Greater Boston's Season of “Social Trust”
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EXPLORATIONS Greater Boston’s Season of “Social Trust” Getting away and outside safely this summer by nell porter brown Clockwise from top: Broadmoor and Ipswich River sanctuaries (Mass Audubon); Naumkeag Estate (Trustees); Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins (Appalachian Mountain Club); and Crane Beach (Trustees) the pandemic—until they became overrun. n late May, Harvard T.H. Chan School rules. “Importantly, the burden is not just “We had a lot of visitors using sites as recre- of Public Health assistant professor Jo- on parks and park rangers, but it’s also on ation areas,” reports Gail Yeo, vice president seph Allen put it bluntly: “This is going people. And to get through this, it’s going for wildlife sanctuaries and programs. People I to be a very different summer.” to take a great deal of social trust,” Allen brought dogs, even where they are prohibited. Even as many parks and preserves that repeatedly emphasized during a press brief- Parked cars spilled out of lots, illegally jam- closed in the early days of the COVID-19 ing after the release of Massachusetts gover- ming public roads. Landscapes outside the pandemic began reopening this spring, nor Charlie Baker’s cautious, multi-phased designated trails were being trampled—or visitor access came with strict protocols reopening plan. “We should view going to used as rest rooms. “People were just really designed not only to prevent viral spread- parks and other activities that are starting to exploring in a way that was kind of excit- ing, but also to protect natural areas from reopen as a privilege,” Allen added, “which ing,” says Yeo, “but completely out of control.” damage caused by overcrowding. Further can quickly be revoked.” But she expected that most of the non- reopenings throughout the summer depend Like many conservation organizations, profit’s 57 public sanctuaries would be re- on visitors’ willingness to abide by the new Mass Audubon kept its sites open early in opened by mid June, with some, like the CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: MASS AUDUBON/KRISTIN FORESTO; MASS AUDUBON/KELLY MOFFETT; THE TRUSTEES; APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB; THE TRUSTEES 8b July - August 2020 Reprinted from Harvard Magazine. For more information, contact Harvard Magazine, Inc. at 617-495-5746 We work closely with you, even when we can’t work closely with you. Times have changed. But we’re still dedicated to delivering GAIL ROBERTS exceptional service, in person or via technology. Maybe that’s why we’re ranked #1 again. 617-245-4044 • gailroberts.com ED FEIJO & TEAM 200708_GailRoberts.indd 1 5/18/20 3:49 PM HARVARD SQUARED more popular Broadmoor, in Natick, and Ip- swich River, in Topsfield, requiring advance day-of-visit online reservations to control the influx of visitors. Other properties that have already reopened, and do not require reservations, provide easy day-outings from Boston. Explore natural habitats and six miles of trails at Flat Rock Wildlife Sanctu- ary, in Fitchburg, which abuts the separate Crocker Conservation Area, with wind- ing walks around the Overlook Reservoir. In Princeton, Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary offers hilly paths through woods and meadows, unusual rock formations, and notable old-growth tree specimens. Take connecting trails to Wachusett Mountain and the Midstate Trail systems for more ex- tensive, rigorous outings. Yeo also hopes that APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB MOUNTAIN APPALACHIAN Enjoy a quiet forest hike at Royalston Falls. some small-scale programming, like guided nature walks and other family activities, will be available this summer. The Trustees of Reservations, a Massa- chusetts-based nonprofit conservation orga- nization, had opened the grounds of 91 of its 118 outdoor sites at press time, although its Celebrating our clients who found house (and other) museums, buildings, and most bathrooms will remain closed for the new Zoom backgrounds in 2020. foreseeable future, according to director of public relations Aaron Gouveia. Access to Call us to find yours. especially popular properties—deCordova — Sculpture Park and Museum, Fruitlands Currier, Lane & Young Museum, Naumkeag, World’s End, and [email protected] the idyllic Crane Beach—is available only 617.871.9190 through advance online reservations. (That policy applies to Trustees members and non- currierlaneyoung.com compass.com members alike.) Head to Fruitlands, in Harvard, for coun- CURRIER, LANE & YOUNG IS A TEAM OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS AFFILIATED WITH COMPASS, A LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER, AND ABIDE BY EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY LAWS. try walks, mountain views, and picnics. At deCordova, in Lincoln, stroll expansive 8d July - August 2020 Reprinted from Harvard Magazine. For more information, contact Harvard Magazine, Inc. at 617-495-5746 HARVARD SQUARED