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Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation AreaMinutes Away. Worlds Apart.
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Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Island Facts: Webb Memorial State Park
 

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


 
Short History
Pre-historic evidence indicates that Webb was a seasonal campsite for Native Americans. After European contact, the site was likely used 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.
 

General Information
This island of Boston Harbor Islands national park area is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Agency Designation:  Webb Memorial State Park
Current Use:  Park purposes
Harbor Location:  Hingham Bay
Acreage:  36.00 upland acres
Longitude: 42° 15' 51.8" North
Latitude:
70° 55' 30.5" West
Miles from Long Wharf:  10.33
 
Visitor Facilities & Services
Hours:
Piers/Docks:
No
Visitor season:
0
Boat slips:
0
Visitor staff:
No
Moorings:
0
Guided tours:
No
Park boats:
None
Lifeguards:
No
Car access:
No
Flush toilets:
No
Campsites:
0 (capacity ea: 0
Composting toilets:
No
Group campsites:
0 (capacity ea: 0)
Picnic areas:
No
Camping capacity:
0
Refreshments:
No
Cooking grills:
No
Drinking water:
Yes
Walking trails:
No

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

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

Wildlife
Survey in progress.

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
Buildings
  • DEM building
    • Maintenance garage
    • Public restrooms
  • Edward T. Henley Memorial Assembly Building
  • South Shore Association for Retarded Citizens building
  • Picnic shelter
Fortifications
  • None
Other Structures
  • John H. Cole Memorial Outlook
  • Alarm of Grape Island Monument
  • Parking lot
  • Fences
  • Picnic tables

Comments
The property is accessible by Weymouth Neck and contains parking.

Webb Memorial State Park Map
Map of Webb Memorial
Open PDF of Webb Memorial.
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Burrage Hospital on Bumpkin Island  

Did You Know?
Clarence Burrage was a philanthropist who established the Hospital for Crippled Children on Bumpkin Island in 1902. It was one of the first facilities with ramps instead of stairs. Though it burned in 1945, the remains can be seen today at Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.
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Last Updated: December 19, 2008 at 19:18 EST