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Town Parks & Monuments

French’s Common

French's Common, John F Kennedy Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA, USA

Town of Braintree: 781-794-8000

https://braintreema.myrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=11623

Owned By: Town of Braintree

French’s Common is Braintree’s oldest open space area. Located next to Town Hall, the large grassy park features a baseball field, a basketball court, a playground, tennis courts, and picnic tables. Look for the archway on Washington Street, which marks the pedestrian entrance.

Features

This town park has been in use since the beginning of the 20th century. The playground includes a climbing structure, bouncers, swings, and benches, with wood chips underfoot.

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 Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag shares information on its website.

 

Habitats and Wildlife

This park is open a grassy with some maple and oak trees. It is located within the watershed of the Monatiquot River.

The Monatiquot River rises in Braintree, at the confluence of the Farm and Cochato Rivers, within the Braintree Municipal Golf Course. It flows northeast for 4.9 miles before merging with Smelt Brook to form the Fore River.

The Fore River serves as the boundary between the towns of Weymouth and Braintree. It flows for about 3 miles, into Quincy, where it meets Town River, and then flows for another 2 miles into Hingham Bay. In its final few miles, the Fore River is nearly a mile wide in some places.

Follow the Fore River Watershed Association more information about the Monatiquot and Fore Rivers.

  • A photograph of a property sign on a fence with a baseball field in the background.
  • A photograph of a gateway arch for French's Common, with grass and trees.
  • A photograph of a bench on a lawn beside a baseball field.
  • A photograph of a baseball field with a brick building in the background.
  • A photograph of a bench on a grassy field.
  • A photograph of a grassy field with a row of ornamental trees.
  • A photograph of a basketball court within a grassy park.
  • A photograph of a playground within a grassy park.
  • A photograph of a play structure within a playground.
  • A photograph of picnic tables and shade trees within a grassy park.
  • A photograph of a chid's bouncer, with a lady bug design, within a playground.
  • A photograph of a play structure beside a grassy field with trees in the background.
French's Common, John F Kennedy Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: Yes

Beach: No

Boat Launch: No

Lifeguards: No

Size: 7 acres

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: Park at Braintree Town Hall (1 JFK Memorial Drive)

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Facilities:

Baseball, basketball and tennis facilities, a playground with wood chips underfoot, benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles.

Dogs: No

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: No

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Monatiquot River (Fore River watershed)

Other Things to Do at This Site

Picnic Tables
Playgrounds