Biking

04/26/2013

Weekend Outdoor Events - April 26-28. Celebrate Park Serve Day!

Saturday, April 27, 2013 is Park Serve Day in Massachusetts.

Park Serve Day is an initiative created by Governor Patrick to improve state recreational spaces throughout the Commonwealth by fostering a sense of a shared purpose by communities to maintain public spaces for the greater good. Most events will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., though hours may vary by location and participants are encouraged to reach out to their local Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) park to confirm event times.

DCR will provide work gloves and equipment needed for the various projects, though participants may want to bring their own gloves or hand tools, clearly marked with the owner’s name and phone number. Power tools are not allowed. Wear sturdy shoes and work clothes, and bring sunscreen and insect repellent. All events are rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the weather. Parking fees will be waived at all DCR facilities where Park Serve projects are taking place. Drinking water and a snack will be supplied, though participants should feel free to bring their own water and food as well.

Last year, nearly 5,000 people volunteered at 53 parks across the state. In addition to collecting more than 19.5 tons of trash, those volunteers had planted over 187 trees, 167 shrubs and 1,742 flowers.

To find a Park Serve Day event near you, check the list below or search the Park Serve Day website. To register for an event, use the online volunteer application.

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11/26/2012

Weekly Outdoor Events November 26-December 2: Bring in the Holiday Spirit!

This week, work off all those leftover Thanksgiving calories and then get into the holiday spirit as we transition into December. Check out some of this week’s events:

If you’re still feeling full from Thanksgiving, start your December off with a walk through Virginia Woods as part of the Let’s Take a Walk program. The walk, which is moderately paced over gentle terrain, takes place on Saturday, December 1, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm and meets at the John Botume House Visitor Center in the Middlesex Fells.

Jump right into the holiday spirit with the Holiday Toy Drive and Mountain Bike Ride or Hike on December 2 at Blue Hills Reservation. Donate a new, unwrapped toy to the annual collection and then enjoy a mountain bike ride at 10:00 am or the Houghton’s Pond hike at 1:00 pm.

Keep ringing in the holiday spirit with the Holiday Handbell Choir at Borderland State Park. Enjoy a performance by the Unity Church Handbell Choir on Sunday December 2 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Refreshments will be served.

For more great events happening this and every week, check out our outdoors calendar for events near you.

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05/09/2012

Time for Camping in Massachusetts State Parks

With spring upon us, many people are looking to get out and enjoy the outdoors. One of the best ways to see some of the most beautiful scenery in Massachusetts and enjoy hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, and other activities is to reserve a campsite at one of the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s campgrounds  that are located all around the state. For a very reasonable fee, you can find an area close to home or travel a bit if you want to try something different. Western and central Massachusetts offer more remote sites, while eastern Massachusetts offers several campgrounds that provide coastal beach access and forested sites.

At the end of August last year, I took my 12 year-old daughter and eight year-old son to Erving State Forest for four nights of tent camping. We arrived on a Sunday and had the campground to ourselves on the first night, but more people came as the week went on. We enjoyed swimming at Laurel Lake’s beach, fishing in the lake, biking on the lightly traveled park roads, hiking a short loop trail, and time around the campfire and stargazing at night.

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The kids made friends with other campers from the Chicago area and we enjoyed s’mores with them at the campfire one evening. After dark on more than one night, we heard a couple of owls, including a very loud great horned owl, roosting nearby. The staff at the state forest was very helpful and friendly, giving the kids coloring books and Smokey the Bear hats that the kids enjoyed wearing (see picture).

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Many of the state campgrounds are very popular, particularly on weekends, holiday weeks, and much of July and August, so it makes sense to reserve your campsite. Some state campgrounds open for the spring season on May 4 and most of the rest open by May 24. The DCR campgrounds are open either through Labor Day or Columbus Day, and a few offer off-season camping opportunities.   See this chart for the full schedule and enjoy your camping adventure!

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02/22/2012

Weekly outdoor events - 2/20/12

In honor of George Washington’s love for nature, we have a plethora of events, workshops and activities to get you outside this week!  The Department of Conservation and Recreation is hosting a variety of workshops to turn you into a skilled naturalist.  Animal tracking can be a lot of fun, especially in the winter when paw prints mark up the snow or freeze in the mud.  Join us in Hingham, North Easton, or Foxboro for a lesson on how to become an expert tracker.

A few activities better suited for the younger ones may be one of the animal workshops offered in Revere. From Wednesday through Friday there are a series of three one-hour lessons that will engage you and your child in the wonderful animal world.  Featured lessons are “Bats in your Backyard,” “Sea Turtle Surprises,” and “Sweet Honeybees.”

