Great Esker Park
Great Esker Park | |
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Looking up the Weymouth Back River from Great Esker Park, the esker is the tree-covered low ridge on the right. | |
Type | Urban park |
Location | Weymouth, Massachusetts |
Coordinates | 42°14′12″N 70°55′47″W / 42.23667°N 70.92972°WCoordinates: 42°14′12″N 70°55′47″W / 42.23667°N 70.92972°W |
Area | 237 acres (96 ha) |
Great Esker Park consists mostly of a geological formation known as an esker (a winding ridge of stratified sand and gravel) formed by a glacier 12,000 years ago. It is along the Weymouth Back River in Weymouth and across the river from Bare Cove Park in Hingham.[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.
The main parking area is located at the end of Elva Road with additional parking off of Bridge Street (3A) and Puritan Road.
See also
References
- ↑ "Hiking Trails for Day Hikes out of Boston". Appalachian Mountain Club Boston Chapter Local Walks/Hikes Committee. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
External links
- Weymouth Back River Reservation map
- Weymouth's Great Esker park, an interesting geological formation along the Back River
- Great Esker Park in Weymouth