Spring 2013 Hikes and Happenings DCR Boston Region Sites
Stony Brook Reservation Quincy Shores Reservation Brook Farm Historic Site Dorchester Shores Reservation Chestnut Hill Reservation Alewife Brook Reservation Hammond Pond Reservation Melnea Cass Recreation Complex Hancock Woods Reservation Roxbury Heritage Park Hemlock Gorge Reservation Southwest Corridor Park Neponset River Reservation South Boston Beaches Charles River Reservation Dorothy Quincy Homestead Mystic River Reservation Castle Island Beaver Brook Reservation Camp Meigs
Saturday, April 6 1 pm Vernal Pool Discovery at Brook Farm in West Roxbury Meet at DCR Brook Farm Historic Site located 1/3 mile west of the VFW Parkway at 670 Baker Street in West Roxbury. Brook Farm shares an entrance with the Gardens at Gethsemane. For more info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/brookFarm.htm Vernal pools are fragile, temporary wetlands that provide a critical habitat for several species of salamanders, frogs, and toads. Join DCR Natural Resource Specialist Ale Echandi as we search for these woodland treasures. 1.5 hours
Saturday, April 13 1 pm Signs of Spring at Alewife Brook Reservation Meet at the Alewife Brook parking lot at Cambridge Discovery Park at 100 Acorn Park Drive in Cambridge. For more site info, visit www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/alewife.htm Welcome families. Celebrate springtime on an easy stroll through Alewife Brook Reservation. The anadromous Herring migrates each spring from the Atlantic Ocean to the Reservation's Little Pond and Blair Pond to spawn. We will be looking for pussy willows, woodcock, animal tracks in the mud and other early signs of spring. For ages 8 and up.1 hour
Get Outside for April School Vacation Family Fun! Special Weekday Offerings!
Tuesday, April 16 1 pm Stony Brook Spring Scavenger Hunt Meet at the parking lot at Bajko Skating Rink at 75 Turtle Pond Parkway in Hyde Park. For more info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/stony.htm Calling all kids! Celebrate springtime on an easy ramble through Stony Brook Reservation. We will be looking for skunk cabbage, mourning cloak butterflies and other early signs of spring. Great family fun for ages 6 and up. 1 hour
Thursday, April 18 1 pm Kid’s Spring Safari along Black’s Creek on Quincy Shore Drive Meet at DCR Caddy Memorial Park on Quincy Shore Drive in Quincy. For more info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/quincyshore.htm Free family fun! Enjoy an easy 2 mile wander along the marshes of Black’s Creek in Quincy. We’ll be on the lookout for signs of wildlife along the way. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 1.5 hours
Saturday, April 20 DCR Park Serve Day Join DCR staff and park partners and friends in a statewide volunteer service day. Registration for work sites and projects begins March 20. Visit www.mass.gov/dcr to preregister
Charles River Greenway in Waltham 9 am - noon Meet at the parking lot at the back corner of Shaw’s at 130 River Street in Waltham. For more site info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/charlesRiver/upperCharles.htm Join the DCR and the Waltham Land Trust as we clean up the Charles River banks and woodland edge. Please wear long pants and closed shoes for the work day. Refreshments provided. For more info on the Waltham Land Trust, visit http://walthamlandtrust.org/calendar-events/14th-annual-charles-river-earth-day-cleanup/
Hemlock Gorge Reservation Spring Spruce-Up 9:30 am - noon Meet at the DCR parking lot on Hamilton Place in Needham. For more info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/hemlock.htm It’s time for spring cleaning! Help beautify this 23-acre woodland nestled along the banks of the Charles River. Join DCR staff and the Friends of Hemlock Gorge for this annual event. For more info on the Friends of Hemlock Gorge, visit http://www.hemlockgorge.org/
Saturday, April 20 9 am - noon Neponset Park Tree Planting and Care Meet at Neponset Park on Granite Avenue and Hilltop Street in Dorchester. For more site info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/neponset2.htm Join fellow volunteers to plant trees at Neponset Park and care for trees planted last fall. Activities include tree planting, mulching, staking and installing gator bags. The day begins with a tree planting demonstration, then volunteers will break into small groups to plant trees and provide landscape care. Bring a water bottle and dress appropriately for weather and moderate labor. Rain or shine. All tools and equipment provided. Gloves, snacks and water available. Volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by adult. Families and groups welcome. To register, please contact [email protected] or call BNAN at 617-542-7696
Saturday, April 27 1 pm What’s Blooming at Stony Brook Reservation Meet at the DCR Connell Softball field parking lot at the intersection of Enneking Parkway and Smithfield Road in Hyde Park. For more info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/stony.htm Celebrate springtime on an easy 2 mile stroll through Stony Brook Reservation. The woodlands and wetlands are coming alive with color. We’ll be on the lookout for beautiful blooms and blossoms along the way. For ages 10 and up. 1.5 hours Saturday, May 4 1 - 4 pm Dorothy Quincy Homestead Open House The Dorothy Quincy Homestead is located at the intersection of Hancock Street and Butler Street in Quincy. For more info, visit http://www.nscda.org/ma/quincy_homestead.php A National Historic Landmark, the Quincy Homestead is significant for its role in early American history, for its architecture, and for its Quincy family association. In addition to the architecture and furnishings, docents share stories of the Quincy family during the colonial era. The tour are free. Donations welcome. In addition, the grounds of the Quincy Homestead can be visited during daylight hours. This small park, owned and maintained by the DCR, can be accessed through the driveway gate.
