News of the Fells

Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation

Issue 5, July 2016 News of the Fells

Contents

It’s Summer! Author Visit...... 1 Whole Foods 5% Day in Melrose...... 2 Found in the Fells, July...... 2 VERT-Sasquatch Race July 9th...... 3 Cascades Hike...... 4 Babes in the Woods/Hike ’n’ Seek....7 Calendar...... 8 Youth Programming...... 10 Top of the Tank...... 10 Snakes of the World...... 11 Social Innovation Forum...... 12 Langwood Commons Update...... 13

Neil O. Anderson The Friends of the It’s Summer! Middlesex Fells Author Visits the Reservation is dedicated StoryWalk™ in Greenwood Park to the protection and by Gillian Badwan harmonious use of the Fells; promoting Join DCR, Friends of the author readings and a raffle! Fells, Mass in Motion, Ms. Glaser will also sign awareness, policies Medford Family Network, books available for sale. and programs to honor and the North Suburban Families are encouraged to and preserve the Child & Family Resource bring a blanket and a picnic ecological, historical and Network for a drop-in lunch. The festival will be recreational resources festival featuring Linda held at Greenwood Park, of this urban forest Glaser, author of several of 176 Pond Street, Stoneham, reservation. our previous StoryWalk™ across from the Stone Zoo, titles including this season’s from 10 AM to 2 PM on www.fells.org “It’s Summer!” The festival Saturday, July 23rd. Check 781-662-2340 will include field games, the calendar on page 9 for [email protected] family hikes, activities, more information.

News of the Fells 1 Found in the Fells, July by Bryan Hamlin foundinthefells.com

As June turns into July, a group wintergreen are almost identical of closely related forest floor to pipsissewa but there is no plants that have been slowly pink ring at the base of the style. developing their buds since Rather, the red pigment is used up early spring finally flower. First in giving the flower stems a deep pipsissewa and round-leaved red color. pyrola, sometimes flowering side- Also in the second half of the by-side, will bloom in late June, month, the delightful evergreen early July. They are both in the teaberry finally blooms. Noah Kaplan plant family called Pyrolaceae. But, talking of berries, July is The flowers of pipsissewa blueberry time. My wife, Anne, and (Chimaphila umbellata) are quite I picked three and half pounds Board Recruitment unusual and worth a close look near Wright's Pond in just over an with a large green stubby style hour. Early in July, low-bush Meet and Greet and psychedelic pink ring at the blueberries (Vaccinium angus- tifolium Whether you would like a bigger base, surrounded by the stamens ) and middle- to third- looking like the chairs of a week pale blueberries will be ripe say or just a better view, there miniature carousel. (V. pallidum) with long clusters on are many reasons you may And then ten days or so later, somewhat higher bushes. There's want a “seat at the table” and usually towards the third week of enough for everyone's need but you’re in luck! The Friends of July in the Fells, blooms the close not for everyone's greed. the Fells Board of Directors has cousin of pipsissewa, spotted win- In damp situations, tall meadow a few vacant seats and ANY tergreen (Chimaphila maculata) rue is prevalent, and on the shores member in good standing may whose beautiful leaves I, for one, of ponds look for the distinctive be considered a candidate for a have been admiring all year long. buttonbush, and a splash of pink board position. Some guidebooks will tell you might be the swamp rose. Towards that these two plants bloom the the end of the month, the heavily- Working with the board will other way around. Not in the Fells, scented sweet pepperbush provide you a richer view of our anyway. The flowers of spotted blooms. various organizational activities and give you a voice in setting Pipsissewa by Bryan Hamlin priorities for the future.

If you are interested in exploring the commitment and rewards of board membership please consider attending our board social event planned for the evening of Wednesday, August 17 th (details to be published in our August event calendar).

For more information, drop a line to board Chair Rich Sanford at [email protected].

2 News of the Fells It’s almost time for the VERT Sasquatch - a Fells tradition! Come join us on July 9th as either a runner or a volunteer!

There will be a shuttle to and from Oak Grove (Orange Line). Please note: The one major change this year is it will now be in the evening, from 7 PM– 10 PM. Sasquatch is a 2.35- mile “sprint” trail race and is great for all abilities and ages, although you must be 21+ to enjoy the brewfest and dance party at the Stone Zoo afterwards.

