Commonwealth Conversations: The Great Outdoors

Accessible Winter Activities

Marcy Marchello

Universal Access Program Coordinator, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

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The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is kicking off its Universal Access Program winter activities season!

Running through March, this program was created to make outdoor recreation in Massachusetts more accessible to everyone. Designed for people with disabilities, their families and friends, these free programs will sponsor a wide variety of adaptive cold-weather recreation opportunities at locations across the Commonwealth.

Come join in on the fun, and partake in these accessible activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kick sledding, snowmobiling, and ice skating. Staff assistance and use of accessible equipment, such as sit skis and kick sleds, will be available for use at no additional cost. For additional information on the Universal Access Program, a schedule of activities, and to preregister, visit DCR's Universal Access page or call 617-626-1294 or 413-545-5353. 

If you would like to volunteer to assist in the adaptive winter programs, please call Heidi Marie-Peterson at 413-577-3840. There are two trainings scheduled for January – January 7 at Wendell State Forest and January 22 at the Weston Ski Track.

Massachusetts Floodplains in the Aftermath of Hurricane Irene

Tim Purinton

Director, Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration

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Staff from the Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration have been out in the field over the past several weeks documenting the effects of Tropical Storm Irene on floodplain corridors in Western Massachusetts. Breached dams, blown-out culverts, and eroded roads remind us of the power of rivers in full flood. Yet, floods are natural part of the river’s ecosystem, building and shifting habitat for aquatic species. Documenting geomorphic changes from floods helps us plan for storms and eliminate unsafe infrastructure. It also helps us build more ecologically beneficial infrastructure that allow rivers and streams to flex their muscles during extreme weather conditions without harming our safety and ecosystem health.Take a look…

 

Weekly outdoor events

Reginald Zimmerman

Assistant Press Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)

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Join biologists and foresters from MassWildlife this Thursday, September 15, for a Wildlife Habitat Site Walk at the Frances A. Crane Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Falmouth from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Site walks provide an opportunity for interested conservation-minded citizens and landowners to observe habitat management operations that benefit different kinds of wildlife in special need of conservation.

Do you know places along your daily drive where you can expect to see a turtle crossing? Or spot turkeys and deer at the roadside? The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has created a new innovative program, Linking Landscapes for Wildlife, to involve citizens in both protecting wildlife and making transportation safer for everyone. On September 15, join the Nashua River Watershed Program in Groton to learn about this program from MassWildlife's Dave Paulson and Mass Department of Transportation's Tim Dexter.

On Sunday, September 18, head down to the New England Bantam Club's Annual Fall Bird & Small Animal Swap & Sell from 9 a.m. to noon at the Fairgrounds at Lancaster, Rt. 117 in Lancaster. Everybody is welcome to buy or sell chickens, bantams, ducks, geese, pigeons, pheasants, rabbits, and other stuff they raise, plus hatching eggs, cages, supplies, whatever! No advance registration - just show up with your stock! Rain or shine the event costs $5 to set up for members and $8 for non-members.

On Saturday, September 17, the Department of Conservation and Recreation is teaming up with REI, the Access Fund, and the AMC's Boston Chapter Mountaineering Committee for this year’s Adopt-A-Crag event on the South Shore. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. volunteers will gather at the Quincy Quarries to clean up quarries just in time for the fall rock climbing season.

If plants are your fancy and you’re looking for something T-accessible, DCR is hosting the program Plants of Belle Isle Marsh on Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. Great for both teenagers and adults, this workshop will focus on identifying and learning fun facts about plants in the field.

Also taking place that Saturday afternoon, DCR Rangers will lead a tour of the Charles River Dam, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Come and learn about the structure and pumping facility that keeps Boston and Cambridge above water. Groups will meet at Paul Revere Park flagpoles located below the Charlestown Bridge in Boston.

For more Massachusetts Outdoor Events, visit The Great Outdoors interactive Google Calendar.

