Focus on the Friends 2026
Mass Parks for All had its first-ever park friends’ group summit on May 16, with friends coming from as far away as Cape Cod and Mt. Greylock to talk about how we can work together for our state parks.
Speakers included Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Deputy Commissioner of Policy and Public Affairs Kendra Amaral; DCR Director of Partnerships Paul Fahey; DCR Stewardship Council Vice Chair Susan Smiley; MPA Executive Director Doug Pizzi; and the Massachusetts State Director for the Trust for Public Land, Jodi Valenta.
Hosted by Wachusett Mountain Ski Resort, the meetup allowed advocates for rivers, parks, land trusts and trails to meet and learn from each other.
The day started off with lunch at Mountainside Bakery & Cafe, an example of DCR’s Historic Curatorship Program. The 122-year-old superintendent's house at Mount Wachusett State Reservation, which had fallen into disrepair, is now a gathering spot for live music, breakfast and lunch and even sports a tap room on site.
Moving on to the main event at Wachusett Mountain Ski Resort, friends from the Blue Hills, Myles Standish State Forest, the Mass Central Rail Trail and all places in between met and talked about shared issues of stewardship, park management and working with DCR and its advocates, including the DCR Stewardship Council.
Last but not least came an update on the Nature for MA Coalition’s November 2026 ballot initiative to direct funds from the sales tax on sporting goods — already paid by consumers —to conservation and clean water initiatives.
This will not be the last of such meetups. We are stronger working together for all our parks.
Mass Parks for All is grateful to those who attended, DCR and our event sponsors.