The requested registration fee is $40 and benefits the Friends It’s Almost Time for the of the Fells and Stoneham Senior Center. Volunteers get VERT Sasquatch Race FREE admittance to the after- by Lindsay Beal and Melissa Ganley party, which includes free beer, food, a T-shirt, and other If you’re willing to help in Friends of the Fells will also giveaways. those two high-needs areas, sponsor a Hike ‘n’ Carry please email Friends of the trail clean-up the next day Teenagers may volunteer Fells Volunteer Coordinator (July 10th) at 2:30 PM at at the race, but may not be Lindsay Beal at lindsay@ Greenwood Park led by admitted to the after-party, yarsley.com when you register runner and hike leader Linda but they can always receive so she knows where to target Schwetz ([email protected]). sign-offs on community her recruitment efforts. We hope to see you there, as service hours—and still get either a runner or helper! their T-shirt! Would you like to run and volunteer? Usually there are Runners and volunteers There are a wide variety of limited opportunities for can register at the same volunteer tasks available, but that, as well. In that case, Eventbrite link: these have the highest needs please refrain from registering right now: online and email Cambridge 5K Volunteer Coordinator 1.) Water tables Melissa Ganley at melissa@ 2.) Course marshals (can be cambridge5K.com as she’ll on foot or bike) who know the ensure you’re signed up to Whip Hill/north Crystal Spring run gratis and ask you to area of the Fells quite well. arrive extra early.

News of the Fells 3 Cascades Hike by Robert “Mike” Melendez ◀ The path to the Cascades leads from Washington Street between Melrose and Malden. That street is peppered with old former factories. Here a power house chimney is repurposed as a cell phone tower.

We made it to the Cascades, but the water flow was just a trickle. ▶

◀ For reference, the picture I took on April 4, 2004, from an earlier walk.

4 News of the Fells Here's a closer look at the face of the Cascades. Can you spot the trickle? ▶

◀ The trail climbs up just south of the Cascades, steep and rocky with a switchback or two. Up there, you can see the streams are still flowing. They just spread out as they reach the edge.

The stream hits a number of flat rocks near the edge of the main cascades. As we crossed them, we avoided wet rocks as they tend to get a patina moss due the continuous water. One unsure step and you're down. ▶

News of the Fells 5 At the top we took the more difficult Rock Circuit, blazed white, if only because it headed south. The easier route started out northwest but led down to the Black Rock Path and straight south. The Rock Circuit climbs up to every high point in the Eastern Fells. For example, here is a higher view of the repurposed cell tower we saw earlier. ▶

▲ Whenever I am in the Fells and able to see out over the Boston area, I am always amazed at how small the cities seem. In this case, Melrose, in the sea of green.

6 News of the Fells Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation • July Calendar • Babes in the Woods

Hike ’n’ Seek is a nature-themed scavenger hunt for young hikers (toddler through school-aged kids) and their parents. For parents with children young enough to carry on a conventional hike, please join us for Babes in the Woods at 9 AM! Location changes weekly.

Babes in the Woods is an adult-paced hike designed for parents who carry their children. These hikes will not be appropriate for young children who walk, and trails will not accommodate strollers.

Please remember to wear appropriate shoes and clothing for the weather, and do not forget to bring water! Check the Facebook page for the latest updates. Contact Gillian Badwan at [email protected] or by phone at (617) 727-5380 x403 for more information.

Babes in the Woods meets from 9 – 10 AM Hike ’n’ Seek meets from 10 – 10:45 AM

July

Long Pond Both programs will meet at the Long 0Pond5 Parking Lot, 532 South Border Road, Winchester.

Spot Pond Both programs will meet at the 12Botume House Visitor Center at 4 Woodland Road in Stoneham.

Additional parking is available down the hill at the Spot Pond boating center.

Flynn Rink Both programs will meet at Flynn 19Rink, 300 Elm Street, Medford.

Greenwood Park Both programs will meet at 26Greenwood Park, 176 Pond Street, Stoneham, across from the Stone Zoo.