Accessible summer activities

Marcy Marchello

Universal Access Program Coordinator, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

View Marcy's Bio

The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Universal Access Program provides information to people of all abilities with accessible outdoor activities, accessible parks and beaches, and locations of accessible recreation equipment. Committed to ensuring all people are able to get outside and enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, canoeing, and swimming, DCR’s Universal Access Program hosts a variety of accessible activity events. These events include:

Cycling on the Norwottuck Rail Trail in Hadley

Join All Out Adventures (AOA) on Fridays from 11 to 4 p.m. through August 26 and explore the wide variety of adaptive cycles for adults and kids including hand cycles, tricycles, tandems and recumbent bikes. Ride occasionally or weekly. Cost is $3 per program or use an AOA seasonal pass, pre-registration required. Call AOA to register at (413) 527-8980. 

Traveling Accessible Hiking Program

Take a gentle hike with Stavros Outdoor Access. Explore accessible trails and rugged paths with a focus on fun and meeting new people. Assistive equipment and teamwork unite people of abilities using Terra Trek mountain wheelchairs and push joggers. Bring a lunch and enjoy activities such as scavenger hunts, nature talks and letterboxing. Collect DCR passport stamps at each park!  Sighted guides are available. Programs cost $2 per person, $4 for families, and $10 for groups.  Call Stavros Outdoor Access to register: (413) 259-0009.

Other activities included in the list of events include skating, boating, skiing and fishing. Visit the online Universal Access brochure to get further details on accessible hiking trails and picnic areas across the state, and which state beaches have beach wheelchairs.

DCR also recommends visiting these sites for further information on accessible activities:

Northeast Passage: Living Beyond Disability

All Out Adventures: Outdoor Recreation for People of all Abilities

Community Boating Inc. Boston

Windrush Farm

Local wood for good

Anna Waclawiczek

Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)

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You don’t have to live in the country to be a farmer - you can grow crops outside in the city too.

Launched in 2007, Build-a-Garden teaches city residents square-foot growing methods so that urban gardeners can maximize space, create ideal growing conditions, and have a simple and structured forum for learning the basics. The Food Project provides participants with everything they need to get started – including multiple raised garden beds, soil, seeds, transplants, a growing guide, on-site workshops, and assistance throughout the planning and implementation stages of the project. Through this volunteer-fueled initiative, the organization hopes to create a thoughtful and productive community of people from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system.

In this instance, two local businesses came together to support each other and the community, and the positive effects promise to be long-lasting. Heyes provided product made from a natural, renewable resource that will be used to help residents of Boston and Lynn grow a variety of wholesome, fresh produce at a fraction of the cost. Likewise, The Food Project’s patronage of Heyes helps sustain local forest-based businesses that maintain healthy, working forests to create products that are important to us in everyday life. The end result is a mutually beneficial collaboration involving local products that will have a positive impact on local business, our community and the environment.

Fred Heyes, owner of Heyes Forest Products in Orange and DAR  Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP) ambassador, recently teamed up with Boston-based The Food Project to demonstrate how local wood products can be used to help build a stronger community.

In what has become an annual tradition, Heyes supplied  CQP-certified Massachusetts white pine lumber for The Food Project’s “Build-a-Garden” program, which provides Boston-area residents the opportunity to grow their own food successfully and safely in urban neighborhoods through raised bed and container gardening. The locally sourced and manufactured lumber will be used to construct garden beds for the community support program.



The Food Project is currently accepting Build-a-Garden volunteer applications for the fall 2011 growing season. To learn more about this and other Food Project volunteer opportunities, please visit: http://thefoodproject.org/volunteer. 

Those interested in applying for Build-a-Garden support can contact the program coordinator, Kathleen Banfield, by calling (617) 442-1322 x12 or by sending an email to buildagarden@thefoodproject.org.

To learn more about DAR’s Commonwealth Quality Program, which promotes high-quality Massachusetts agricultural products that are responsibly produced, harvested and processed, or to locate a CQP business near you, please visit  http://www.mass.gov/cqp. 

