World's End (Hingham) facts for kids
World's End is a beautiful park and nature area in Hingham, Massachusetts. It's on a piece of land called a peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides. This park is about 251 acres big, which is like 1 square kilometer. You can find four special hills called drumlins here, along with pretty tree groves and open fields. These fields are great for butterflies and birds that nest in the grass. There are also 4.5 miles of walking paths, offering amazing views of the Boston skyline.
The area right next to the park, with some homes near the water, is also sometimes called World's End.
Contents
Exploring World's End
World's End is a fantastic place to visit! It's managed by an organization called the Trustees of Reservations. They help protect special places for everyone to enjoy.
What Can You See?
- Drumlins: These are long, oval-shaped hills made of dirt and rocks left behind by glaciers. World's End has four of them!
- Walking Paths: There are 4.5 miles of paths, perfect for walking, jogging, or even cross-country skiing in winter.
- Wildlife: Keep an eye out for butterflies, birds, and other small animals that live in the fields and trees.
- Views: From many spots, you can see the city of Boston in the distance across the water.
History of World's End
This special place has an interesting past, with plans that never quite happened!
Early Days and Designs
Long ago, in the late 1800s, a man named John Brewer bought this land. He used it as a big farm and raised animals. Later, in 1889, he hired a famous park designer named Frederick Law Olmsted. Olmsted is known for designing many beautiful parks, including Central Park in New York City. He planned out a neighborhood for World's End with roads and trees, but the houses were never built. So, the land stayed mostly natural.
Almost Home to the United Nations
World's End almost became a very important place in 1945. After World War II, leaders were looking for a place to build the headquarters for the United Nations. This new organization was created to help countries work together for peace. World's End was considered, but in the end, New York City was chosen instead.
Becoming a Public Park
In 1967, a generous person named Wilmon Brewer helped the Trustees of Reservations buy most of the World's End peninsula. This meant the land could be opened for everyone to visit and enjoy. In 1996, World's End became part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, which helps protect many islands and coastal areas around Boston. The Trustees of Reservations still manage the park today.
