{"id":29168,"date":"2021-02-13T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-13T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/framinghamsource.com\/?p=29168"},"modified":"2021-02-13T14:13:43","modified_gmt":"2021-02-13T19:13:43","slug":"video-mass-dcr-announces-family-friendly-self-guided-opportunities-for-february-school-vacation-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/framinghamsource.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/13\/video-mass-dcr-announces-family-friendly-self-guided-opportunities-for-february-school-vacation-week\/","title":{"rendered":"VIDEO: Mass DCR Announces Family-Friendly Self-Guided Opportunities for February School Vacation Week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The following is a press release from Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BOSTON\u00a0\u2014 The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced it\u00a0will offer family-friendly\u00a0Trip-Tips,\u00a0<\/em>self-guided adventures and suggested hikes for approximately 20 state park facilities during the traditional February school vacation week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programming can be enjoyed at any time starting today, February 13, 2021. DCR\u00a0Trip-Tips<\/em>\u00a0provide children and their families with self-guided activity ideas to lead their exploration of a local state park or watershed. The\u00a0Trip-Tips<\/em>\u00a0include activities\u00a0like\u00a0winter birding,\u00a0wildlife observation. history tours,\u00a0and\u00a0scavenger hunts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a full list of\u00a0Trip-Tips<\/em>, visit DCR\u2019s\u00a0website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis winter, DCR is thrilled to offer school vacation\u00a0Trip-Tips\u00a0<\/em>encouraging children and their families to\u00a0enjoy the fresh\u00a0air and experience self-guided opportunities in their local\u00a0state\u00a0park,\u201d\u00a0said Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Jim Montgomery.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThe\u00a0Baker-Polito Administration continues to increase both access within our state parks system and opportunities for the public to enjoy the many\u00a0recreational\u00a0resources available to them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the school vacation week programming, DCR is offering public skating at\u00a0Kelly Outdoor Rink from 12:00pm to 7:30pm Sundays through Fridays and 2:00pm to 7:30pm on Saturdays.\u00a0DCR is also offering self-guided suggested hiking adventures at approximately 70 locations statewide.\u00a0The DCR\u00a0Trip-Tip<\/em>\u00a0itineraries and self-guided recommended hikes can be found on the DCR\u00a0website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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Some programming highlights include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central Massachusetts<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step Back in Time at Quabbin Reservoir<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location: Quabbin Reservoir, 100 Winsor Dam Road, Belchertown<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quabbin Reservoir is a vital water supply source for approximately 3 million people in Massachusetts. Participants will discover three unique areas in the Quabbin Reservation that spotlight what life was like before four towns were removed to build the reservoir: Quabbin Park, Quabbin Park Cemetery, and Dana Common (Gate 40). Please note, dogs are not allowed anywhere in Quabbin Park or Quabbin Reservation. Suitable for all ages. No parking fees apply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore the Central Valley<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location: Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, 287 Oak Street, Uxbridge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Upton State Forest, 205 Westboro Road, Upton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Moore State Park, 1 Sawmill Road, Paxton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massachusetts\u2019\u00a0state parks are known for their scenic and natural beauty, but visitors can also see evidence of the human history of the area. Families will experience a walk along the Tow Path at Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park.\u00a0Along the way you will see a dam and control gate, the remains of a bridge, and the Stanley Woolen Mill which used the water power from the canal to operate its machinery during the industrial revolution. At Upton State Forest, explore see the remains of the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp from the 1930s and take a walk on the Healthy Heart Loop to Moore State Park in Paxton and take the Water Power Walk and explore the remains of the mill village that was\u00a0 built on this site and see how they used the creek to power the mills that were the heart of the village.\u00a0Snow on the ground? The hikes in this\u00a0Trip Tip<\/em>\u00a0can\u00a0be done just as easily\u00a0via snowshoe.\u00a0Suitable for all ages. No parking fees apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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Southeastern Massachusetts<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winter Woodland Wanders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location: Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Avenue, North Easton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bristol Blake State Reservation, 108 North Street, Norfolk <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    F. Gilbert Hills State Forest, 45 Mill Street, Foxborough<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover parks with diverse woodlands and view the wildlife that inhabits the forest! This self-guided Trip-Tips<\/em> features three DCR parks that are located close to one another in Norfolk County: Borderland State Park, Bristol Blake State Reservation, and F. Gilbert Hills State Forest. Participants will enjoy a Pond Walk Tree Hunt<\/em> at Borderland State Park, a Pond Loop Walk<\/em> and  Wildlife Spotting<\/em> at Bristol Blake State Reservation and History and Hike<\/em> to High Rock at F. Gilbert Hills State Forest. Suitable for all ages. Parking fees apply at Borderland State Park