- Department of Conservation & Recreation
Media Contact
Ilyse Wolberg, DCR Deputy Communications Director
BOSTON — As part of its ongoing effort to provide safe and inclusive programming, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is celebrating Pride Month with free guided Pride Hikes geared toward LGBTQ+ communities across the state, their families and allies at seven agency properties. DCR staff will lead Pride Hikes throughout June in partnership with local, regional LGBTQ+ organizations, including PFLAG Cape Cod, the Stonewall Center at UMass Amherst, Queer Men of the Berkshires (Q-MoB), Out Metrowest and Hingham Pride Project.
DCR is working to continue hosting Pride Hikes at agency parks across the state beyond June and aims to restart the series within the next several months. For more information on Pride Hikes or other DCR programs visit the DCR Programs and Events webpage.
“At DCR, we are focused year-round on ensuring that all of our residents and visitors have access to and feel welcome and safe in our parks and on our trails – spaces that are essential for our overall well-being,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “These Pride Hikes are opportunities for our LBGTQ+ friends and their loved ones to safely and peacefully come together and explore the beauty of our state parks. We are grateful to our partner organizations for joining us in this effort and hope that these hikes inspire some new DCR park enthusiasts.”
“Pride hikes provide a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals to connect with nature and build community,” said Michelle Weiser, President of the Hingham Pride Project. “They promote mental and physical well-being while celebrating diversity in outdoor recreation. Hingham Pride is grateful for DCR celebrating Pride month by providing these wonderful and safe opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community.”
“PFLAG Cape Cod looks forward to participating in this year's Pride Hike at Quashnet River on Juneteenth in East Falmouth and encourages our members and supporters to join us in a healthy, educational experience with LGBTQ+ people and those who love them!” said Joe Lima, President of PFLAG-Cape Cod.
“The members of the Massachusetts LGBTQ community has always been major supporters of our outdoor spaces, and the Pride Hikes are a crucial way to celebrate that support and bring the next generation of LGBTQ people out into our parks,” said Bart Church, Q-MoB Executive Director and the leader of regular LGBTQ hiking, biking, & paddling activities in the Berkshires. We are grateful to DCR for providing these safe opportunities that promote wellness and community for queer men in the greater Berkshire region and their loved ones and allies.”
DCR welcomes Pride Hike participants to dress in pride colors and encourages them to wear sturdy shoes and bring bug spray, sunscreen and water. Participants are encouraged to show their pride on social media and by tagging @MassDCR.
DCR is hosting Pride Hikes at the following properties:
NORTH REGION
Middlesex Fells, 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham
Sunday, June 29
Join the Friends of the Fells and DCR for “Pride Hike: Queer and Trans Hiking Fell-ows.” Get outdoors and make some new friends on this moderate hike that includes rocky footing and elevation changes with the potential for muddy trails. Leashed dogs are welcome to join. Please note there are no restrooms at this site. Space is limited. Please register online at Friends of the Fells webpage. Registered participants will be emailed the meeting location for the hike. Steady rain or lightning will cancel the hike. Email qt-hiking-fellos@fells.org with any questions.
SOUTH REGION
Wompatuck State Park, 204 Union St., Hingham
Saturday, June 14 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join the Southeast MA Adult Walking Club Pride Hike and Hingham Pride Project for a 1.75-mile walk with minimal elevation change along Triphammer Pond, a peaceful and quiet corner of the park. Meet at the Visitor Center. Contact (857) 276-5365 for more information. This hike is being held in partnership with Hingham Pride Project.
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 131 Waquoit, East Falmouth
Thursday, June 19, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Pride Hike: Quashnet River on Juneteenth
Come celebrate Pride and the recovery of one of the most fabulous and colorful fish in Massachusetts with a hike along the Quashnet River. The hike will be a 2.2-mile loop beginning on the east side of the river and ending on the west side at the parking lot. There are some moderate hills on the east side, and there may be some large puddles on the west side. The hike will focus on the wildlife that inhabits this example of a river restored from cranberry bogs and the story of a fish, though gone, and how it became the second most numerous fish in the river today. There are no restrooms. Leashed dogs are welcome. Meet at the parking lot on Martin Road. The hike is being held in partnership with PFLAG Cape Cod.
CENTRAL
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, 287 Oak St., Uxbridge
Friday, June 27, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Exploring the Blackstone River Valley: Pride Hike
Celebrate Pride month by getting outdoors and on the trail overlooking the local landscape. Meet at the Rice City Pond parking area (bit.ly/ricecitypond). This 2.5-mile hike will trek over a rugged forest surface with moderate inclines. Registration is not required. Bathrooms are not available at this site. Meet at the Rice City Pond parking area. Programming is subject to change. For the most up to date programming information, call (508) 278-7604 or visit us at bit.ly/blstupdates.
Wachusett Reservoir, Gate 39, located at the corner of Route 110 and South Meadow Road, Clinton
Saturday, June 14, 7:30 pm-9:15 pm
Pride Sunset Walk Wachusett Reservoir
Celebrate Pride month and enjoy a summer evening on this walk with stunning views overlooking the Wachusett Reservoir. The walk will start before sunset to provide an opportunity to view the changing, colorful sky over the water. Glowsticks will be provided to light up the path after the sun goes down. This 2-mile round trip hike is on flat natural surface paths with an optional hill to the base of Wachusett Dam. Inclement weather will cancel. Dogs are not allowed. Meet at Gate 39, located at the corner of Route 110 and South Meadow Road in Clinton.
These hikes are being hosted in partnership with OUT MetroWest.
WEST
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Saturday, June 15, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Dust off your bike for this easy eco-ride on the rail trail past beautiful wetlands, lakes, and forests. The hike will be co-led by Naturalists from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission & Q-MoB. If you need a quick tune-up of your bike, please come early. For those who don’t own bikes, Q-MoB can rent you a bike. Meet at Berkshire Outfitters at 169 Grove St., in Adams. Register for free
Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls
Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Pride Hike: Canalside Stonewall Stroll
Celebrate Pride and 56 years since Stonewall by hiking along the Canalside Rail Trail! Be in community with nature and each other as we walk and talk beside a historic canal. Meet outside the main entrance. This is a 2.6-mile round-trip hike on a flat, paved trail. For ages 10 and up. Registration is not required. Contact (413) 863-3221 for more information. The hike is being held in partnership with the Stonewall Center of UMass Amherst and Q-MoB.
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Media Contact
Department of Conservation & Recreation
The health and happiness of people across Massachusetts depends on the accessibility and quality of our natural resources, recreational facilities, and great historic landscapes. DCR continues to improve the vital connection between people and the environment.