Mmmm...local apple cider

Anna Waclawiczek

Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)

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Agriculture is a 24/7 365-days-a-year kind of business and farmers are reminding snow lovers this winter season that local products are available in the colder months. School vacation week is a good opportunity to explore winter agricultural tourism (agri-tourism).

Recently DAR’s Melissa Guerrero went to visit Al Rose, owner of the Red Apple Farm of Phillipston. He and staff have been serving hot and cold apple cider, hot cider donuts and an assortment of local specialty items at the recently-refurbished Bullock Lodge Cider House at Wachusett Mountain. Here, skiers, snowboarders, and hikers are treated to the delectable aroma and taste of tangy apple cider and spice-laced apple cider doughnuts.

Re-opened in 2010, the Bullock Lodge was built in the 1930's as an economic stimulus project by the Civilian Conservation Corps and served as the original base lodge for the ski area. After 50 years of vacancy, this lodge was renovated and is now a showcase for the farm’s local products.

The Bullock Lodge is located on the lower mountain and is generally assessable by advanced and intermediate skiers stopping in during the middle of their runs. It is managed by the Rose Family, and is only accessible by foot, skis and snowboards.

For more information, or to find an Agri-tourism destination such as The Red Apple Farm near you, visit DAR's interactive agri-tourism Google map. 

Accessible winter activities

Marcy Marchello

Universal Access Program Coordinator, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

View Marcy's Bio

DCR’s Universal Access Program (UAP) has put together a Winter 2011 schedule with many wonderful adaptive recreation opportunities for people with disabilities and their families and friends to enjoy indoors and out this season.

The activities are held on weekends and some week days in January, February, and March. They include accessible cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kick sledding, snowmobiling, and ice skating at DCR parks and facilities. For persons with disabilities, free use of accessible equipment such as sit skis and kick sleds, as well as staff assistance, is available. In spring and summer, UAP offers cycling, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sailing, hiking, horseback riding, letterboxing, bird watching, interpretive programs and more. Skilled instructors and volunteers provide equipment, instruction, and support.

Indoor skating programs will take place at four primary rinks: Cronin Rink in Revere, Asiaf Rink in Brockton, Buffone Rink in Worcester, and the Fitzpatrick Rink in Holyoke. There will also be a special outdoor skating program at the Kelly Rink in Jamaica Plain on Tuesday, February 15, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. In addition, many rinks statewide have seated ice skating sleds for independent use during public skating.

For accessible outdoor winter recreation, visit the Weston Ski Track for adaptive cross-country skiing on most Sundays in February. In western Massachusetts, Wendell State Forest and Mt. Tom State Reservation will host adaptive programs on alternating Saturdays, with activities including ice skating, kicksledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobile rides. Catch it all at the Winter Festival at Dunn Park in Gardner on Saturday, February 5, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.!

For more information on any of these programs and more, contact Gigi at 617-626-1294 or Marcy at 413-545-5758 or 413-577-2200 (TTY) or visit DCR’s Universal Access Program website for more informaiton. Also, ask about volunteer opportunities. Preregistration is required.

See you other there on the snow and ice!

Inspiration on the Appalachian Trail

Gary Briere

Recreation Bureau Chief, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

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For many people, recreation includes testing their personal limits. Spend a little time in any Massachusetts state park, forest or reservation, and you will find people of all ages, sizes and abilities walking, running, swimming, cycling or otherwise transporting themselves across the landscape, strengthening their bodies and their spirit as they connect with the natural world, their companions, and themselves. Some take on a bigger challenge than others.

On July 24th, while hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) over Mount Race in the Mt. Everett State Reservation, I met Mike Hanson of Minnesota. You often encounter “through hikers” along the trail in Massachusetts. Through hikers are attempting to walk the entire Appalachian Trail, more than 2,000 miles, between Georgia and Maine. Mike is not your typical hiker though – he is blind.

