MPA seeks larger budget increase for DCR

You may have seen our email alert about the House Ways & Means Committee’s budget proposal for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which cuts the governor’s proposal by $300,000. Both the Healey-Driscoll Administration and House Ways & Means are proposing a slight increase in DCR’s Parks and Recreation Operations account (line 2810-0100), 2.2 percent, and 2.0 percent, respectively. But this increase does not cover the state’s 2024 inflation rate of 3.0 percent.

So, in reality, both proposals represent a small budget cut to the agency as we head into peak summer season. Add to that the fact that the state’s Operational Services Division estimates the inflation rate for FY2026 will be 3.7 percent, and it becomes imperative that we adequately fund DCR operations.

With that in mind, we asked state Rep. Michelle Ciccolo of Lexington, House chair of the Legislative Trails Caucus, to file an amendment that would give DCR a $5.0 million increase in this account to bring it to $115,044,560. We thank her for doing so. This represents a 4.5 percent increase over this fiscal year’s appropriation, which adjusted for inflation is 1.5 percent.

Given uncertainties around federal funding for Massachusetts, especially funding for the National Park Service (NPS) properties located in our state, we think this is a reasonable increase Massachusetts can well afford. We remain concerned that inadequate funding for NPS properties will increase visits to DCR properties. This is another reason to keep DCR’s operations budget above the rate of inflation.

If you asked your state representative to cosponsor and support this amendment, we thank you for your effort. The deadline to cosponsor the bill has passed. We now have 15 House cosponsors. We thank these House members for supporting more funding for our state parks and other DCR assets. It is not too late to ask your representative to support Amendment 1141 on the House floor, as the House has begun debating the budget. Please ask them to ask House leadership to approve the amendment as part of the final House Budget.

You can thank Amendment 1141 supporters directly for standing up for our parks via email by clicking on the links below then using the link to their email address. We strongly encourage you to do so, especially if they represent you.

Michelle Ciccolo, Aaron L. Saunders, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, Mary S. Keefe, Vanna Howard, Amy Mah Sangiolo, Mike Connolly, Greg Schwartz, Kristin E. Kassner, Natalie M. Higgins, Marcus S. Vaughn, Jonathan D. Zlotnik, William F. MacGregor, Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Tommy Vitolo, and Tackey Chan.

Once the House completes its work on the budget, the Senate Ways & Means Committee will unveil its proposed FY2026 budget, and the process starts again. After Senate approval, a House – Senate Conference Committee will negotiate a final budget to send to the Administration for consideration. The new fiscal year starts July 1, 2025. So, we have a few more opportunities to get DCR a modest increase that will keep the agency moving forward on the considerable progress made during the last two fiscal years.

Commissioner Brian Arrigo to Leave DCR

We were sad to learn that DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo, the former Mayor of Revere, will be leaving DCR for a position at UMass Lowell later this year. It is our understanding that he will have considerable input into the search for a replacement. You may recall that Commissioner Arrigo, having been recently hired, was our keynote speaker when we launched Mass Parks for All in May of 2023.

We have enjoyed collaborating with him and the rest of the DCR staff during his productive, albeit short tenure. He brought a level of energy and commitment to our state parks that has had a tremendous impact for the better. We wish him well in his new role and look forward to the process of selecting and working with the next DCR commissioner.

In-person Launch Event for Nature for Massachusetts and Virtual Public Forum by the Accessible Trails Working Group

May 8 is a big day for two statewide coalitions MPA belongs to, Nature for Massachusetts (NMA) and the Trails Accessibility Working Group (TAWG).

NMA is organized around a bill filed for the current legislative session, An Act Providing Nature for All (H.901 / S.597), which would divert the sales tax on certain sporting goods to a Nature for All Fund administered by the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA).

According to the bill text, the fund would be used for many related purposes, including, “…the creation and improvement of parks, greenspaces, trails, and outdoor recreation access, especially those in underserved neighborhoods; (2) the conservation or restoration of land to protect drinking water and the quality of streams, rivers, lakes and coasts; (3) the conservation or restoration of farms, forests, and other land to advance statewide biodiversity goals, climate goals, natural and working lands goals, resiliency goals, and environmental justice goals; (4) the conservation of land parcels to provide connectivity between open spaces; (5) the conservation and restoration of lands of indigenous cultural significance and the restoration of access for indigenous people; and (6) the provision of ongoing stewardship, outdoor recreation access, and management of such resources.” 

The launch event on May 8 will take place at the State House, Room 428, from 1:30-4:00 p.m. After a presentation on the bill, advocates will conduct a lobby day in the building. This is a great way to learn more about the legislation and how you can help advocate for more funding for our environment, clean water, and climate, and to ensure everyone in Massachusetts has access to nature. You can RSVP here: https://bit.ly/naturersvp.

Later that evening, the TAWG in conjunction with the state Office of Outdoor Recreation, and Unpaved Trails for All will hold its first virtual public forum from 6-8 p.m. to get public input on the best ways to foster, “…trail accessibility and promoting inclusive outdoor experiences across Massachusetts. Currently, many trails present barriers for individuals with disabilities and seniors. TAWG aims to identify these challenges and set goals for improving access. The group recommends actions for state, local, and private programs, policies, and investments focused on adaptive trail design and outdoor recreation. Through this collaboration, TAWG seeks to make Massachusetts one of the most accessible and welcoming places for all to enjoy the outdoors.”

You can register for and join the meeting here: http://www.bit.ly/AccessibleTrails1.

There is also a bill in the state Legislature associated with this effort, S.548 / H.915, An Act Expanding Access to Trails for People of All Abilities. You can learn more about the bill at the Unpaved Trails for All website.

Please take advantage of these opportunities to make your voices for the betterment of our parks, trails, and other outdoor recreational opportunities heard.

Doug Pizzi is executive director of Mass Parks for All