The park is named in memory of Sharon Johnston, a pilot who died in 1974 at the age of 31 doing what she loved, aerobatic flying.
The accident occurred September 8 at the South Weymouth (Massachusetts) Naval Air Station during an airshow that was open to the public.
Her family donated the land to the community in her name because it was a place she loved dearly, where her father had built a lake, worked to conserve wildlife, and taught his children about the wonders of nature.
The park consists of over 250 acres (1.0 km2) and features a 12-acre (49,000 m2) fishing lake, Olympic-size swimming pool, outdoor track, soccer fields, campground facilities, picnic shelters & pavilions, and open air barbecue grills.
The Sharon Johnston Pool is operated each summer from the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend through early August.