Carriage road in World’s End, part of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
World’s End is one of four peninsula parks within Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. It is owned by the non-profit organization The Trustees of Reservations, and there is a fee to enter for non-Trustees members. See the Trustees’ World’s End web page for the current admission price.
Like many of the other peninsula parks within the National Recreation Area, World’s End—technically the land mass at the north end of the park—was once an island. While a sandbar always connected it to the mainland at low tide, the damming of the salt marsh by early farmers eventually caused a buildup of silt that formed a permanent connecting neck.
World’s End (click to enlarge)
World’s End has the most extensive trail system of any unit with Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, though most are gravel carriage roads. The roads date back to the 1880s when businessman John Brewer hired landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted to design a residential community on the land. Only the carriage roads were completed.
Other activities at the park include fishing, horseback riding, bird watching, and mountain bike riding on the carriage roads. In the winter the park is open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Picnicking is also welcome, though there are no picnic tables or grills. There are, however, plenty of open fields where you can sit and have a picnic.
World’s End is open daily from 8 AM to sunset. See the following web pages for more information on the activities at the park:
Deer at World’s End, part of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
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Last updated on January 24, 2024
