More-Brewer Park is a hilltop meadow plus a network of trails around Brewer Pond, just some of the features of this 112-acre Hingham Conservation property. Combined with Brewer Reservation across the street, there are nearly 5 miles of trails and carriage paths to explore here. Consider Brewer Pond for ice skating in the winter.

Francis Brewer was the son of John R. Brewer, who maintained a farm at World’s End in the 1800s. In 1884, Francis began purchasing grazing land of his own in this area, then known as Great Hill. He married, established a sheep farm, constructed a home, and raised his family there. In 1921, the poet Brookes More purchased the estate. His daughter Katherine More would eventually marry Dr. Wilmon Brewer, the son of Francis. In 1980, they donated 107 acres of their Great Hill estate to the Hingham Conservation Commission. The Estate of Gertrud Higgins donated another 5 acres in 2006.

The stone foundation of the estate’s (c. 1889) great barn remains on the property. In addition, along the trail through Bear Swamp, look for the remains of a foundation that was once a cottage inhabited by Bootleg Charlie. Brookes More wrote a poem about him.

According to Looking Backward by Wilmon Brewer, Francis Brewer was especially interested in trees. In 1880, he established the Hingham Tree Association, a tree nursery at the corner of Hobart and New Bridge Streets. He led an effort to plan Linden trees and Norway maples at various spots around town and is known as the town’s first Tree Warden. His intention was to plant all of the species that could grow in Hingham’s climate. Within the park, you will see various trees with numbers posted on them. These are some of Brewer’s original plantings. A guide posted at the kiosk near the park entrance identifies these trees.

The forest here is predominantly pine, with some larch, oak, maple, dogwood, pitch pine, birch, and cedar. In addition to the woodlands, there is a large hilltop meadow, plus some wetlands and streams. Within the park, you will see various trees with numbers posted on them. These are some of Francis Brewer’s original plantings. A guide posted at the kiosk near the park entrance identifies these trees.

Brewer Pond is formed by a dam. Its waters, as well as those of the wetlands that surround it, flow into the Fresh River. The Fresh River joins with the Mill River/Herring Run Brook in Weymouth and flows into the Weymouth Back River.

Francis Brewer, son of John R. Brewer, spent happy boyhood days on his father’s World End Farm; and possibly inspired by that experience began in 1884 to purchase sheep grazing land at Great Hill. He originally planned to create a park and give it to the town. Instead, he married, built a house and farm buildings, and raised a family there. In the spring of 1921, Brookes More, a poet purchased the Great Hill estate. His daughter, Katherine More, eventually married Francis Brewer’s son, Wilmon Brewer, also a poet.

Nearly a century after Francis Brewer began buying the land, his original intent was fulfilled by an act of uncommon generosity when, in 1980, Dr. and Mrs. Wilmon Brewer gave the Higham Conservation Commission 107 acres of the Great Hill estate. Combined with the previously acquired 31.4 acres to the north and the 48.1 acres of Brewer Reservation earlier given by the Brewer family, the park totals 186.5 acres of varied land, much of it interlaced with winding carriage paths.

An outstanding feature is a spacious meadow, surrounded by pine. Larch and dogwood. Brewer Pond, gorgeous when water lilies are in bloom, and the more secluded Ice House Pond, provides habitats for many creatures. Other features include a trail through Bear Swamp and the foundation of the tiny cottage of Bootleg Charlie, immortalized in Brookes More’s poetry.

In 2006, the protection of Bear Swamp was enhanced by a 5-acre gift from the Estate of Gertrude Higgins. The 112-acre park provides access to Hobart Street and New Bridge Street. Parking is located along Hobart Street.

Cranberry Pond located south of More Brewer Park and west of Brewer Reservation was once a cranberry bog known as Bouve Pond. The Cranberry Pond area is a 13.8-acre preserver that attracts ice skaters and waterfowl. Parking is located along French Street.

From the parking area, follow the trail into the woods. Just beyond the informational kiosk, you have options. Continue uphill to the grassy hilltop portion of the property, or bear to the left to follow an old carriage road to Brewer Pond and the forest/wetland section of the property. Both are very appealing! Another pond, Ice House Pond, is more remote.

The hilltop trail loop extends for 0.5 miles. The trail network by the pond offers various loop options plus spur trails to Old Hobart Street, the South Shore Country Club, and the Fresh River. There are 2-3 miles of trails in this section, a combination of old carriage roads and narrower footpaths. Some are lined with gravel.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at More-Brewer Park.