If you would prefer not to spend any time indoors this February break, then join us for ice fishing in Hopkinton or Beach Comber’s Bingo in Waquoit.  We can’t wait to see you there!        

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02/14/2012

Sweet potato valentines and keeping healthly in 2012

Last month, DCR Commissioner Lambert and I blogged about a new partnership to encourage people to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout 2012.

To this end, I made a personal pledge to lose twenty pounds over ten months – in time for an autumn-planned 2K run at a DCR state park or farm location. I’m happy to report that so far – via increased physical activity and eating healthier portions of food – I’m four pounds closer towards my goal!

Fortunately, as it relates to eating, healthier choices are becoming ever easier thanks to the growing number of year-round farmers’ markets in Massachusetts.  For example, the Somerville or Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Markets offer apples, root vegetables, fresh bread, artisan cheeses, seafood, meats, poultry, eggs, local wines, and more. And if you don’t have to lose 20 pounds like I do, there is an appetizing array of baked goods and locally-made specialty foods like Coutts’ preserves, applesauce, and relishes.  Our MassGrown & Fresher website offers a complete listing of winter farmers’ markets throughout the state.

sweet potatos
This month, MassGrown & Fresher, in collaboration with ChopChop Magazine and Mass in Motion is featuring the sweet potato – a “sweet” and healthy treat for that someone special you know. One of the local farms that grow sweet potatoes is Red Fire Farm in Granby and whom we’ve spotlighted on our Faces of Massachusetts Agriculture page. Red Fire Farm is also a CSA (community Supported Agriculture).  If you haven’t already, find out more about the benefits of being a part of a CSA so you can enjoy weekly shares of fresh, local produce during the growing season.

And of course following your healthy Valentine’s Day meal, don’t forget some of the great suggestions made by DCR in our last blog such as the many Healthy Heart Trails located in over 70 state parks across the state! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Leomin_Skiing

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01/21/2012

A healthy 2012: practicing what we preach

 

Signing

On January 1st, 2012, the Departments of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Public Health (DPH), and Agricultural Resources (DAR) signed a joint resolution with the mutual goal of encouraging people to maintain a healthy lifestyle through year-round outdoor recreation and quiet enjoyment in our state parks and eating locally grown and produced agricultural products. The event was celebrated statewide at over nine locations from the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton to western Massachusetts' Mount Greylock State Reservation, where more than 1,700 visitors came out to enjoy nature and get some exercise on a beautiful winter day.

In 2012, our agencies will be promoting the physical, emotional, and nutritional health of our residents, visitors, and of course our own employees!  And one of those employees is DAR Commissioner Scott Soares. Commissioner Soares has committed to losing two pounds per month via a friendly inter-agency “Choose Two for You” challenge that will culminate with a celebration of our collective achievements at a 2K-thon challenge at a featured farm location and/or DCR state park in the fall of 2012. We look forward to seeing many of our colleagues -- including DPH Commissioner John Auerbach -- at the event!

In the meantime, we thought we’d share some of the great “Two for You” challenges we’ve sent out across the agencies:

  • Visit at least two Massachusetts state parks each season and engage in a recreational activity such as hiking, biking or walking.
  • Eat fruits and vegetables (preferably locally-grown) at least two times a day to reach the five or more daily recommended servings and include 2-3 servings of whole-grains (any food made from wheat, rice, barley, oats, or another cereal grain) each day. Go to www.choosemyplate.gov for more information.
    First Day Hike
  • For those who exceed their healthy weight (Body Mass Index [BMI] greater than 25), lose at least two pounds a month until your healthy ideal weight is reached (Please consult your physician first). Calculate your BMI at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator at least two times a week or check out other tips offered at www.mass.gov/massinmotion
  • Integrate movement into your workday at least twice every two hours e.g. a walk to the water cooler, take a lap around the office, do some stretches at your work area.  Take a longer walk in a park, along a greenway or a sidewalk during lunch.
  • Include muscle-strengthening activities two times per week.
  • Exercise for at least two days a week for 30 minutes (e.g. a brisk two-mile walk) towards achieving the recommended 2 hours and 20 minutes per week. Check out DCR’s Healthy Heart Trails in over 70 state parks across the state!
  • Add at least two new exercise routines to your current workout.
  • Try two new recreational activities this year such as canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, mountain biking or camping.

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12/21/2011

Accessible Winter Activities

Marcy Marchello

Marcy Marchello

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

View Marcy's Bio

SnowshoeThe 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.

