Park

Also known as Snake Hill.

In the Early History of Beverly, this area was referred to a Sanke Hill Commons. Sally Milligan Park was a gift to the citizens of Beverly from Hugh Taylor Birch who gave the original thirty-one acres to the city in 1933.  He intended the park to be a memorial to his mother, Sally Milligan Birch.  Mr. Birch wanted the park to be a place where residents of Beverly, especially women and children, could go and enjoy and learn from nature.  He conveyed his instructions for the care of the park as follows:

Norwood Pond and the adjacent city-owned land are unique and exceptional natural resources located in an otherwise populated urban setting. The combination of forest, open water and variable topography create an unparalleled landscape for pond related, passive recreational activities.Norwood Pond is on the Norwood Pond River in Essex County, Massachusetts and is used for recreation purposes.

While this park is officially inaccessible according to the Trustees of the Reservations, there are trails and parking at the intersection of Route 128 and Route 133 that provide access to this area.  It's a great place to explore, hike and climb. Adjacent to the Red Rocks Conservation Area, but separated by Route 128.

Burke Playground is mainly a grassy field with a baseball diamond in one corner.  There is new playground equipment in the southwest corner of the field.