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Beaches

Sunset Lake

Safford St, Braintree, MA 02184, USA

Town of Braintree: 781-794-8000

https://braintreema.myrec.com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=7967

Owned By: Town of Braintree

Sunset Lake is a scenic park in South Braintree designed for fishing, paddling, and seasonal swimming. Facilities include a gazebo, picnic tables, a playground, a launch for non-motorized boats, and seasonal restrooms. There is an additional non-motorized boat launch at Braintree High School.

Fishing is permitted only off the deep side wall of Sunset Lake, beyond the sail boat piers, or from a boat in the lake beyond the swim lines. Fishing is not permitted off the sail boat piers while classes are in session.

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

According to the Braintree Trail Guide, Sunset Lake was known in earlier times as Little Pond (in contrast to Great Pond, the town reservoir). It has been served as a recreational area since the late 1800s.

The playground features swings and a slide, as well as climbing and play structures, with wood chips as a surface. Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty. Please observe all posted park rules.

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

No trails, but the park offers ample space to walk around.

Habitats and Wildlife

The state stocks the 57-acre Sunset Lake with brown and rainbow trout each spring. Other species observed here include eastern pond mussel, swans, ducks, Canada geese, and great blue herons. Do not feed the waterfowl. There are a few oaks, maples and pitch pines on the property, as well as several shaded areas.

Sunset Lake is part of the Monatiquot River watershed. A stream flows south from the southwestern corner of the lake into the Monatiquot.

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.

  • A photograph of a property entrance and sign, with a parking area in the background.
  • A photograph of a bench on a sandy area under a tree, beside a lake.
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  • A photograph of a gazebo on a sandy area beside a lake.
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  • A photograph of a sandy area beside a lake with two trees and a bench.
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  • A photograph of a shaded area for picnic tables, and a blue building, on a sandy lakefront.
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  • A photograph from inside a gazebo looking out over a parking area.
  • A photograph of a lake with a tree in the foreground.
Safford St, Braintree, MA 02184, USA

Historic Site: No

Park: Yes

Beach: Yes

Boat Launch: Yes

Lifeguards: Lifeguards in season.

Size: 6 acres

Hours: 10am to 7pm

Parking: Ample on-site parking for Braintree residents.

Cost: Free

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Facilities:

Benches, bicycle rack, gazebo, picnic tables, non-motorized boat ramp, playground, volleyball court, trash receptacles, seasonal restrooms.

Dogs: No

Boat Ramp: No

ADA Access: Yes

Scenic Views: Yes

Waterbody/Watershed: Monatiquot River (Fore River watershed)

Other Things to Do at This Site

Fishing
Nature Photography
Paddling
Picnic Tables
Playgrounds
Town Parks & Monuments