Burns Memorial Park
Created by: Eleanor Kilham
Location: Opposite 101 Hersey Street, Hingham
Time: 30 minutes
Conditions: Slightly hilly and root-studded trails
Dogs: On leash and waste picked up
Parking: Park in front of the old DPW building at 101 Hersey Street. Parking available for three to four cars in paved lot.
Look over the corrugated metal garage door for a sign cast in cement. Take the first letter of the third word and put it in BOX #3. Just below the town name in faded letters stenciled on a rusted, rounded, metal pipe are two words. Put the first letter of the first word in BOX #8 and the second letter in BOX #13.
Carefully cross the street and with your back to the DPW building, go left up the street. Shortly, you will approach a staircase set into the embankment between two wooden fences. At the bottom of the staircase to the left is a massive tree. Its girth tells you that it is quite old. What kind of tree is it? Put the third letter (of five) in BOX#6. Now, count the steps going up. How many are there? Put the second letter of this number in BOX #s 4 and 12.The sign posted to the right of the staircase at the top is emblazoned with the name of this park. Examine the back side of it. An Eagle Scout has worked on this trail. Put the fourth letter of his first name in BOX # 14. Put the second letter of the first word following the scout’s full name in BOX #7.
A certain number of vertical posts support the fence on the left hand side of the pathway. Count them. Put the last letter of this number in BOX #5.
You will shortly come to a trail kiosk on your right which houses a trail map. There are three words printed in large, black letters. The last word denotes the type of land space this is. Put the last letter of this word in BOX # 10. At the bottom of the trail map is a bar indicating distance. What units of measurement denote these distances? Put the first letter of this word (beneath the bar) in BOX #11. Be sure to read the information about this property on the back side of the trail kiosk as a large, historic gathering was once held here in 1834.
To the left is yet another sign posted high on a pole. Put the first letter of the first word in BOX #1. Just beyond this sign, you will see a blaze on a tree on your left. What color is it? Put the last letter of this color in BOX #2.
Now, walk along the trail and when you enter a grove of white pines note that you can take a short loop to the right if you choose. It’s hard to spot but if you take it, it will join the same trail you are on further along. For now, walk down slope and at the base of the slope you will see a ditch over which is placed a bridge. What is this bridge made of? Put the first letter of this material in BOX #9.
Just beyond this bridge the trail goes gently upslope. You will see on your right a row of low, largish rocks. How many are there? What does your clue phrase say? I think you know what to do! Once you have signed in, please replace the box carefully so no one can spot it from the trail. Continue along the trail and in no time, it will make a little loop. Shortly, you will pass the box hiding place and once over the bridge, you can return back to your car. I hope this little walk was fun!
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