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Paved Trails

Osprey Overlook Park

87 Wharf St, Weymouth, MA 02189, USA

Weymouth Parks/Trees/Grounds: (781) 337-5100

https://www.weymouth.ma.us/planning-community-development/pages/osprey-overlook-park

Owned By: Town of Weymouth

Once a landfill, Weymouth’s Osprey Overlook Park is a scenic public property with stunning views of the Back River. Part of the Back River Trail system, with a direct link to Great Esker Park. Paved trails offer access for all. There are also some unpaved trails, including a 0.6-mile loop. Extend your walk into Great Esker Park next door, where there are an additional 6+ miles of trails. Stroller-friendly.

Features

Osprey Overlook Park was constructed in 2016 and 2017. A recovered natural setting, it is a park built on top of a capped landfill. It was created with Community Preservation funds, as well as a grant from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). An interpretative panel provides information about the osprey that fish and nest along the Back River.

Weymouth’s town incinerator was constructed here in 1965. However it ceased operations in 1976, due to regulations set forth in the Clean Air Act. The site remained active as a transfer station through the 1990s and was capped and closed in 2000. The landfill is now sealed by a protective membrane and vented by pipes. The smokestack was removed in 2022. Future improvements include the addition of a picnic area, and the expansion of the parking area and trail system.

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

Osprey Overlook Park is part of the Weymouth Back River Trail, a comprehensive community trail that — upon completion — will run the length of the Back River. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.

This property offers a paved 0.15-mile trail for easy to moderate walking. It links directly to Great Esker Park, to the north. There is also a 0.6-mile unpaved trail.

Habitats and Wildlife

This is an open, grassy park that borders the salt marsh and the Back River. Watch for osprey from early spring through early fall. Also known as fish hawks, they return to the Back River every year to hatch new chicks. Their large nests, built of sticks, are typically situated atop bare trees, utility poles, channel markers, and other uncluttered tall points. They are easy to spot! It is common to see osprey diving into the river for fish. They love the Back River because of its abundant herring population.

The 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.

  • A photograph of a paved trail leading uphill through a grassy area with some power lines.
  • A photograph of a roadway and a small paved parking area.
  • A photograph of a river on a sunny day with green marshes surrounding it and trees in the distance.
  • A photograph of a river and salt marsh with three white birds.
  • A photograph of a paved trail and a property sign.
  • A photograph of cormorants on a river with marsh in the background.
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  • A photograph of two birds fighting over a fish, over a river with marsh in the background.
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  • A photograph of birds on a river with salt marsh in the background.
  • A photograph of a dirt trail with grass bordering it, a boulder, and a property sign.
  • A photograph of birds on a river with salt marsh in the background.
  • A photograph of a bench overlooking a green and gold marsh on a sunny day.
  • A photograph of birds flying over a river with marsh in the background.
  • A photograph of a river and marsh in winter.
  • A photograph of a paved trail across a green and gold hill.
  • A photograph of white birds in a marsh.
  • A photograph of numerous small birds in a bare shrub.
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  • A photograph of a large flock of geese in flight.
87 Wharf St, Weymouth, MA 02189, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: Yes

Beach: No

Boat Launch: No

Lifeguards: No

Size: 33.1 acres

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Parking: Limited on-site parking on Wharf Street. Additional access from Great Esker Park (with large parking lot on Elva Road).

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy, Medium

Facilities:

Interpretive panels, benches, trash receptacles. Geocache location.

Dogs: Dogs must remain on leash.

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: Yes

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Weymouth Back River watershed

Other Things to Do at This Site

Grassy Walks
Hiking