Smith Beach - North and South Rivers Watershed Association

176 Edgehill Rd, Braintree, MA 02184, USA

Owned By: Town of Braintree

Smith Beach is a small sandy beach on the Fore River in Braintree. It is also known as Swift’s Beach and Lt. G. Murray Smith Beach. It is part of the Monatiquot River Walk (1 mile). A walking trail along the edge of the marsh leads to Watson Park, next door. Fishing is permitted only in the area beyond the west end jetty.

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

Smith Beach is open 7 hours daily, depending on the tides. See the posted schedule at the beach weekly to find out when the lifeguard will be on duty. Swimming when the lifeguards are not on duty is not permitted. Dogs are not permitted at Smith Beach.

Canoe/kayak access is not recommended here, due to swift and unpredictable currents. Instead, consider the Weymouth Landing Access Ramp, across the river (about a mile away by car), on Commercial Street in Weymouth, which provides river access in a safer spot.

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.

Trail Description

From the beach area, look to the right. There is a sign that marks the start of the Monatiquot River Walk. This first section of the 1-mile pathway is known as the Francis Toland Memorial Trail. It connects to Watson Park. The next section of the path is known as Lee’s Way. It extends through Watson Park and then follows the river to the edge of the property, making a sharp turn inland just before the Braintree Yacht Club. After winding between some tennis and basketball courts, and a baseball field, the River Walk turns uphill, opening to the sidewalk on Gordon Road. (This is the halfway point — about 0.5 miles.)

The path continues along Gordon Road to Quincy Ave. Turn left on Quincy Ave., follow the sidewalk across the river, and then look for the continuation of the River Walk just behind the bus shelter at the MBTA Commuter Rail parking lot (you have now walked approx. 0.37 miles of sidewalk). The River Walk zigzags downhill, past the East Braintree/Weymouth Landing MBTA station, and then continues along Smelt Brook and the Fore River for another 0.2 miles, ending at the Weymouth Landing Access Ramp on Commercial Street in Weymouth.

Dogs and bicycles are not permitted on the Francis Toland Memorial Trail, which connects Smith Beach to Watson Park.

Habitats and Wildlife

Smith Beach is an open sandy area at the edge of the Fore River. Please do not feed the waterfowl!

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 line 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.