Abigail Adams State Park

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

(617) 727-5293

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

Owned By: Commonwealth of Massachusetts

• Directions

Abigail Adams State Park in Weymouth features 0.7-mile paved walking trail along the Weymouth Back River. It is a convenient spot to launch your canoe or kayak. Stroller-friendly. Part of the Back River Trail. Extend your visit by following the trail to the Kibby Property next door. This property is featured in South Shore Quests.

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

Part of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation’s (DCR) Back River Reservation, this property was formerly a car dealership and a marine dredging operation. It was dedicated in 2003 and fully established as a park 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. 

Follow the Back River Watershed Association for more information about the Weymouth Back River.

Trail Description

A wide, 0.7-mile paved walking trail extends along the edge of the Weymouth Back River and connects with the Kibby Property, which offers an additional trail loop. Someday Abigail Adams Park will connect directly, via a boardwalk under Route 3A, to Great Esker Park!

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.