only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore the Shore<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location: Scusset Beach State Reservation, 20 Scusset Beach Road, Sagamore<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ellisville Harbor State Park,1861 State Road, Plymouth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pilgrim Memorial State Park, 79 Water Street, Plymouth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the shore this winter! This self-guided Trip-Tips<\/em> features three DCR parks that are located close to one another in the Plymouth area: Scusset Beach State Reservation, Ellisville Harbor State Park, and Pilgrim Memorial State Park. Trip Tips<\/em> activities include a Ship Watching Picnic<\/em> at the canal at Sagamore Hill, a Beach Scavenger Hunt & Seal Watching<\/em> and a Monuments and Memorial Tour<\/em> at Pilgrim Memorial State Park. Suitable for all ages. No parking fees apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winter Woods and Water Exploration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location: Blue Hills Reservation, 695 Hillside Street, Milton<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investigate the\u00a0Winter Woods and Waters<\/em>\u00a0of the Blue Hills Reservation! This self-guided\u00a0Trip-Tips<\/em>\u00a0features three park areas located within the 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation. Activities include a walk along the edge of Marigold Marsh to look for signs of animal activity at Houghton\u2019s Pond Recreation Area, a peaceful parade around Ponkapoag Pond, and a\u00a0St. Moritz Winter Wonderland Walk<\/em>. The Blue Hills Reservation encompasses approximately 10 square miles and stretches from Dedham to Quincy, AA Milton to Randolph, providing\u00a0a\u00a0surprisingly large open space only 35 miles from Boston.\u00a0Suitable for all ages. No parking fees apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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Western Massachusetts<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winter Wanders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location: Wendell State Forest, 392 Wendell Rd, Millers Falls<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Canalside Rail Trail, Unity Park, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Mount Tom State Reservation, 125 Reservation Road, Holyoke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     DAR State Forest, 78 Cape Street, Goshen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wander through winter with this series of park adventures, with Trip-Tips<\/em> all along the Connecticut River Valley. From mountain vistas to valley snow and rushing rivers, your travels include Wendell State Forest, the Canalside Rail Trail, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Reservation, and Mount Tom State Reservation. Choose one park, two parks, or make it a multi-day adventure and challenge yourself to visit all four parks with your family during February school vacation week, or anytime this winter. Suitable for all ages. No parking fees apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northeastern, Massachusetts<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beaver Lodge Hunt and Find<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location: Bradley Palmer State Park, 40 Asbury Street, Topsfield<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Harold Parker State Forest, 305 Middleton Road, North Andover<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore the woodsand find the homes of nature\u2019s engineers! The beaver is a rarely seen, secretive animal, but their signs are easily noticed if you know where and how to look. This self-guided Trip-Tips<\/em> takes you on a beaver lodge discovery tour in two parks to find lodges in four different locations. Sharpen your skills of observation as you look for signs that are hidden in plain sight\u2014things that a lot of people just don\u2019t see. Your journey will take you to Bradley Palmer State Parkin Topsfield and Harold Parker State Forestin North Andover, two forested parks that are about 30 minutes apart. Suitable for all ages. No parking fees apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore the Winter Shore<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location: Halibut Point State Park, Gott Avenue, Rockport<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Revere Beach Reservation, Revere Beach Boulevard, Revere<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, 1399 Bennington Street, East Boston<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore history and nature on the shore this winter! These self-guided Trip-Tips<\/em> feature three DCR parks that are located along a scenic ocean drive: Halibut Point State Park, Revere Beach Reservation, and Belle Isle Marsh Reservation. Activities include viewing the harlequin ducks, eider ducks, and loons at the rocky coastal water\u2019s edge of Halibut Point, searching for and photographing noteworthy buildings and structures that grace the shoreline, and exploring a saltmarsh filled with a variety of winter birds including the American Black Duck, Brant and, Great Blue Heron at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation. Don\u2019t forget to bring along your binoculars, spotting scope, camera, and sketch pad!Suitable for all ages. No parking fees apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visitors are encouraged to tweet, post, and tag photos on social media using\u00a0@MassDCR<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0#DCRTripTips<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DCR asks visitors to park in designated areas only, and\u00a0to\u00a0come back another time if a parking lot is full. Many visitor centers remain closed. However, restrooms or porta-johns within many DCR parks remain open. Dogs are\u00a0required\u00a0to be on leash in state parks unless signage designates otherwise. Dogs are not permitted on DCR Water Supply Protection areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find a dog-friendly park, visit the DCR\u00a0website.
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When visiting state parks, DCR offers general guidance for visitors to follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n