PRESS RELEASE Baker-Polito Administration Announces 12th Annual Park Serve Day State Park Clean-Up Events Set for Saturday, April 28, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/18/2018 Department of Conservation & Recreation

MEDIA CONTACT

Troy Wall, Press Secretary Phone 617-626-1453

Online [email protected] BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the 12th Annual Park Serve Day event will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018, with more than 30 state park events organized throughout the Commonwealth. Park Serve Day is a statewide initiative that was created as a day of volunteerism encouraging the public to partner with state government in an effort to prepare the Commonwealth’s many state parks and beaches for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Since its inception, thousands of people have volunteered, assisting in cleaning coastlines, clearing trails, picking up litter, planting flowers, and other important tasks.

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s park system provides invaluable natural, cultural, recreational and historical resources that enhance our lives on a daily basis,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With local cleanup events coordinated at several popular state parks, Park Serve Day is an opportunity to give back and assist in beautifying our important environmental assets.”

All of the local Park Serve Day locations will take place with varying start and end times between the hours of 8:00AM and 5:00PM. Participants are encouraged to reach out to their local state park to confirm event times and meeting locations. Work gloves and equipment necessary to complete various projects will be provided by the DCR; however, if participants choose, they can bring their own gloves or hand tools (personal materials should be clearly marked with the owner’s name and phone number on them). Furthermore, power tools will not be allowed.

“Every year thousands of dedicated volunteers work in partnership on Park Serve Day to protect and improve our state parks for all to enjoy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “ has long recognized the importance of conserving and protecting our natural resources, and I’m proud that the Baker-Polito Administration continues that practice to ensure future generations of people will benefit from these vital public green spaces.”

Additionally, drinking water will be supplied at all DCR facilities where Park Serve Day projects have been organized, although participants may wish to bring their own water and/or food. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and work clothes, and bring sunscreen and insect repellent. All events are rain or shine, so please dress accordingly. Also, all parking fees for volunteers will be waived at locations where Park Serve Day events are taking place.

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation is grateful for the volunteers who turn out every year, regardless of weather conditions, to assist in our shared stewardship of the state park system’s 450,000 acres of publicly managed properties and facilities,” said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “By fostering strong partnerships with the public, friends groups, municipalities, and other stakeholders, the Baker- Polito Administration continues to effectively provide a first class parks system for all to enjoy.”

To find a Park Serve Day event near you, please review the list below or search the Park Serve Day webpage, where volunteers can register for an event. Park Serve Day 2018 – Participating Parks:

Boston Region Alewife Reservation, Watertown - Meet across from MBTA stop; 9:00AM-2:00PM Charles River Reservation, Boston/Waltham - visit CRWA.org for details and to register; 9:00AM- 12:00PM Factory Hill Park, Hyde Park; 10:00AM-12:00PM Murphy Rink, South Boston - Meet at Murphy Rink, 1880 William J. Day Blvd; 10:00AM-1:00PM Reservation, Mattapan, Hyde Park, Dorchester, Quincy - visit Neponset.org for details and to register; 9:00AM-12:00PM Southwest Corridor, Jamaica Plain - Meet at Rose Garden (near Mass. Ave and Wellington St.); 10:00AM-12:30PM

Central Region Blackstone Heritage River and Canal State Park, Uxbridge - Meet at River Bend Farm Visitor Center; 9:00AM-3:00PM , Baldwinville - Meet at Otter River Headquarters Building; 10:00AM-12:00PM Upton State Forest, Upton - Meet at the CCC Camp Headquarters Building; 9:00AM-12:00PM Ware River Watershed - Meet at DCR Oakham Office, Turnpike Road; 9:00AM-1:00PM

North Region Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, East Boston - Meet at Main Parking Lot, 1339 Bennington Street; 9:00AM-12:00PM , Newburyport - Meet at the Park Headquarters Building; 9:00AM-1:00PM Middlesex Fells Reservation: Sheepfold, Stoneham - Meet in the upper parking lot; 9:00AM-1:00PM Middlesex Fells Reservation: Flynn Rink, Medford; 9:00AM-1:00PM , Nahant (April 22, 2018) - Meet at Ward Bathhouse; 9:00AM-2:00PM Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Salisbury (May 5 & 6) - Meet at Parking Lot #1; 10:00AM-4:00PM , Hopkinton (April 21, 2018) - Meet at the Boat Launching area; 9:00AM-12:00PM

South Region Blue Hills Stables, Milton - Meet at Mounted House at 725 Hillside Street; 9:00AM-2:00PM , Easton - Meet at the Visitor Center; 3:00PM-5:00PM Boston Harbor Islands, Spectacle Island - Meet at Long Wharf North by 9:00AM; 9:00AM-2:30PM Manuel Correllus State Forest, Edgartown - Meet at Park Headquarters, 92 Sanderson Ave.; 9:30AM- 2PM , Taunton - Meet at the Contact Station Parking Lot; 9:00AM-1:00PM Myles Standish State Forest, Carver - Meet at Park Headquarters; 9:00AM-2:00PM , Brewster - Meet at Main Parking Lot; 8:30AM-2:00PM Scusset Beach Reservation, Sandwich - Meet at the Nature Center; 9:00AM-12:00PM Shawme Crowell State Forest, Sandwich - Meet at Pavilion on Area 2 C-Road; 10:00AM-1:00PM West Region , Monterey at Benedict Pond Road; 1:00PM-3:00PM Connecticut River Greenway, Hadley - Meet at South Maple Street; 10:00AM-12:00PM DAR State Forest, Goshen - Meet at the Campground Pavilion (between sites 13&14); 10:00AM- 1:00PM Great Falls Discovery Center, Montaque - Meet in the Great Hall; 10:00AM-12:00PM Holyoke Heritage State Park, Holyoke - Meet at the Visitor Center; 10:00AM-3:00PM

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Media Contact

Troy Wall, Press Secretary +

Phone 617-626-1453

Online [email protected] Department of Conservation & Recreation DCR manages state parks and oversees more than 450,000 acres throughout Massachusetts. It protects, promotes, and enhances the state’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

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Park Serve Day 2018 | Saturday, April 28