lawns dotted with more than 50 works of in secluded wildlife habitats, study birds, than 100 miles of walking, biking, and hik- art, including the delightful Conservatory for mammals, and plants, roam linked hiking ing trails. Northwest of Boston, DCR’s Box- Confectionery Curiosities (2008), by Mark Dion trails, or pedal on more than 13 miles of ford State Forest and Harold Parker State and Dana Sherwood, installed this past win- paved paths. But note that the park’s pop- Forest offer endless exploration, and are ad- ter. The octagonal glass structure holds tan- ular campgrounds were closed as of press jacent to at least 10 other smaller protected talizing tiers of gelatinous “desserts” being time, as were all the DCR-managed camp- landscapes and woodlands also worth visit- enjoyed by faux insects. In Stockbridge, the grounds across the state. (Discussions were ing. Operated by the city of Lynn, the 2,200- Naumkeag estate, anchored by a restored under way about whether and how to pos- acre Lynn Woods Reservation, founded in Gilded Age mansion, offers gracious gardens, sibly open them safely later in the season.) 1881, is the second-largest municipal park in planted terraces, and meandering paths. Closer to Boston, the Middlesex Fells the country. The natural haven offers a real At Crane Beach, where crowds have long Reservation offers wild woods, shady pine- retreat from urban life, but is relatively easy flocked to enjoy cool sea breezes and escape treed routes along reservoirs, and plenty of to reach by bike—via the seven-and-a-half- hot towns and cities, staff-monitored rest- less-trammeled corners throughout more mile Bike to the Sea/Northern Strand Com- rooms will be open—even if the concession stand, outdoor showers, and water fountains are currently not. Gouveia says 500 parking spots are now available, although that number could increase to 750 (half the usual capacity) in June, and walk- or bike-ins are capped at 100 people per day. “It’s a very popular place, which means there is a lot of demand, and now half the supply,” he emphasizes, adding that, Jill Vandor, per Governor Baker’s orders, even while walk- ing, tanning, and playing on the sand, people Executive not already associated with each other must Matchmaker stay 12 feet apart and wear masks. Getting out to paddle on Greater Boston’s waterways is another great way to explore nature and get exercise while staying safe- ly away from other people. Charles River Canoe & Kayak is slated to have opened all of its launch spots in Boston, Cam- bridge, Somerville, Newton, Medford, and Waltham by July 6. A new contact-free digi- tal waiver and prepaid online system enables paddlers to rent boats, although renters are required to be able to get in and out of the boats without physical assistance from staff. Other public boat-access points around Boston are also open to those who bring their own boats, although at press time it was not clear whether the usual boat-rental NOT EVEN A PANDEMIC CAN STOP OUR TEAM outlets at parks operated by the State De- partment of Conservation and Recreation FROM BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER. (DCR) would be open. Throughout the pandemic, DCR’s state WE’LL FIND YOUR MATCH, THE REST IS UP TO YOU! parks and forests have remained open, but this summer, the agency requires continued social-distancing practices and asks that 617-328-3669 OR LUNCHDATES.COM “the public refrain from visiting if crowds are forming at these locations, particularly during high visitation days/times, such as weekends,” according to DCR press secre- WE TAKE CARE OF ALL THE DETAILS. IT’S LIKE HIRING AN tary Olivia Dorrance. (See the DCR website EXECUTIVE RECRUITER FOR YOUR DATING LIFE. for details on other COVID-19 restrictions.) [ [ South of Boston is the sprawling Myles Standish State Forest, spanning the towns of Carver and Plymouth. Get (enjoyably) lost Harvard Magazine 8e Reprinted from Harvard Magazine. For more information, contact Harvard Magazine, Inc. at 617-495-5746 HARVARD SQUARED munity Trail—or car. Not far away, both the including an active Boston-based group, Breakheart Reservation in Wakefield (get a that offer close-to-home hikes, walks, bike workout running its hills, then take a dip in trips, and paddling adventures. AMC presi- the lake, if it’s open) and the Rumney Marsh dent and CEO John Judge, M.P.A. ’01, also Reservation (boating, walking, and fishing) recommends heading out to walk or bike on are also quick escapes into nature. From the sections of the AMC-coordinated Bay Cir- salt marshes, zip over to Revere Beach, or cuit Trail and Greenway, a system in prog- check out other local parks and semi-urban ress that curves west of Boston, extending shorelines—in Nahant, Winthrop, Boston, more than 230 dedicated miles from New- and Quincy. buryport and Plum Island to Kingston Bay, It’s clear that the COVID-19 pandemic’s near Plymouth. (Find route details and maps THE TRUSTEES THE “stay-at-home” or “shelter in place” guid- for the greenway’s current components, Meander through World’s End, Hingham.