Using two hiking poles to feel his way along the steep and rocky trail and a special Geographic Positioning System (GPS) designed to keep him on course, Mike and his videographer companion have negotiated more than 1,000 miles so far. But the magnitude of that accomplishment is hard to imagine until you watch Mike travel 100 feet. When I met him, he was making his way down a steep and rocky section of trail that requires full attention for even the strongest hiker. Carrying a pack that weighed over 30 pounds, he was probing for handholds and footholds with his white hiking poles and testing every foot placement to make sure that a stray rock, root, or crevice wouldn’t be the last step of his incredible journey. In this slow and deliberate way, he was walking over mountains to Maine. It’s fitting that his adopted trail name is Bulldog.

Mike hopes to make a point with his incredible journey. He’d like the public to recognize that people who are blind are capable and adaptive technologies like GPS can foster their independence. He notes that more than 70 percent of the visually impaired are unemployed and he’d like to demonstrate that the disability does not preclude independence and accomplishment. He made his point with me.

Follow Mike’s amazing journey on his Facebook page at the Hanson Appalachian Trail Campaign or visit his website.

And you can be like Mike. Whatever your abilities or limitations, stretch them today.

Late summer accessible canoeing, kayaking and horse backriding

Wendy Fox

Press Secretary, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

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Whatever you do, do not let summer end without trying some of DCR’s accessible recreation opportunities.

Tomorrow, for instance, August 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., DCR’s Universal Access Program (UAP) is offering adaptive horseback riding for individuals with disabilities, as well as their families and friends. The free program at Bradley Palmer State Park on Asbury Street in Topsfield is being administered by Windrush Farm. Call ahead to sign up and for waivers requiring a doctor’s signature: 617-626-1294.      

Four days later, on August 31, the UAP is offering accessible canoeing at Hampton Ponds State Park, 1048 North Road, in Westfield. That program, from 9:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., is being co-sponsored with All-Out Adventures. It costs $5 a person, and preregistration is required: 413-527-8980.

Then, on Sept. 2 (squeeze this one in before Labor Day), UAP is offering accessible kayaking at Regatta Point in Quinsigamond State Park, 10 North Lake Avenue in Worcester. The program, which also is cosponsored with All-Out Adventures, is $5 per person and will run 9:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Please call ahead to pre-register: 413-527-8980.

UAP provides all the equipment needed to enjoy each activity safely and comfortably.

Schedule of DCR’s accessible recreation activities.

Accessible outdoor activities event this weekend

Marcy Marchello

Universal Access Program Coordinator, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

View Marcy's Bio

If you live in the greater Boston area, you won't want to miss DCR’s Accessible Recreation Fair this Saturday, June 5. It is the place to find out about summer recreation programs and opportunities for people with disabilities, as well as their families and friends, and try out a variety of land-based activities.

Come to Artesani Park in Brighton, 1234 Soldiers Field Road, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is a beautiful park to visit, with a spray pool, playground, lots of shade, and views of boats going by on the Charles River. Bring a picnic lunch and your sense of summer fun! We'll offer snacks and cool drinks, face painting, and assorted craft activities and treasure hunts along with the usual adaptive outdoor recreation options.

Meet new people from outdoor recreation organizations serving the Boston area and sign up for summer activities including boating programs! Community Boating, Community Rowing, and Outdoor Recreation of Hopkinton will have booths and info on sailing, rowing and kayaking. Try out an adaptive bike and take a ride through the park along the river. A wide variety of bikes will be available to test ride, including handcycles, tandems, recumbent bikes, and kid's bikes. If you are shopping for an adaptive bike, Scott Pellet from Bike-on will be there to help you determine the best bike for you.

Check out a mountain wheelchair and learn about accessible hiking techniques. Sign up for outings at a variety of state and urban parks through October. Letterboxes will be hidden through the park, containing hand-carved stamps that you can collect once you follow the clues to the boxes. Take an educational stroll to do the "info-quest" and when the event is over you'll be an expert on the park! Complete both treasure hunts and collect a prize!

New this year: Power Chair Games! Join us in this new activity on pavement - we'll be slaloming around cones and knocking balls into goals and making up games as we go!

It is all free and open to individuals, families, and groups - serving all abilities! See you there!!!!