News of the Fells 7 July Calendar

Diana Lomakin

Friday Family Fishin’! Friday Family Fishin’! Friday Family Fishin’! 7:30 - 9:30 AM 7:30 - 9:30 AM 7:30 - 9:30 AM 0Straw1 Point Parking Lot 0Straw8 Point Parking Lot 15Straw Point Parking Lot New South Street, Stoneham New South Street, Stoneham New South Street, Stoneham Join DCR park interpreter Gillian for a Join DCR park interpreter Gillian for a Join DCR park interpreter Gillian for a drop-in fishing program! Learn how to drop-in fishing program! Learn how to drop-in fishing program! Learn how to fish, what fish live in our ponds, and fish, what fish live in our ponds, and fish, what fish live in our ponds, and how to catch and release responsibly. how to catch and release responsibly. how to catch and release responsibly. Bait and a handful of rods will be Bait and a handful of rods will be Bait and a handful of rods will be provided but feel free to bring your own provided but feel free to bring your own provided but feel free to bring your own gear and fish with us and share your gear and fish with us and share your gear and fish with us and share your tricks! All ages. For more information, tricks! All ages. For more information, tricks! All ages. For more information, call Gillian at (617) 727-5380 x403. call Gillian at (617) 727-5380 x403. call Gillian at (617) 727-5380 x403.

“First Saturday”Fells Running VERT-Sasquatch Trail Race Fells Running Club Club Trail Run 10 - 11:30 AM 7 - 10 PM “Beginners” Trail Run 0Greenwood2 parking lot, 176 Pond Street, 0Stone9 Zoo, 149 Pond Street, Stoneham 17 10:00 - 11:30 AM Stoneham (across from the Stone Zoo) Love great beer and exploring the Flynn Rink, 300 Elm Street, Medford Let’s go for an “intermediate” outdoors? Sasquatch is a unique 2.35 Join Shane and his son Mats for a 3- to trail run in the area of next week’s mile "sprint" trail race that's perfect 4-mile run in the Eastern Fells. We’ll go Sasquatch Trail Race. We’ll cover 3-5 for all running abilities! Registration at a manageable pace. Meet right in miles including portions of the race includes a great race shirt plus free food front of Flynn Rink in Medford. I’ll be course – get a preview of the terrain and free beer at the post-race party! wearing a white t-shirt. We’ll set off at before you run it “for credit” on July The race is immediately followed by a exactly 10:10. Email shane.t.mcnally@ 9th. Expect a pace of around 11 or 12 post-race party featuring DJ RenSelect gmail.com for more information. minutes per mile, although the pace and Mr. Energy! Register to run the race may be adjusted to the needs of the or support your friends in the race by Summer Wildflowers at group. Meet by 10 AM. The leader will volunteering your time at the event. Virginia Wood 9:15 - 11:30 AM be waiting near the bulletin board by VERT-Sasquatch is run in the Crystal 181 Woodland Road, Medford the parking lot. We'll start running at Springs/Whip Hill Area of DCR Middlesex Summer is here. Celebrate the season exactly 10:10. Email shane.t.mcnally@ Fells. Sasquatch is MBTA accessible with a wildflower walk through Virginia gmail.com for more information. (take the Orange line to Oak Grove and Wood. The walk will focus on plant ID board the free race shuttle!) and there's as well as fun and interesting natural Fells Members-Only After- also plenty of free parking available history. Meet in the driveway of #1 Work Hike 6 - 8 PM at Stone Zoo. A portion of the race Woodland Rd at the intersection of 06Flynn Rink, 300 Elm Street, Medford proceeds benefit Friends of the Fells! Woodland Rd and Pond St in Stoneham. Need a great way to unwind after For more information or to register, Steady rain cancels. Leader: Boot work, get a little exercise and enjoy the please visit http://www.vertraceseries. Boutwell (781-729-4712). Fells? Please join Pete Costello for an com/sasquatch/ or use the QR code on after-work hike. Hikes will be easy to page 3 of this newsletter. moderate. We will choose a different trail each hike. Bring water and bug repellent. Email Pete at pbeararl@ yahoo.com for more information.

