Wollaston Beach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wollaston Beach
Sunset at Wollston Beach
Location	Promenade adjacent with beach and Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts, United States

Wollaston Beach is the biggest public beach in the Boston Harbor area. It stretches along Quincy Shore Drive in North Quincy, Massachusetts. This road was built to help people get to the beach easily. Wollaston Beach is part of Quincy Bay, which is a section of Boston Harbor.

At the northern end of the beach, you'll find Moswetuset Hummock. This is an important historical place for Native Americans. It's where the original Moswetuset Sac'hem (or Chief) used to hold tribal meetings.

Wollaston Beach is now part of the Quincy Shore Reservation. This area was set aside for public use by a law passed in 1899. Quincy Shore Drive, which runs next to the beach, opened in 1908. During the summer, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) helps keep the beach clean.

About Wollaston Beach

Wollaston Beach is the largest beach in Boston Harbor. It has about 2.3 miles of shoreline. A long walkway, called a promenade, runs along the entire beach. This promenade is often busy with people walking, running, and cycling.

The beach has a strong seawall because the ocean tides can be quite powerful. You can find restaurants along the promenade that serve seafood, especially on weekends. There's also plenty of parking available.

From Wollaston Beach, you can see amazing views. You can spot the cities of Boston and South Boston. You can also see nearby areas like Squantum, Houghs Neck, and Nut Island. Some of the Boston Harbor Islands are visible too, including Moon, Long, Georges, Peddocks, and Spectacle Islands. You might even see the tall wind turbines from Hull, Massachusetts in the distance.

Beach Water Quality

The water at Wollaston Beach is regularly tested for cleanliness. These tests check for certain types of bacteria. Based on recent tests from 2019, the water quality is usually good enough for swimming. This means it's a safe place to enjoy the water.

Boating and Fishing

Wollaston Beach is home to two yacht clubs: the Squantum Yacht Club and the Wollaston Yacht Club. Both clubs have piers that extend from the beach to their clubhouses. The Squantum Yacht Club was started in 1898. These clubs often host sailing competitions each year.

The beach is also next to Marina Bay, which is a large area for boats. If you enjoy fishing, the southern end of Wollaston Beach is a popular spot for it.

History of the Beach

Wollaston Beach has an interesting history, especially regarding its environment.

Cleaning Up the Bay

In the 1980s, Quincy Bay, which includes Wollaston Beach, faced serious pollution problems. Old sewer systems were dumping waste into Boston Harbor. Because of this, Wollaston Beach had to be closed for swimming and shellfishing.

In 1982, it was found that laws meant to protect clean water were not being followed. The city of Quincy took action to help fix the problem.

Protecting the Environment

In 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency chose Wollaston Beach as an "Estuary of National Significance." This means it's an important natural area that needs special care. The goal is to keep an eye on waste, drainage, and illegal dumping to protect the water.

Even with past challenges, people continue to work to improve the water quality. Today, Wollaston Beach is a popular place for summer fun. Many people enjoy walking and relaxing on its large promenade.

Gallery

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  Southern end of Wollaston Beach

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  View of the city of Boston

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  Wollaston Yacht Club