Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces DCR’s Free Family Programming Across Massachusetts During February School Vacation Week

Boston — As part of the agency’s commitment to providing safe and fun recreational opportunities for young people across the state, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced its lineup of February school vacation week programming. This year, the agency is offering families 79 free, engaging and educational programs at 20 state parks and watersheds ranging from guided hikes to animal tracking, craft making, and maple sugaring. Programs will run from Saturday, February 15, through Sunday, February 23, with the goal of inspiring kids to get outdoors and experience the beauty of the Massachusetts State Parks system.   

“School may be closed for the week, but we’re continuing the learning in outdoor classrooms. Our February school break programming is a great way for us to teach kids about the natural world around them and help inspire the next generation of environmental stewards,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We hope this slate of fun and educational programming brings some new and curious minds to our properties next week. Our team of park interpreters looks forward to meeting and welcoming students across the state.”

To celebrate school vacation week, DCR is waiving parking fees at parks offering programming. In addition to offering programming, DCR is extending public skating hours during the week at its agency-managed rinks from 10 a.m. until 2:50 p.m. daily. DCR will also continue to offer its regular programming, including self-guided hikes, and visitor centers will be open for people to enjoy exhibits. For details about staff-led programs and self-guided activities, visit DCR’s DCR's website. Additionally, DCR is offering adaptive programming during February vacation week.  

DCR encourages participants to tweet, post, and tag photos on social media using @MassDCR. DCR is promoting this year’s February break programming with engaging videos and fun graphics on its social media channels, including X (Twitter), Instagram and Threads. For a full list of all programming offered during school vacation week visit DCR’s website.

Highlights from next week’s February break programming include: 

BOSTON REGION

Dream Street StoryWalk® at Roxbury Heritage State Park, 183 Roxbury St., Boston  
Saturday, February 15 - Tuesday, February 25, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Visit Dream Street, where everyone is special, and children believe their dreams will come true! This magical story celebrates the Roxbury neighborhood where the author and her cousin, award-winning illustrator Ekua Holmes, grew up. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services. 

Ice Skating Party at Steriti Rink, 561 Commercial St., Boston

Friday, February 21, 12 – 4 p.m. 
 

Join DCR and Boston Harbor Now as part of the Highland Street Foundation’s Winter Camp for a day of ice skating at the Steriti Memorial Skating Rink in Boston’s North End neighborhood. Choose from sessions lasting 45 minutes each, starting at 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Rental skates will be provided for free! Skate and dance along with music by DJ WhySham, enjoy Regina Pizzeria, Munchkin Donut Holes, and drinks when not on the rink. Don't forget to bring a water bottle! 

Pre-registration is *highly* encouraged for groups of 10 or more or if you have a time constraint, but there will be capacity for walk-ups during all skating sessions. Ice Skating Party at Steriti Memorial Rink! at Highland Street Winter Camp Tickets, Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite 

NORTH REGION

New England Ice Harvesting at Walden Pond State Reservation, 915 Walden St., Concord

Sunday, February 23, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.   
 

Join historian and expert ice harvester Dennis Picard as he discusses the history of ice harvesting at Walden Pond and shows off the antique tools of the trade, including those used during Thoreau's stay. Co-sponsored by Friends of Walden Pond. Great for all ages! Dress for the weather and wear sturdy hiking boots. Meet at the Thoreau House Replica. For more information, please contact (978) 405-2082.   

February School Vacation = “Stay”cation! at Halibut Point State Park, 4 Gott Ave., Rockport 

Saturday, February 15 through Sunday, February 23, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.    

A “Quarry Quest—Treasure Hunt!” Participants follow clues and then unscramble to find a treasure box. Families will explore trails while learning about the history of Babson Farm Granite Quarry. All ages. Meet at the Visitor Center. No dogs allowed. For more information, please contact (978) 546-2997.   

SOUTH REGION                       

Camouflaging with Mud at Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 131 Waquoit Highway, East Falmouth

Thursday, February 20 

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.: ages Preschool/K 

1 – 2 p.m.: ages 6 and up 

Blending in with the sand and mud helps our estuary creatures avoid getting eaten. We will play a camouflage game, meet a spider crab (an expert in camouflage), and paint with mud. Dress for the weather. Meet at the Visitor Center. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact (508) 457-0495.   

Mask Maker, Mask Maker, Make Me a Mask! at Fall River Heritage State Park, 100 Davol St., Fall River

Saturday, February 15 and February 22, 12 – 3 p.m.   

Get ready to celebrate Mardi Gras/Carnival or just fight the winter blues and make your very own colorful mask. We’ll be making two styles of masks. On February 15, create your own African culture-inspired masks. On February 22, we will make Native American-inspired masks with the Pocasset Wampanoags. All materials will be provided. Meet in the Visitor Center. Drop in anytime from 12 to 3 p.m. Great for all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult.   

WEST REGION 

Live Birds of Prey at Holyoke Range State Park, 1500 West St., Amherst 

Saturday, February 15, 1 – 3 p.m.     

Get a close-up look at owls, hawks, and other birds of prey with Tom Ricardi, licensed rehabilitator and wildlife biologist. Learn about the work of the Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center, which cares for these injured birds. Ages 7 and up. Meet at Notch Visitor Center. No dogs allowed. For more information, please contact 413-253-2883.   

Winter Wonderland Activity Day at Mount Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Rd., Lanesborough   
Sunday, February 16, 1 – 3 p.m.      

This program is for children and families of all ages and is a fun-packed day of winter activities, including crafts, scavenger hunts, board games, and sledding, weather permitting. This is designed as a self-guided program, but staff will be assisting with several of the program’s activities. Children can bring their own sled if they’d like. Participants will meet at the visitor center; dogs are not allowed in the visitor center. For more information, please contact (413) 499-4262.  

CENTRAL REGION  

Maple Sugaring Weekend, Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, 287 Oak St., Uxbridge  
February 22 and 23, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.  

It’s that sweet time of year again! Join us for our annual Maple Sugaring Weekend. Guided tours will run for 60 to 90 minutes and will begin at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Park staff and volunteers will take visitors through the art and science of producing maple syrup, including identifying maple trees, tapping trees, gathering sap, and watching syrup being made at the sugar house. Children’s activities include a craft and a Junior Ranger activity. Preregistration is recommended. Otherwise, it’s first come, first serve. Appropriate for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.  

Preregistration recommended:https://www.eventbrite.com/o/massachusetts-dept-of-conservation-and-recreation-104507862751  

Cabin Fever Ranger Hike at Wachusett Reservoir, Gate 8 Sawyer's Bluff at the intersection of Cross St. and Rte. 70, Boylston  

Saturday, February 15, 10 – 11:30 a.m.  

Get outside and join Watershed Rangers in exploring the winter woods to find signs of the wildlife in the watershed. The terrain on this family-friendly hike will range from easy to moderate, with some hills that provide rewarding views of the Wachusett Reservoir shoreline. The hike is 2.5 miles round trip. All ages welcome. Dogs are not allowed. We recommend dressing for the weather and bringing water and trekking poles, traction devices, or snowshoes depending on trail conditions, and your sense of adventure! For more information or to check status of hike, please reach out to Kathryn Parent at kathryn.parent@mass.gov, or call 617- 352-4044.    

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