8 News of the Fells July Calendar

Whole Foods 5% Days tricks! All ages. For more information, trail each hike. Bring water and bug Melrose Whole Foods call Gillian at (617) 727-5380 x403. repellent. Email Pete at pbeararl@ 19880 Main Street, Melrose yahoo.com for more information. All you have to do is shop and The It's Summer! A StoryWalk™ Friends of the Fells gets 5%! Call 781- Celebration and Author Event Mid-Summer at Long Pond 606-3400 for more information. 2310:00 AM - 2:00 PM 9:15 - 11:30 AM Greenwood parking lot, 176 Pond Street, 28Long Pond Parking Lot, Fells Members-Only After- Stoneham (across from the Stone Zoo) South Border Road, Winchester Work Hike 6:00 - 8:00 PM Join DCR, Friends of the Fells, Mass in Summer is here along with some 20Flynn Rink, 300 Elm Street, Medford Motion, Medford Family Network, and beautiful summer wildflowers. The walk Need a great way to unwind after the North Suburban Child & Family will focus on plant ID as well as fun and work, get a little exercise and enjoy the Resource Network for a drop-in festival interesting natural history about the Fells? Please join Pete Costello for an featuring Linda Glaser, author of several plants which we see. Meet at the Long after-work hike. Hikes will be easy to of our previous StoryWalk™ titles, Pond Parking Lot, South Border Road, moderate. We will choose a different including this season’s “It’s Summer!” Winchester. Steady rain cancels. Leader: trail each hike. Bring water and bug The festival will include field games, Boot Boutwell (781-729-4712). repellent. Email Pete at pbeararl@ family hikes, activities, author readings yahoo.com for more information. and a raffle! Ms. Glaser will also sign Friday Family Fishin’! books available for sale. Families are 297:30 - 9:30 AM Friday Family Fishin’! encouraged to bring a blanket and a Straw Point Parking Lot 7:30 - 9:30 AM picnic lunch. For more information call New South Street, Stoneham 22Straw Point Parking Lot Gillian at (617) 727-5380 x403. Join DCR park interpreter Gillian for a New South Street, Stoneham drop-in fishing program! Learn how to Join DCR park interpreter Gillian for a Fells Members-Only After- fish, what fish live in our ponds, and drop-in fishing program! Learn how to Work Hike 6:00 - 8:00 PM how to catch and release responsibly. fish, what fish live in our ponds, and 27Flynn Rink, 300 Elm Street, Medford Bait and a handful of rods will be how to catch and release responsibly. Need a great way to unwind after provided but feel free to bring your own Bait and a handful of rods will be work, get a little exercise and enjoy the gear and fish with us and share your provided but feel free to bring your own Fells? Please join Pete Costello for an tricks! All ages. For more information, gear and fish with us and share your after-work hike. Hikes will be easy to call Gillian at (617) 727-5380 x403. moderate. We will choose a different

Noah Kaplan

News of the Fells 9 Top of the Tank by Neil O. Anderson

The Spot Pond Covered Executive Director Mike Ryan for Reservoir and Pump Station his support in getting the project is officially open to the public. rolling in this location. A great time was had by all on The MWRA has opened a Saturday, June 18th, at the Top network of covered tanks over of the Tank Ribbon Cutting. The the last decade, which keep your Friends of the Fells, joined by the water protected. The century- Massachusetts Water Resource old open reservoirs are still Kelli Hanson Authority, DCR, Senator Jason maintained for emergency back- Lewis, Representative Paul up. The new covered reservoir Donato, Representative Michael features a grassy meadow with Youth Programming Day, Stoneham Selectwoman native wildflowers—a Friends of Caroline Colarusso and Chair- the Fells botany advisor, Walter by Ann Frenning Kossuth woman Ann Marie O’Neill, and Kittredge, consulted on the Alderman John Tramontozzi of selection. It is surrounded by a The first two weeks of the four Melrose were present in full force gravel walking path and a bridge Summer Youth Programs in the to mark the occasion. to the Fells with short hikes to Fells have gone wonderfully well. The MWRA started using the the scenic Virginia Wood and the Imagine a classroom where you 20-million-gallon covered tank upper reservoir. look forward to playing in mud! in November. It provides storage Many thanks to Fred Laskey, Although our educational for Charlestown, Chelsea, and his team and volunteers programming has quadrupled Everett, Malden, Medford Bryan Hamlin (Friends Board this year in size (from a simple and Somerville, and system member), Anne Hamlin, Lindsay morning Forest Kindergarten redundancy for 21 communities. Beal (Friends Board member), program in 2014–15 to both a Fred Laskey, Executive Director Jake Kostick, Craig Beal and morning-and-afternoon Forest of the MWRA, gave a shout-out Adrian Emery for making the Kindergarten, and an Explorers to former Friends of the Fells event such a success! and Adventurers session, for a combined youth age range from 4 to 12), our low staff-to-student Neil O. Anderson ratio has remained focused and attentive. Most important, however, the children love it, and they lead the way. If they want to play in the mud, then mud it is. If they want to look for Great Blue Herons on Spot Pond (and sudden dragonflies!), then they can do that, too. We are so proud to be able to offer this wonderful escape into our own natural resource, the Middlesex Fells Reservation. Thank you for supporting the opportunity for the children of this community to grow up in and learn from this wonderful environment. 10 News of the Fells Snakes of the World

