Webb Memorial State Park

a short wooden bridge over an outgrowth of plants leads to a gravel path with a hill covered with brush in the background.

Boston Harbor Now, Liz Cook

Walking trails lead through flowering trees and shaded picnic areas to excellent fishing locations.

Accessible via Weymouth Neck, Webb Memorial State Park extends into Hingham Bay. This peninsula offers visitors beautiful scenes of the Harbor, trails to enjoy, and picnic areas to gather.

 

General Information

This island of Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

 

Visitor Facilities & Services

Hours:
 Sunrise-Sunset
Piers/Docks:
 No
Visitor season:
 Year Round
Boat slips:
 0
Visitor staff:
 No
Moorings:
 0
Guided tours:
 No
Park boats:
 N/A
Lifeguards:
 No
Car access:
 Yes
Flush toilets:
 Yes
Campsites:
 0 (capacity ea: 0
Composting toilets:
 No
Group campsites:
 0 (capacity ea: 0)
Picnic areas:
 Yes
Camping capacity:
 0
Refreshments:
 No
Cooking grills:
 Yes
Drinking water:
 Yes
Walking trails:
 Yes

On-island Circulation: There are several unimproved trails on the island.

 

Short History

For thousands of years, local Indigenous communities accessed this land as a seasonal campsite. After European colonization, settlers likely used this land for farming and grazing. In the 1860s the site became part of the Bradley Fertilizer factory and was used for dumping industrial waste. In the 1950s the property was owned by the U.S. Government to house NIKE missiles in underground silos, and was one of approximately ten sites in the Boston area controlled from Hog Island (now Spinnaker). Military use ended in 1977 and the site was transferred to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since this time, the site has been reconfigured to serve as parkland.

 

Natural History Overview

Vegetation

The peninsula contains a mix of successional vegetation, mowed meadow and turf areas, and ornamental tree and shrub plantings.

Wildlife

Please see Animals page for more information.

Geology

Webb is a peninsula that extends into Hingham Bay and is composed of three connected drumlins and a low marsh area. At low tide a narrow-dredged channel separates the mudflats at the tip of Webb from those of Grape Island.

Water Features

Fresh water is piped into the buildings at the southern end of the property. There is a marsh area.

Views and Vistas

Views of Grape and Slate Islands.

 

Structures

  • DEM building
    • Maintenance garage
    • Public restrooms
  • Edward T. Henley Memorial Assembly Building
  • South Shore Association for Retarded Citizens building
  • Picnic shelter

  • None

  • John H. Cole Memorial Outlook
  • Alarm of Grape Island Monument
  • Parking lot
  • Fences
  • Picnic tables

Last updated: November 30, 2023

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

15 State Street
4th Floor
Boston, MA 02109

Phone:

617 223-8666

Contact Us

Tools

Stay Connected