Mildred Cushing Woods - North and South Rivers Watershed Association

63 Cushing St, Hingham, MA 02043, USA

Owned By: Town of Hingham

Mildred Cushing Woods is a 19-acre woodland in Hingham that features about a mile of trails, with numerous access points on Cushing Pond. This a a great place to fish or paddle, or just to enjoy views of the water! Launch a canoe or kayak from the edge of the pond at Cushing Street.

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

Mildred Cushing, a resident of the area and a longtime member of the Conservation Commission, donated this land to the town.

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 and the Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett share information on their websites.

Trail Description

A 0.47-mile trail extends from the informal parking area near 63 Cushing Street, along the eastern edge of the pond. It eventually crosses a small stream and ends on private property (look for the granite post). On the western edge of the pond, there is a 0.1-mile trail that climbs a hill and offers a nice view.

There is an additional access point at 26 Cushing Street, with another half mile of trails through the woods.

Habitats and Wildlife

The woodlands were are primarily pine and beech, with plenty of ferns and blueberry shrubs. There are some rocky outcroppings scattered throughout. The Plymouth River and the Eel River flow together just upstream of this property. The stream they create passes through Cushing Pond, emerging on the other side with a new name, Crooked Meadow River. Crooked Meadow River joins with Fulling Mill Brook to create the Weir River.

The Weir River flows north through Hingham, with Tower Brook and Accord Brook joining it in its first mile. It gradually turns northeast and flows for another 1.4 miles, through Weir River Farm and eventually into Foundry Pond. The Weir River Estuary, designated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an Area of Critical Concern, begins just below the manmade dam at the pond. The mile-wide estuary — with numerous acres of undisturbed salt marsh — forms the border between Hingham and Hull, and empties into Hingham Bay. For more information about the Weir River, follow the Weir River Watershed Association.