How cool are the DCR and the Check out more from the DCR at 2. Native green snake, rare in Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team? On their page www.mass.gov/eea/ the Fells June 28th, they hosted an event agencies/dcr/ ! 3. The crowd takes in an albino with snakes, both native and reticulated python not-so-native. While this was not 1. Park Interpreter Gillian and the 4. Charlie Saulnier and Skeletor, a Friends of the Fells event, many Coolest Sister Ever learn about a the white-lipped python from members were in attendance. northern pine snake. New Guinea

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News of the Fells 11 Social Innovation Forum by Sheri Qualters

Friends of the Fells leaders vision for improving accessibility expand networks and improve recently learned a lot about for people with disabilities were operations. putting the organization’s best just a few of his topics. The nonprofits learned at foot forward by taking part in The Friends was among a group weekly training workshops run by a pilot boot camp program for of eight nonprofits that made it Social Innovation Forum staff and innovative nonprofits that work through the boot camp and made business and nonprofit leaders, on environmental sustainability. presentations at the Solutions and from forum supporters who The Friends “graduated” for a Sustainable Community: served as one-on-one coaches. from the nine-week program Creating a Greener Greater The Friends’ Executive Dir- by participating in a June 23 Boston breakfast event. ector Neil Anderson said the pitch meeting and networking Two Boston-based entities organization was “incredibly event at District Hall in Boston’s teamed up to offer the boot honored” to be selected for the Seaport District. Executive camp: the Social Innovation program. Director Neil Anderson was tasked Forum, which connects inno- “It was an amazing nine weeks with delivering a three-minute vative nonprofits and social in which we were connected with talk to roughly 100 investors, impact businesses to investors, some incredible innovators from philanthropists, community supporters and in-kind partners; across the nonprofit sector and partners, and stakeholders. and the Schrafft Charitable were able, with the help of skilled Anderson covered a lot of Trust, a private family found- coaches, to really develop our ground in that timed speech. ation that gives grants to messaging in a concise way that Longstanding and innovative nonprofits focused on educating will help us in the year ahead Friends programs, the plans to disadvantaged youth. Boot to broaden our support base expand youth offerings and the camp taught participants how and deepen our impact,” Ander- Trail Adopter Program, and our to boost organizational visibility, son said.

12 News of the Fells Langwood Commons Update by Mike Ryan and Sheri Qualters

Friends of the Fells returned to of a “reduced-build alternative… the Appeals Court last month to able to be accommodated by the seek a ruling that would require parkways with minimum adverse developers of the proposed impacts.” Langwood Commons project to complete a MEPA environmental With your help, we will see impact review. this campaign through to success! Please contribute to At the June 20 hearing, the the Fells Defense Campaign; Friends attorney, Barry Fogel of your response today could help Keegan Werlin LLP, argued that protect the Fells for generations. unless developers comply with Join us in our goal to make the January 2006 MEPA ruling, sure that whatever is built on the Fells Spot Pond district the former hospital site will would be swamped in traffic be at a scale in harmony with that would require conversion of the Fells Spot Pond District, parkways into dense highways. its historic parkways, and our The ruling called for presentation neighborhoods.

Noah Kaplan

News of the Fells 13