area237 acres (96 ha)

Great Esker Park is located in Weymouth, Massachusetts. The park mostly consists of a geological formation known as a winding ridge of stratified sand and gravel formed by a glacier 12,000 years ago. It is located along the Weymouth Back River, across from Bare Cove Park in Hingham, Massachusetts.[1]

The park features the highest esker in North America (90 ft), reversing falls, salt marshes, six miles (10 km) of trails, a playground and picnic area. Bird watching is a popular activity as osprey, great blue heron, red-tailed hawks, owls, and other species of birds are abundant seasonally. There are man-made shelters on the river where Osprey nest in the spring and summer months.

In the summer months the park is used by Wey-Rec for children's programs.[clarification needed]

  1. ^ "Hiking Trails for Day Hikes out of Boston". Appalachian Mountain Club Boston Chapter Local Walks/Hikes Committee. Retrieved 2012-08-04.