Great Esker Park
| Great Esker Park | |
|---|---|
_end_July_2012.jpg) Looking up the Weymouth Back River from Great Esker Park, the esker is the tree-covered low ridge on the right. | |
 | |
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Weymouth, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates | 42°14′12″N 70°55′47″W / 42.23667°N 70.92972°W |
| Area | 237 acres (96 ha) |
Great Esker Park consists mostly of a geological formation known as an esker (a winding ridge of stratified sand and gravel) formed by a glacier 12,000 years ago. It is along the Weymouth Back River in Weymouth and across the river from Bare Cove Park in Hingham.[1] The park's gate keeper, "Back River Bob", sits at the end of puritan road.
The park features the highest esker in North America (90 ft), reversing falls, salt marshes, six miles (10 km) of trails, a playground and picnic area. Bird watching is a popular activity as osprey, great blue heron, red-tailed hawks, owls, and other species of birds are abundant seasonally. There are man-made shelters on the river where Osprey nest in the spring and summer months.
In the summer months the park is used by Wey-Rec for children's programs.
The main parking area is located at the end of Elva Road with additional parking off of Bridge Street (3A) and Puritan Road.
See also
References
- ^ "Hiking Trails for Day Hikes out of Boston". Appalachian Mountain Club Boston Chapter Local Walks/Hikes Committee. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
External links
- Weymouth Back River Reservation map
- Weymouth's Great Esker park, an interesting geological formation along the Back River
- Great Esker Park in Weymouth
- Back River Bob-Obituary
