DCR Project Shade – Lake Wyola SP Public Meeting 6/4/2025

DCR is taking action to address climate impacts in our parks, and a priority is addressing extreme heat by installing additional shade for our staff and visitors. At this virtual public meeting, the project team will present the DCR shade proposals for Lake Wyola State Park, including new pavilions, tree plantings and hammock posts.

Climate projections for 2050 are for almost a month of high heat days—daily high temperatures above 90°F in Massachusetts—with a disproportionate impact on environmental justice populations, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases like asthma. DCR’s proposals to increase shade at Pope John Paul II Park will protect visitors as well as those who serve the public daily, including DCR’s rangers, interpretive leaders, and operations staff.

The public will be invited to provide comments during the meeting, after the presentation, by unmuting their microphones, or the chat functionality that will be available through the virtual participation platform. After the meeting, the presentation will be available for viewing on DCR’s Past events for DCR Public Meetings Information web page. DCR encourages the public to share additional feedback, with a deadline for receipt of comments by DCR of June 18^th, 2025. Comments may be submitted via the DCR public comment portal. Please note that the content of comments you submit to DCR, along with your name, town, and zip code, will be posted on DCR's website. Additional contact information required when commenting, notably email address, will only be used for outreach on future updates on the subject project or property.