Department of Conservation and Recreation

Parks are beautiful but the parking authorities are unfriendly and unnecessary.
I recieved a parking ticket near Paul Revere park even though I was standing near my car with my dog. I recieved no warning or even an alert from the parking attendant. Even better, the DCR out-​sources their parking to
which takes 14% of the tickets cost.
The parks are for all of us tax paying citizens! There is no need for this type of enforcement.

My only experience with the DCR is as a trail runner /​cyclist /​dog-​owner (eg I can’t speak to all their programs). I do, however, log hundreds of trail miles per year and make it a habit of exploring as many local, state, and federal parks as possible across Massachusetts and southern New England, so I’m pretty comfortable with their trail network and competitors.
Overall, I think the DCR does an amazing job with land management. They’re able to maintain clean, healthy trails across a diverse user base. I’ve experienced little-​to-​no animosity across sports (eg anti-​mountain biker sentiment, frustration toward dog owners, etc) which is something I certainly cannot say about areas like Lincoln, MA trail networks which seem unfriendly to anyone/​anything different.
DCR is one of two government branches (Federal Dept of Interior the other) where I’ve made unnecessary pass purchases and/​or simply donated. Both do a great job and the outdoor resources are greatly underfunded and under appreciated.
My favorite 5 state parks;
Wachusett — must for road cyclists
Callahan — trail runners and dog owners rejoice
Great Brook — awesome year round for families
Walden — crowded, but get your learn on
Graylock — I wish I lived closer. The road, the camping… The Thunderbolt. :)
*If you like the DCR and outdoors, also check out the Appalacian Mountain Club (AMC) in Boston. Another top-​notch outdoor/​conservation org worth visiting.

In a time of extreme budget cuts I am EXTREMELY grateful to know there are still FREE services being provided by the State of Massachusetts for its residents and visitors!
I’m a HUGE fan of the hike «A Sense of Place» that is scheduled every Monday at Mt. Greylock in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. This 2 hour hike sometimes led by Eric (a ranger/​interpreter local to the area) offers up a LOT of knowledge and reflection on the landscape at the top of the highest peak in Massachusetts. It may seem like a fairly NICHE experience however included in this hike is an opportunity to reflect on the opportunities we have to connect with NATURE on a daily basis.
For this city dweller it was a WELCOME experience.
There are programs all over the state this summer and for that matter ALL YEAR ROUND that our tax dollars fund… take advantage… it’s there FOR YOU!