The centerpiece of Blackwater Memorial Forest, 46 acres, is a retired cranberry bog, now returning to its natural state. Other features include a 0.7-mile loop trail, a pond, a level bog, and several spur trails into the forest. Sampson’s Brook, a headwater to the Jones River, finds its source in springs at the edge of the bog.

This property was acquired by the Town of Kingston with Community Preservation funding, as well as Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity grant funds. It was slated for development, and purchased by the town in December 2021. A donation from the Ruffini Trust created the parking area.

The MA Division of Ecological Restoration, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Kingston Highway Department, and the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project worked together to restore this site to a more natural state. The informational kiosk on-site provides details about this fascinating process.

This land is within the region of the Wampanoag tribe.

According to signage on site, this section of Kingston is known as Blackwater, probably because of the heavily tannic water found in Atlantic white cedar swamps and bogs nearby. Many of these wetlands areas were deforested and filled in before the adoption of the Clean Water Act in 1972. These bogs and swamps also provided a source of bog iron, producing such items as Revolutionary War cannonballs.

Sampson’s Brook was dammed to create an impoundment and agricultural bog for cranberries, most recently owned by Frederick Carlson in the mid-2000s. Some cranberry-related structures still exist on the property. The dam was removed as part of the restoration.

Be mindful of hunting seasons, and wear bright orange if you’re entering the property during those times.

A loop trail extends for 0.72 miles around the bog, pond, and associated wetlands. If you start to the right, after 0.13 miles, you will arrive at an intersection. Turn left to complete a short loop around the bog (0.31 mile total). Or continue straight for the full 0.72-mile loop. In addition, numerous spur trails meander into the woods. Pretty much all of these end at the property’s boundaries. Some include moderate to significant hills.