Mass Parks For All

When you no longer want to give a dam, you can restore balance to a river community.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation oversees more than 3,000 dams and the Charles River Dam at South Natick was at failure.The dams at that location have flooded since the early 1800s, and this iteration that was built in 1935 has eroded to the point of being dangerous. Ice flows and dangerous spring floods have threatened the eroding dam and the properties downstream.
In late summer the major work of removing the old structure took place, but work is still happening, monitoring the banks, removing invasive plants and finding a new normal for the nearby town parks.
It remains to be seen what the new water levels will uncover. The last failure in the 1920s revealed stepping stones upstream that were attributed to the local Nipmuc traders who had used the river before colonial times.
Photos by Michael L. Hayes
Charles River Watershed Association Charles River Conservancy Natick

What needs to be heard about your state park?

The DCR Stewardship Council, the Governor-appointed that assists and oversees DCR has a Council Stakeholders Committee meeting. They're hosting a Listening Session for Friends of Parks Groups (DCR Stakeholders) on October 27, 2026 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

The session will include a brief presentation, poll questions, and opportunities for feedback and comments. If you are interested, please register for the Zoom Webinar and complete the brief registration survey. https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fax0XOwiQoKeaTUtgWtfsg #/registration

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

https://www.massparksforall.org/donate

With Labor Day behind us, the parking lots at Nantasket Beach Reservation will start to be quieter on weekends, making it easier to enjoy the mile of sandy beach on the South Shore of Massachusetts without getting there by 8 a.m.

There are still folks ready take advantage of the beach in Hull for its open sands and the Jack Phillips Park playground. Know that tides at Nantasket often cover the south end of the beach in cobblestones. You'll find fewer stones and easier access at the northern end of the beach.
Note that Paragon Park was closed in 1984, the Paragon Carousel built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1928 was maintained as a historic site. It is still open for the fall with reduced hours.
Friends of Nantasket Beach I LOVE HULL

This three-day-weekend means there's an extra day to take the family for a day at Hopkinton State Park. You can take the commuter rail to and walk in, or you can take some of the ample parking near a quiet spot with a grill and a picnic table. There's swimming, you can rent a boat, or you can hike the intermediate perimeter trail that takes you through the 1500 acres of forest.

The park was created in 1947 when the Hopkinton Reservoir was removed as a water source for Greater Boston. The park's dam and spillway were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 -- and you can walk across the dam on your way to swim in the lower section of the reservoir.
Southborough Trails Committee

Yes on 6! Mass Parks For All and Nature For MA were out in full force for a rally with Governor Maura Healey, who is a Yes on Question 6.

Question 6 on the Nov. 3 ballot dedicates the sales tax we already pay on sporting goods to a new Nature for All Fund to protect clean drinking water; conserve forests, family farms, and natural wildlife habitat; and create more parks, trails, and greenspaces for all to enjoy.
Today's rally brought all our friends from the parks: Conservation Law Foundation The Trustees Mass Audubon Charles River Watershed Association
Newton Conservators
State Rep. Amy Mah Sangiolo State Rep. Greg Schwartz

Imagine a clear, saltwater beach within the city limits of Boston that's MBTA accessible. That's exactly what Constitution Beach is, just steps from the Orient Heights station.

This free park has a view of planes at Logan Airport, lots of sea gulls and osprey and cormorants fishing. It has a footbridge to the residential neighborhood, clear water, a giant fenced-in playground, changing rooms, flushing toilets, outdoor showers, water stations and at the main office you can borrow a wheelchair to access the water. It also comes with loads of free parking for those using the park.

This Department of Conservation and Recreation Park is open to Labor Day, so take advantage while it's still summer.

See you tomorrow morning!

YES on 6 Rally with Governor Healey Everyone in Massachusetts deserves clean drinking water and access to nature. This year, we have an important opportunity to protect our rivers, lakes, forests, farms, and wildlife habitats by voting YES on Question 6 on the November 3rd statewide ballot! Join supporters of Question 6, including Gov...