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Last Update: 8/11/2010
Massachusetts Forests and Parks Need More Friends
New in 2009—Friends of Scusset Beach Reservation! Welcome to the Network!
(More about the FSBR below)
The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) oversees 259 forests and parks but only about 34 friends groups serve a particular state property. Because forests and parks thrive under the special care that friends groups provide, we'd like to see a friends group for every public land in the Commonwealth. We're here to help you start a friends group for your favorite forest, park or trail. Contact the Friends Network at friend@networkingfriends.net
Why participate in a friends group?
Brian Shanahan, Regional Director, Southeast Region, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
"Stewardship of public lands is the highest form of recreational activity!"
The Trust For Public Land Park Safety and Physical Activity.
"Safe neighborhood parks provide diverse opportunities for low or no-cost physical activity
for children and adults. Furthermore, the entire community can benefit from parks that are crime-free, well-maintained, and have adequate programming. As essential public infrastructure, parks can have a powerful and positive influence on community life and public safety.
Efforts that engage residents to create new or improve existing parks have been shown to build the social capital of a neighborhood, increase trust and cooperation among neighbors, and cultivate a sense of community ownership.
The increased social capital resulting from park-related civic engagement confers additional benefits to a community including fewer violent crimes, enhanced quality of life, as well as improved health and social indicators."
Does your favorite forest or park have a friends group?
Massachusetts Forests and Parks with and without Friends Groups
Friends of Scusset Beach Reservation
Text and photos sent in by Paul Loiselle, Vice President, Friends of Scusset Beach Reservation.
Friends of Scusset Beach Reservation is a newly formed group. We met for an organizational meeting on September 27, 2009. We elected officers, made the decision to incorporate and discussed our first project. No final decision was made on the first project, but it was decided to have the outcome(s) of the first project benefit all three user groups. The three user groups of Scusset Beach are the campers, beach goers and day visitors (walkers, fishermen, bicyclist etc).
This summer (2009) the group informally did several projects and had 3 pancake breakfasts as fund raisers. The pictures reflect trees and plants being planted at the entrance to the campground, grills being installed at the Fish Pier and the cooking crew getting ready for one of the pancake breakfasts.
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We'd like to hear from you!
Contact the MA Forest and Park Friends Network Facilitators
