Typical trail at Web Memorial Park, part of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

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William Web Memorial Park Main Page

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Length: 1.2-mile loop
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy

A triple loop trail that begins at the far end of the west parking lot takes visitors around William Web Memorial State Park, one of the mainland-based units of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. The trails are wide and smooth with a finely crushed gravel surface; a short section is paved. This is perfect for leisurely strolls with friends, as you can walk side by side without having to worry about tripping over rocks and roots. The terrain is easy to hike, but not completely flat. Those in wheelchairs should be able to make it around, if not on their own, with a little help.

William Web Memorial Park trail map (click to enlarge)

During my visit in early August, I did not encounter mosquitoes or any other annoying insects even though a sign in the parking lot warns of mosquitoes. I did, however, visit on a very windy day, which tends to drive off flying insects. Ticks also live in the park, but as long as you stay on the official trails you shouldn’t have any problems. Furthermore, the trail is out in the open, so wear a hat and apply sunscreen if avoiding the sun is important to you.

I hiked around the park in the counterclockwise direction starting on what I will call the South Loop. To do so, take the right fork from the parking lot.

Start of a counterclockwise hike around Web Memorial Park, part of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

In less than a hundred yards is a picnic area with a half dozen tables and a grill. The building to the right is the restroom.

Picnic area on the east side of the South Loop at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

There are a number of mowed swaths through the grass that lead to the shore. Swimming is not listed as an activity on the Massachusetts State Park web page for Web Memorial, but I did see a number of people sitting on the beach. It is a gravel beach, so you need either tough feet or shoes to enjoy yourself.

Path to the shore of Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Relaxing along Boston Harbor on the shore of Web Memorial Park

There are also a few grassy trails that cut into the interior of the loop. I’m not sure what the purpose is, other than being shortcuts to the other side. Being in shorts and not wanting to deal with potential insects living in the vegetation, I opted to remain on the gravel path.

Trail cuts into the interior of the South Loop at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

At .3 mile from the start is the end of the South Loop. A field with two picnic tables and a bench marks the spot. You can cut the hike short and return to the parking lot by taking a left, or continue straight to hike what I will call the North Loop.

North end of the South Loop at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Staghorn sumac flanks many areas of the trail. This bush has clusters of red berries that can be ground up to make a lemony spice. It is related to poison sumac, but does not have the irritating oils.

Staghorn Sumac bush

Staghorn Sumac flower

Just past the end of the South Loop is the start of the North Loop. Take a right at the fork to continue the hike in the counterclockwise direction.

Start of the North Loop at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

There are three memorials along the North Loop. The first you come to is for Donald Haviland, a commander in the Merchant Marines who was killed while transporting Norwegian war refugees from northern Russia in February 1945. His ship was attacked by German aircraft and sunk. With the lifeboats full, Haviland gave up his spot to one of the refugees and went down with the ship. He posthumously received the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal.

Donald Haviland Memorial at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Next up is the Grape Island Alarm Memorial. It is from this area that Patriot militiamen fired cannon on British ships loading hay on Loyalist-owned Grape Island, which can be seen in the background when facing the inscription side of the monument. After driving off the ships, the men rowed out to the island and burned the barn and eighty tons of hay. This was the second armed conflict of the American Revolution; it is known as the Grape Island Alarm.

Grape Island Alarm Memorial at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Grape Island Alarm Memorial at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

A third memorial is located at the very tip of the North Loop, .6 mile from the parking lot. It is dedicated to Domenic Sansone, a prominent civic leader of Weymouth. There are a number of picnic tables and benches in this area as well, plus nice views of the bay.

Domenic Sansone Memorial at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Picnic table at the northern tip of Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

When you get back to the North Loop-South Loop intersection, stay right to continue the hike on the western side of the South Loop. There is another path that leads to the gravel beach along a cove, and this time I actually saw a women in a swimsuit, so maybe people do swim here. However, there is no official swimming beach with lifeguards at Web Memorial Park.

Cove on the northwest side of Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

This half of the South Loop is paved, and it also heads up a slight hill. Prior to this point the terrain was nearly flat.

Paved path and hilly terrain at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

At .9 mile into the hike is the start of the third loop, which I will call the West Loop. It juts out to the west and circles around the site of a Cold War-era Nike Missile Launch facility (nothing remains). The loop is a quarter mile long, and if you want to take it, keep to the right. If you want to get back to the parking lot, take a left at the fork. The trail surface reverts back to gravel at this point. I took the trail to the West Loop.

Intersection of the South and West loop at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Not too far down from the intersection are a few benches and nice views towards Peddocks Island (you can also see Grape Island).

View of Peddocks and Grape islands from Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

At the far end of the loop is the John H. Cole Memorial. Cole wasn’t a politician or a war hero, just the neighborhood Good Samaritan. He must have been really well liked, because his memorial is the largest in the park. This is the first time I’ve seen a memorial for a genuine do-gooder.

John H. Cole Memorial at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

The only point of interest from the Cole Memorial back to the parking lot is another picnic area located on the west side of the South Loop. This one has a covered pavilion and can be reserved for events. The parking lot is just one hundred yards away. To make a reservation, visit the Reserve America website.

Picnic area on the west side of the South Loop at Web Memorial Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

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