In celebration of Bird Day on May 4th, we share this photo of young Great Horned Owls in Blackstone by Paul S. Robinson Photography. We also invite you on a guided bird walk on Tuesday, May 3rd, at Blackstone Gateway Park in Worcester. Find details below.
|
|
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor |
|
John H. Chafee Heritage Award Recipients Named for 2021 |
|
|
|
John H. Chafee Heritage Awards |
Congratulations to the 2021 Recipients:
- Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02)
- U.S. Senator Jack Reed (RI)
- John Marsland, Cumberland, RI
- Student Award: Painting & Design Technology Students at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (17 sophomores)
|
|
May is National Preservation Month |
|
With many historic cemeteries throughout the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor that have fallen into disrepair and experienced neglect, there are many volunteers who have the skills and passion to preserve and protect them. |
|
In addition, Cemetery Conservation Ambassadors in Sutton, MA, have an ongoing restoration project at Sutton Center Cemetery that you can get involved with! If you are interested in learning more about this cemetery conservation project and how you can contribute, contact Molly Cardoza, BHC's Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement, at mcardoza@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
|
|
Become a Bikeway Ambassador! |
|
Blackstone Heritage Corridor Volunteer Linda Primel (in orange vest) volunteered recently at the Accessible Cycling for Veterans event at the Blackstone River Greenway. If you'd like to volunteer, visit https://bit.ly/VeteransVIP2022.
|
|
|
|
Accessible Cycling for Veterans |
The Blackstone Heritage Corridor Bikeway Ambassadors will be supporting All Out Adventures this season with its free accessible cycling events for Veterans and their loved ones along the Blackstone River Bikeway/Greenway in MA and RI. This program is made possible by a federal Veterans Adaptive Sports Grant received by AOA. Click on the flyer for details.
|
|
Birding at Blackstone Gateway Park
Tuesday, May 3
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Meet at Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center, 3 Paul Clancy Way, Worcester, MA
|
Join us as we are among the first of the season to see what bird species are making their home here along the Middle River, at the northern edge of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The River Walk includes observation platforms projecting over the water that give a bird's-eye view of this wetland habitat. We welcome new birders and those interested in sharing their bird knowledge on this volunteer-led walk. Grab your binoculars and join us for this exciting walk to experience nature here, right in the city of Worcester.
Binoculars are suggested, but a few extra pairs are available. Walks are generally about a mile and suitable for adults and children ages 10 and up with a parent.
This event is being presented as part of Jane Week - Jane Jacobs in the Woo. For more information, visit PreservationWorcester.org.
|
|
Blackstone Valley Paddle Club Announces Its 22nd Season! |
|
Get Your Canoe or Kayak and Join the Fun! |
The Blackstone Valley Paddle Club proudly celebrates its 22nd season! This all-volunteer program will lead guided paddles throughout the Blackstone River Valley on Tuesday evenings from May 17 through August 30. See the schedule and details below!
Participants must bring their own canoe or kayak and life jacket.
|
|
2022 Paddle Schedule:
All paddles are on Tuesdays. Meet at 6 p.m. for a 6:15 p.m. launch.
May 17: Quinsigamond River, Grafton, MA
May 24: West River, Upton, MA
May 31: Nipmuc River, Harrisville, RI
June 7: Lackey Dam, Sutton, MA
June 14: West River, Uxbridge, MA
June 21: Blackstone River & Valley Falls Marsh, Lincoln, RI
June 28: Blackstone River & Rice City Pond - Uxbridge, MA
July 5: Bowdish Lake, Glocester, RI
July 12: Providence River - Bold Point, E. Providence, RI
July 19: Slatersville Reservoir & Branch River, North Smithfield, RI
July 26: Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln, RI
August 2: Manville Dam, Cumberland, RI
August 9: Blackstone Gorge, Blackstone, MA
August 16: Hopedale Pond, Hopedale, MA
August 23: Stump Pond, Smithfield, RI*
August 30: Spring Lake, Burrillville, RI*
*Note: for August 23 and August 30, meet at 5:45 p.m. for a 6 p.m. launch due to earlier sunsets.
To participate in the Blackstone Paddler's events, a RI Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA) membership fee of $15.00 is required, as is a $10.00 membership fee for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. These fees provide a family membership and are good for the entire season. If you are a current RICKA member, you may join for the additional $10.00 membership fee. If you are not yet a RICKA member, you may join and pay your dues for both RICKA and Blackstone Valley Paddle Club by going to the membership page for payment options. Please note: the Paddle Club will not be taking payment for dues at the paddle locations. Please pay your dues in advance.
|
|
Let's Hit the Hiking Trails! |
|
|
|
Who is ready for some group hikes?
We are actively planning guided hikes throughout the Blackstone River Valley this year.
We hope you'll join us!
|
|
Save the dates for hikes with BHC Trail Ambassador Ernie Germani!
Friday, November 25: Wolf Hill, Smithfield, RI
Watch for hikes in the Massachusetts Corridor communities coming soon!
|
|
Second Saturday Hikes With the North Smithfield Heritage Association |
Join the North Smithfield Heritage Association for its History and Nature Walks series on the second Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m.
|
|
Support Us and the Environment |
|
Reuse. Recycle. Give Back. |
When you buy a reusable Community Bag at the Uxbridge Hannaford location during the month of May for $2.50, Hannaford will donate $1 to the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor!
|
|
|
Conserve Water and Save Money with a Rain Barrel |
|
|
|
Help protect our waterways!
Order a rain barrel today!
|
The City of Worcester will be distributing 60-gallon rain barrels with prices starting at $74 each.
