Pond Meadow Park (Braintree, MA)

Dates Of Visits: August 4 & 5, 2018

Locations: 470 Liberty Street Braintree MA, 390 Summer Street, Weymouth, MA

Hours: Open daily year round from sunrise to sunset.   The entrance gates are open 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (or sunset) during the summer, and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (or sunset) during the winter

Cost: Free

Parking: There are two parking areas.  The main parking area at the address listed for the park is in Braintree.  There is another parking area in Weymouth as well.

From Weymouth, vehicle parking is available in the parking lot off Summer Street.  From Braintree, vehicle parking is available in the upper lots near the park office, and the lower lots near the start of the bike path.

There are about 5 or 6 parking spots in front of the gate in the Braintree entrance.  So you can park and enter the park before the gate is opened at that entrance.

Trail Size/Difficulty: 320 acres/easy difficulty

Highlights: wildlife, pond, easy trails, biking paths, benches, tents, benches, snow shoeing,cross country skiing,boating (non motorized), fishing

Website: Pond Meadow Park

Pond Meadow Park Trail Map

Since 1976, Pond Meadow Park has been a source for fun, adventure and beauty for generations in the Braintree and Weymouth (MA) area.

Initially built as a flood control project for the Weymouth Landing area, Pond Meadow officially opened as a park in May of 1976.  While the park has changed over the years, especially from its initial design as a flood prevention.  But the dam is still there.  In fact, you can actually walk along the dam.

There is beauty all around at Pond Meadow Park.

Benches with phrases on plaques attached to them for loved ones who have passed are located along the trails.  They are located in peaceful areas at the park.

While I was hiking the trails and taking my photographs, I met this nice lady who had an interesting story about this park.

Dawn has been coming to this park ever since she was a kid.  Her mom loved the park as well.  She still comes to the park regularly for a hike and to look at a bench.  It turns out the bench I was photographing and the plaque on it was dedicated to her mom.

She was kind enough to sit on the bench dedicated to her mother with her friend (possibly her significant other but I’m not one to assume) and her dog Toby, a 10 year old rescue Beagle.  “Always In Our Hearts” and Dawn’s mother’s name are inscribed on the plaque on the bench.  What a wonderful way to remember someone.

Along the trail near the entrance is a rock dedicated to Joseph D’Ambrosio, an avid cyclist and engineer who was instrumental in the development of the bike and walking trails at the park.  So, next time you are cycling along the trails at Pond Meadow, don’t forget to thank Joseph!

There is an abundance of wildlife at Pond Meadow.  During my visit I saw a swan,

a rabbit

A snake.  This is the “non deadly” North Atlantic Water Snake but it also bears a striking similarity to the venomous Water Moccasin.  They are both common to the New England area, although the North Atlantic Water Snake is more common.  And they do look similar.  So do be careful and don’t go trying to sneak up on them and photograph them.  Oops.

A frog

You don’t see the frog?  How about now?

How about now?

Don’t get too close to the other side of the pond, buddy.

And, of course some cute chipmunks, or this may very well be the same one in each photo for all I know.

A pretty butterfly

and, of course, there were also Canadian Geese and ducks at the park.

There were some other cute animals there as well.  The trails at the park are easy with very few inclines for your dog to walk and play on (try the Ranger Trail if you do go).  The dogs below had a wonderful time on the trails.

Lincoln is a one and a half year old Boxer.

Molly is a 2 year old mixed breed dog.

Oakley (on the left) is a 4 and a half month old Golden Retriever and Cooper (on the right) is a 6 month old Chocolate Labrador.