Snowmobile

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10/26/2011

Biking the Central Mass Rail Trail in Rutland

Marion Larson

Marion Larson

Outreach Coordinator, MassWildlife

View Marion's Bio

Biking down the rail trailA gorgeous, warm autumn day inspired my husband and me to take our hybrid bikes to the Rutland portion of the Central Mass. Rail Trail. The stone dust rail trail in this area crosses part of the Midstate Trail, DCR’s Rutland State Park (near Whitehall and Long Ponds), and a portion of the DCR Ware River Watershed. The parking lot on Route 122 was our entry to the trail. A few stone benches can be found along the trail and there is a granite stone marker describing a major train accident that occurred in 1932 as well as a rail marker indicates 49 miles to Northampton.

Fall colors graced the trail and reflected in the ponds and cold water streams that crossed the trail. I smelled cooking fires from the state park and spotted a couple of mountain bikers on some adjoining trails. Though we encountered other cyclists, couples, teens, and young families walking, and even a group of horseback riders, the trail didn’t feel a bit crowded. 

Central Mass Rail Trail SignWe especially appreciated the recent cut-through tunnel near Rte 56 and Moulton Pond. It saved us from hauling our bikes up a steep embankment and riding up a good-sized hill to get to the next section of trail. Three cheers to Wachusett Greenways, the organization responsible for this most recent milestone! This group’s determined efforts have kept expanding the rail trail’s length and accessibility to all.

If you have the chance, take a hike or bike this lovely section trail in central Massachusetts. Go fishing in the stream or nearby Long and Whitehall Ponds, picnic at the state park or contemplate the lily pads and fall colors on the small ponds. Adventurous folks can explore a network of roads in the Ware River Watershed property, popularly referred to as the Prison Camps area. Hunting, hiking, fishing, biking and other passive recreation is permitted in this area.  With the onset of hunting seasons, wearing a blaze orange vest or cap is a good visibility idea. 

Enjoy the area! Train Wreck Marker Stone

Wachusett Greenways: Programs, projects, updates, and a rail trail map of the current and proposed route for the Central Mass Rail Trail.

Ware River Watershed Lands:  A variety of recreation opportunities are available on this 23,000 acre property. Maps of designated biking and horseback riding trails, wildlife management areas, and other information can be found here.

Midstate Trail Website: This jewel of a trail covers 95 miles in Worcester County from RI to NH. It is not as well known and is less travelled compared to the popular Metacomet-Mondanock and Appalachian Trails further west.

Moulton Pond, Rutland

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08/25/2011

7th Annual Hub On Wheels 2011

Once again, it’s time to check your gears, tune up your brakes and get ready to ride for this year’s 7th Annual Hub On Wheels. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is a sponsor of the day-long event community and charity event, which includes three different routes.

Taking place on Sunday, September 25, the Hub On Wheels offers three routes (10, 30, and 50 miles) that’ll take you through a car-free Storrow Drive, hidden pathways, river greenways, and some of Boston’s historic neighborhoods including: Downtown, Back Bay, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Dorchester, and South Boston. Whatever route you decide to take, the ride will start and finish at City Hall Plaza in downtown Boston.

Also taking place on the same day is the third annual TD Bank Mayor’s Cup where more than two hundred professional cyclists will race for a grand prize of $40,000. National champions and Olympic cyclists will race at high speed around sharp corners as they sprint through the course.

If you plan on staying a spectator throughout the day, don’t miss the Boloco Block Party, a festival at City Hall Plaza filled with food, music, and a bike expo. And if you’re daring enough to try the race, the registration fee is $45 and you can register online. Children are also welcome and must be at least 10 years-old to ride the 10 mile loop and at least 12 years old to ride the longer routes. Children under the age of 10 are free, but can only participate if they ride with an adult on a tandem, trail-a-bike, bike seat or trailer. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

We hope you take this exciting opportunity to get outside and bike. Visit Hub On Wheels for more information.

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08/15/2011

Weekly outdoor events

Have a bike and must travel? This Saturday, August 20, follow a DCR ranger on a 10-mile bike trail from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Upper Charles River Greenway and ride through Dedham, Needham, Waltham and Newton. Pass through the Cutler Park Reservation and witness the largest remaining fresh water marsh with over 100 species of birds--great for a quick nature study.

To take part, meet at the Galen Street Bridge in Watertown Center and prepare for a short journey through the Commonwealth.

Check out more Massachusetts Outdoor Events on The Great Outdoors interactive Google Calendar.

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