Wednesday, May 8 6- 9 am May Birding Bonanza at Squantum Point Park Meet at the white shelter by the pier at Squantum Point parking lot in Quincy. From Quincy Shore Drive, turn onto East Squantum Street. Turn left onto Victory Road in Marina Bay. Proceed straight through the first rotary and take the next left on the Haul Road to Squantum Point. For more site info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/squant.htm Situated at the mouth of the Neponset River, Squantum Point Park is a prime birding spot with views overlooking Boston Harbor. Join the DCR, South Shore Bird Club and Quincy Park Dept.'s Environmental Treasures program in an early morning birding exploration as we search for migrating songbirds and resident birdlife. 3 hour
Saturday, May 11 1 pm Sweet History Stroll along the Neponset River Meet at the public parking lot in Milton Lower Mills, beside the Milton Yacht Club at 36 Wharf Street in Milton. For more info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/neponset.htm What do chocolate and the Neponset River have in common? Join a DCR Park Ranger on a scenic stroll in Milton and Dorchester Lower Mills to find out. We’ll explore the former Baker Chocolate Factory site and learn about the sweet history of Lower Mills as part of Historic Preservation Month in Massachusetts. We’ll end our tour at the Baker Chocolate Artist Lofts and learn about the DCR’s Historic Curatorship program. For ages 10 and up.
Saturday, May 18 Music begins at 11:30 am 20th Annual EarthFest Concert at the DCR Hatch Shell Meet at the DCR Hatch Shell on Storrow Drive in Boston. Public transportation recommended. For more info, visit http://www.myradio929.com/earthfest.aspx The 20th Annual EarthFest, sponsored by Radio 92.9 and Whole Foods Market, will be held at the DCR Hatch Shell in Boston. Music on the main stage starts at 11:30 am, and the event will feature nationally –recognized performances. The day long festival will also feature exhibits and environmental displays, committed to raising awareness and offering educational information about different environmental issues facing the planet.
May 25, 26 and 27 12 -3:30 pm Fort Independence Tours at Castle Island, South Boston Castle Island and Fort Independence are located at the end of Day Boulevard in South Boston. For more info, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/castle.htm Castle Island is the oldest continuously fortified site in British North America! The first fort on Castle Island was built in 1634 for the coastal defense of Boston. Fort Independence, a pentagonal five-bastioned fort built between 1834 and 1851, is Castle Island's 8th fort and was built with granite from the quarries in Rockport, MA. Free one hour tours of Fort Independence are sponsored by the Castle Island Association in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer! Enjoy the great outdoors! Get the jump on the heat and head to a DCR spray deck near you! For more information about DCR Spray Decks and other activities visit www.mass.gov/dcr
Things to know before you go
Wear sturdy footgear If weather conditions are questionable, please Carry drinking water on all hikes call the reservation headquarters Dress in layers for maximum comfort on the day of the program at Hiking poles may be helpful 617-333-7404, extension 104. We will hike unless Reasonable accommodations available. For the weather creates unsafe conditions questions regarding accessibility, please email [email protected] All programs are free!
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DCR Boston Region Stony Brook Headquarters 12 Brainard Street Hyde Park, MA 02136 Phone: (617) 333-7404 Web: www.mass.gov/dcr