A 105-acre town preserve combining Cato's Ridge Conservation Area, Churchill Park, and O'Neil Marsh, centered on a 600-foot boardwalk over Jones River Brook whose planks are inscribed with donor names and memories.
What to expect
Parking
Free lot free · unconfirmed
Dogs
Dogs must be under the owner's control at all times. No specific leash requirement is stated on this preserve's own rules page, unlike Two Brooks Preserve which explicitly requires a leash.
Hours
Two town pages give conflicting phrasing: the preserve's rules-and-policies page posts "Open Dusk to Dawn," while the preserve's overview page states "The Preserve is open every day from dawn to dusk." Both are quoted here rather than…
Managed by
Plympton Conservation Commission and Plympton Open Space Committee
781-317-9317 · WebsiteWhat's here
On site
Benches
Benches built into the 600-foot boardwalk.
Common questions
Is it safe to hike here during hunting season?
Churchill Park and O'Neil Marsh are marked as safety zones where hunting isn't allowed, but the Cato's Ridge section itself does permit in-season hunting, so wearing bright orange there is a good idea.
What's the story behind the boardwalk?
It's 600 feet long, fitted with benches, and built from about 1,200 planks, many inscribed with family names and remembrances from people who helped fund it.
Where do I park at Cato's Ridge Preserve?
Free lot (free).
Are there trails at Cato's Ridge Preserve?
Yes.
Is there an entry fee at Cato's Ridge Preserve?
No, entry is free.
Can I bring my dog to Cato's Ridge Preserve?
Dogs must be under the owner's control at all times. No specific leash requirement is stated on this preserve's own rules page, unlike Two Brooks Preserve which explicitly requires a leash.
What rules should I know at Cato's Ridge Preserve?
Hunting is permitted in season in the Cato's Ridge section; wear orange in the woods during that period. No motorized vehicles. No fires or camping. "Take only memories, leave only footprints": no removal of natural features. No trapping at any time; no hunting on Sundays or from the boardwalk.