Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
"This summer DCR is looking to fill more that 1,500 seasonal positions at state parks, forests, beaches, pools, and campgrounds from the Boston Harbor Islands to the peak of Mount Greylock! Check the link to search and apply!"
"You may have noticed a construction trailer at Center St parking area and signs at Fox Run Rd and near Harpin St. Exciting things are happening!
The DCR has hired a contractor to improve the section of the SNETT between the Fox Run Rd and Rt. 126. The clearing will start soon. We will post more details as they become available.:
Massachusetts residents aged 62 or older are eligible for a discounted lifetime parking pass. This pass covers the cost of parking at most state parks.
If you are eligible for a Senior Parking Pass, you can order it by mail.
Send a request for a Senior Parking Pass to your closest regional office:
Central Regional Office
355 West Boylston Street, Route 110
Clinton, MA 01510
Attention: Senior Pass
Include:
A copy of your Massachusetts driver’s license or other official proof of state residency and age.
A check for $10 made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
A contact phone number or email in case we need to reach you. (Optional)
Senior passes may take 4-7 weeks before they are mailed.
Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) tweeted on Thu, Jul 22, 2021:
Glad to join state + local officials today in Sandwich to award nearly $4M in MassTrails Grant Program funding to 52 trail projects to support construction, maintenance + improvement of public trails across the Commonwealth.
Organization: Department of Conservation and Recreation
Project Title: F. Gilbert Hills/Wrentham/Franklin OHV Trail Repair and Improvements
Brief Project Description:
"This project builds off previous trail repair work aimed to protect wetland and soil resources, repair poor trail conditions, and enhance user experience for all visitors. Years of repeated motorized use with a lack of substantial trail repair have resulted in a trail which is up to fifteen feet wide in various locations. Fall line trails with poor drainage potential have left some areas eroded to almost two feet below the original trail surface. Conditions addressed as part of the project include braided hill climbs, mud pits with standing water, and needed trail relocation"
"Thanks to @MassDCR for an incredible job building a new parking lot for expanded State Forest access! Thanks to @jeffroy for your advocacy on this important state project! It’s summer, Franklin, let’s go explore Franklin State Forest!!!"
State forest parking lot on Grove St is ready for use
"All coastal beach reservation parking areas managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation will be closed to reduce groups of people from gathering during the coronavirus outbreak. Gov. Charlie Baker issued the emergency order that goes into effect Friday at noon. DCR will open select state parks early and expand access to other parks to provide additional open space opportunities for residents, the governor said. DCR will also be limiting the amount of parking spaces available at certain high-visitation state parks.
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DCR’s ice rinks, visitor centers, campgrounds, playgrounds, fitness areas, athletic fields, athletic courts, golf courses and bathroom facilities will remain closed until May 4"
Charles River Meadowland Initiative has announced an effort to secure the services of a consulting firm to undertake a study of more than 500 acres of lands in the towns of Franklin, Bellingham, and Medway currently under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the study is to assess conservation and passive recreation opportunities available on those lands and adjacent town lands. The $25,000 grant made available through the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) was facilitated by state representative Jeffrey Roy, representing Franklin and Medway, state representative Kevin Kuros, representing Bellingham, as well as former state representative John V. Fernandes of Milford. According to Franklin Director of Planning, Bryan Taberner, the immediate goal is to identify a qualified firm and work to a timeline that will produce a report by the first half of 2019. “We expect that process should identify a few key areas for focus as well as general long-term goals,” he said. The work will be managed by a Working Group consisting of volunteers from the three communities, he added. As part of the process, the Meadowlands Initiative Working Group and the consultant will be planning and hosting public hearings in Franklin, Bellingham, and Medway to identify ideas and concerns from townspeople, abutters, local officials, and others interested in the project. Feedback from that process will eventually become part of the report. “This is a great step forward for the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative and is a credit to the many volunteers, our dedicated local legislators, and our local officials who have generously shared their time and ideas,” said Alan Earls, founder of the organization.