Pick up date is Thursday, June 23, at the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center
3 Paul Clancy Way
Worcester, MA
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This offer is open to all. There is no residency restriction.
|
|
BRWA Annual Meeting and Screening of "Pakachoag: Where the River Bends" |
|
Annual Meeting and Screening of "Pakachoag: Where the River Bends"
Wednesday, May 18
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Grafton Public Library
35 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA
Save the date of Saturday, June 4 for Family Fun Fishing Day at River Bend Farm!
|
|
BRWC/FOB Hosts "Connecting with Canoes" |
|
Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.: May 21, June 18, July 16, July 20, September 17, and October 15.
Meet at the Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone's Sycamore Landing, 100 New River Road, Lincoln, RI.
Fee is $30 per person. BRWC/FOB will provide life jackets, paddles, boats, and a guide. Please wear good water shoes and bring something to drink. Check for rain dates. To reserve your spot, call 401-644-3215.
|
|
News from Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
|
New Faces at Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park! |
There are new Park Rangers coming on board!
Julieanne Fontana joins the staff with park ranger experience at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego and Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in New Jersey, amongst other parks. After traveling around the country and learning about everything from tidepools to active volcanoes, Julieanne is happy to be back on the East Coast. She holds a BA in history and environmental studies from Williams College and a MA in Public Humanities from Brown University.
Watch for more announcements soon!
|
|
Old Slater Mill Reopens for Tours:
Spring Schedule:
Fridays: May 6, May 13
Saturdays: May 7, May 14
10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Summer Schedule:
(May 19 - September 11, 2022)
Thursday - Sunday
10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM.
Join a Park Ranger on a tour of the mill that started the American Industrial Revolution. These 30-minute guided tours investigate the historical significance of Slater Mill and what valuable lessons the building is still teachings us. For more info, visit nps.gov/blrv.
|
|
Meet up for a B.A.R.K. Ranger Talk and Walk! |
Saturday, May 7
1:00 p.m.
Kelly House Barn at Blackstone River State Park
1075 Lower River Road, Lincoln, RI
Join a Park Ranger at Blackstone River State Park for a B.A.R.K. Ranger event. Celebrate National Fitness Day and learn about this fun program!
Well-behaved pups and their human companions are welcome to meet at the Kelly House Barn in the park at 1:00 PM. After learning the B.A.R.K. Ranger principles, dogs will earn a special B.A.R.K. Ranger badge.
Note: you can also become a B.A.R.K. Ranger at Slater Mill! Talk with a ranger during operating hours to learn more.
|
|
Saturday, May 21
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Be part of the inaugural First Strike Festival at Slater Mill!
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park will cohost The First Strike Festival with The Haus of Glitter on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Come for a day full of live dance, song, and storytelling from 11am – 5pm. The entire event is free and family-friendly. The First Strike Festival is centered around a celebration of spring weather, honoring the struggle for labor rights, acknowledging the complexity of American history, and welcoming rest and peace.
Performances by:
11am - Mystic Garland Dancers
12pm - Capeverdean American Community Development of R.I.
1pm - Mark Cutler
2pm - Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS)
3pm - Eastern Medicine Singers
4pm - Jay Brunelle
|
|
Volunteer Opportunities:
Park Ambassadors Needed at
Old Slater Mill and
Roger Williams National Memorial
|
|
Self-Guided Tours on the NPS Mobile App |
Do you plan on visiting Slater Mill or Slatersville? If so, check out Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park's new self-guided tours.
These audio tours are available on the NPS Mobile App. The Mobile App can be downloaded for Apple or Google phones. Once on the app, choose Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, then select self-guided tours.
More self-guided tours will soon be available for the Blackstone River State Park and Ashton, Whitinsville, and Hopedale.
|
|
Do you enjoy learning about the history of the Blackstone River Valley? Subscribe to the park's YouTube page to see recordings of past programs, episodes of Along the Blackstone, and more.
Parked at Home Videos
Check out the Parked at Home playlist to learn more about the six nodes that make up Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park--and their connections to other National Park Service sites.
The Parked at Home playlist features talks on Community, Construction, Family, Equality, Space, and Cotton. Presented in partnership with Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Special thanks to all of the additional co-hosts: Pullman National Monument, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument, Wright Brothers National Memorial, Canaveral National Seashore, and Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve / Fort Caroline National Memorial.
|
|
Join Us for Blackstone Valley Day at Polar Park- Tuesday, June 14 |
|
Join the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor for "Blackstone Valley Day" at Polar Park!
Tickets are $25 and include a $10 loaded value
for concessions, beverages, and the team fan shop too!.
|
|
"Explore, Discover, Protect, and GO!"
The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country, each taking an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family. Here in the Blackstone River Valley, Junior Rangers are called GearHeads. What's a GearHead, you might ask?
GearHead (n.): a kid, powered by the gears in their brain, who explores nature, discovers history, protects the environment, and goes on adventures throughout the Blackstone River Valley.
Click through the GearHeads website and claim your Junior Ranger status today! Submit a completed activity, and we'll send you a Junior Ranger badge!
|
|
Calling All Scouts - Earn a Scout Ranger Certificate or Badge! |
|
 |
Click here to learn about the Boy Scout Ranger program. |
|
|
|
Click here to learn about the Girl Scout Ranger program. |
|
|
|
Be a Scout Ranger in the Blackstone River Valley!
Scouts and Park Rangers have a lot in common! We are all inspired to act as good stewards of public lands and to learn more about our communities.
Participants in the Scout Ranger program can earn a certificate or a patch.
As a Scout Ranger you will:
- Learn about the mission of the National Park Service.
- Help protect the nation’s natural, cultural, and historic resources.
- Explore and learn about your national parks.
- Achieve unique recognition from the National Park Service.
|
|
Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
With Our Interactive Map!
|
|
670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-4242
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