About the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative
The towns of Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway play host to more than 500 acres of land protected by the US Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Charles River Natural Valley flood control project. Organized in 2015 with guidance from Metacomet Land Trust, Charles River Meadowlands Initiative is an effort among citizens and local officials to work together and to work with Federal and State officials, to improve access to and management of this beautiful natural resource. For more information visit www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org For questions about the Meadowland Initiative, please contact Alan Earls: alan.r.earls@gmail.com For questions about the specific project parameters and requirements, contact Byran Taberner: btaberner@franklinma.gov
Oct. 28. 2017, 20 walkers explored between Oak St. Extension and White Ave in Franklin. (courtesy photo)
"If you’ve resolved to get in touch with nature in 2018, you’ll have an opportunity to do so on the very first day of the year.
The Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park will be hosting a “First Day Hike” in the afternoon on New Year’s Day - part of a statewide series of hikes held by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. According to the department, this will be the fifth year the event has been offered in Uxbridge, though the first hike in the state took place 27 years ago at Milton’s Blue Hills Reservation.
Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the park’s River Bend Farm Visitor Center at 287 Oak St., while the hike will kick off at 1 p.m."
"August trees are looking more like November trees in some areas after gypsy moth caterpillars devoured leaves more aggressively than they had since the 1980s.
A recent aerial survey completed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) revealed that damaged caused to trees by gypsy moth caterpillers feeding in 2016 was more than nine times greater than the damage in 2015.
Each year, the DCR Forest Health Program conducts an aerial survey to measure the extent of damage caused to forests by different agents.
The 2016 survey, conducted the second week of July, revealed 362,254 acres of damage from gypsy moths, crypt gall wasps and conifer discoloration.
MA DCR aerial survey - tree damage from gypsy moths 2016
"Working out of an unassuming building on Maple Street in Bellingham, Gail Bourassa has started a difficult job: getting mental health care to senior citizens, a group that has traditionally been reticent to seek help.
Bourassa, a counselor, is the new regional program manager for a project - running across Franklin, Bellingham, Blackstone, Medway, Milford and Mendon - that looks to reach seniors where they live.
"Young people often self-refer (to these services) when they need it," she said. "For elders, it's more difficult - they rarely self-refer."
"The Department of Conservation and Recreation has announced a new Healthy Heart Trail at Franklin State Forest.
This trail is one of more than 70 Healthy Heart Trails that DCR has designated across the commonwealth to promote good health and a connection with nature. Park supervisor Tom Ashton and his staff have marked the 1.2-mile trail that covers several rolling hills. Ashton encourages visitors to access the trail at the entrance adjacent to the Hockomock YMCA, as well as the gate along Grove Street.
Covering 843 acres in the Forge Hill area, Franklin State Forest is a minimally developed property managed for passive recreation. For maps or information: mass.gov/dcr."
The Mass Great Outdoors blog is a recent discovery of mine that you might be interested in following. Two years ago the stink bug made its appearance well known in my house. Winter moths appeared in droves last year. This recent posting covers the natural order of the creatures at this time of year.
It’s that time of year again: temperatures outside are dropping, and to some insects, this is an open invitation to enter your home and hunker down for the winter. Here are the three you may likely see around Massachusetts this fall: 1) Western Conifer Seed ...Continue Reading The Scoop on Stink Bugs and Other Home Invaders
Milford Daily News reports on a significant milestone for the SNETT trail, it is now included in the MA Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) webpage.
"One of our major goals has been for DCR to create a website for the SNETT," said Jean Keyes, of Bellingham, a member of the group. "It’s their property, but it has never been mentioned on any of their sites listing options for recreation. We were really fighting hard to get that on there."
In the last two years, volunteers have coordinated projects along the trail, from installing signs and gates to grading or widening certain sections. Starting at the Franklin State Forest, the SNETT stretches east to west, winding through Bellingham, Uxbridge, Blackstone, Millville and, finally, Douglas.
Depending on available funding, there are plans to link the trial to the Blackstone River Bikeway, a proposed 48-mile trail that would travel from Worcester to Providence, R.I.