Upcoming Wachusett Greenways Events
Come and enjoy what Wachusett Greenways has to offer. Events are free and open to all.
To suggest an event — better yet, to lead one — please contact Christy at bertinbarnes@verizon.net.
Other Upcoming Events – from our Partners & Friends
Past Events
Trail Clearing – Mass Central Rail Trail in West Boylston
Location: West Boylston Rail Trail
Date: 06/26/2022 Time: 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Join Wachusett Greenways to help clear the Mass Central Rail Trail Saturday, June 25, 8 to 11 a.m. Meet inside the green gate at the trailhead on Thomas Street in West Boylston. We will focus on the 1.3 miles of the trail in West Boylston, especially the entry areas overgrown with vegetation. We will rake leaves, remove weeds and prune brush. Equipment provided by Wachusett Greenways. Recommended clothing, long sleeve, pants and hat for tick and poison ivy protection.
Sign up here or contact Colleen Abrams with questions 508-479-2123.
Join Us for a Review of 2019 at Our Virtual Annual Meeting
Location: Zoom
Date: 12/22/2020 Time: 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday, Dec. 22
On Tuesday, December 22, from 5:30 to 6 PM, we’ll hold the Wachusett Greenways Annual Meeting by Zoom. Please register here. This anticipated annual meeting reviewing 2019 and celebrating our 25th anniversary was postponed from May. Our December 22 meeting will bring you greetings from the WG Directors and the election of board members and officers.
CANCELED: Nature Almanac Club
Location: Meet at Stillwater Farm, 228 Redemption Rock Rd., Sterling
Date: 03/28/2020 Time: All Day
CANCELLED – Stay tuned for future DCR Events. Observe seasonal changes, record memorable events, and experience a connection with nature. The Club meets monthly. Recycled supplies provided to make a nature journal/almanac. Vernal pools will be the topic for March. All ages welcome.
Sponsored by our friends at the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Free and open to the public; children must be accompanied by an adult. Reasonable accommodations are available upon advanced request. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Dogs and domestic animals are not permitted on watershed lands; service dogs are welcome. For additional information, please contact the DCR education staff at Kathryn.Parent@Mass.gov or 774-261-1809.
CANCELED: Greenhalge Point Hike, Wachusett Reservoir
Location: Wachusett Reservoir, Gate 35, intersection of Rt. 110 and Chace Hill Rd., Sterling
Date: 03/28/2020 Time: All Day
CANCELLED – Stay tuned for future DCR Events. Join DCR Watershed Education Staff and member of the Sterling Open Space Implementation Committee on a walk along wide forest roads and narrow footpaths to rewarding shoreline views of the Wachusett Reservoir. About 4 miles round-trip. Please wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and be prepared for windy conditions along the shoreline.
Sponsored by our friends at the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Free and open to the public; children must be accompanied by an adult. Reasonable accommodations are available upon advanced request. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Dogs and domestic animals are not permitted on watershed lands; service dogs are welcome. For additional information, please contact the DCR education staff at Kathryn.Parent@Mass.gov or 774-261-1809.
CANCELED: Empty Nest Birding Walk
Location:
Date: 03/27/2020 Time: All Day
CANCELLED – Stay tuned for future DCR Events. Get an introduction to spring birding and take an easy stroll through the forest to spot last year’s empty nests. Look for clues in size, shape, habitat and nesting materials to identify which nesting birds come to the area as we await their spring arrival.
Sponsored by our friends at the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Free and open to the public; children must be accompanied by an adult. Reasonable accommodations are available upon advanced request. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Dogs and domestic animals are not permitted on watershed lands; service dogs are welcome. For additional information, please contact the DCR education staff at Kathryn.Parent@Mass.gov or 774-261-1809.
CANCELED: Early Spring Trail Clearing on the Mass Central Rail Trail
Location: Contact Colleen Abrams at 508-479-2123 or colleen.abrams@verizon.net
Date: 03/21/2020 Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Wachusett Greenways events for the spring are cancelled. Please enjoy time outdoors with your household members.
During this time the portable restrooms are removed from the Mass Central Rail Trail to protect from spreading the virus. Please greet others on the trail with a smile or wave as you pass at a good distance. Do not pass closely or draw near to people or pets on the trail.
We hope you will remain well and be at peace. Let’s encourage friends and family with contact by phone, e-mail, texts, social media. When the virus has passed, we look forward to gathering with you again for outdoor events.
CANCELED: Gates Cove Hike, Wachusett Reservoir
Location: Meet at Wachusett Reservoir, Gate 25, Rt. 140, West Boylston, GPS address start of Goodale St., West Boylston (at bridge and powerlines)
Date: 03/21/2020 Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
This moderate 3.5-mile hike will explore the trails leading to interesting views around coves that provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. Moderate hike on a mixture of wide forest roads and narrow paths with some steep slopes.
Sponsored by our friends at the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Free and open to the public; children must be accompanied by an adult. Reasonable accommodations are available upon advanced request. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Dogs and domestic animals are not permitted on watershed lands; service dogs are welcome. For additional information, please contact the DCR education staff at Kathryn.Parent@Mass.gov or 774-261-1809.
Wachusett Greenways events for the spring are canceled
Location:
Date: 03/20/2020 - 06/30/2020 Time: All Day
Wachusett Greenways events for the spring are canceled. Please enjoy time outdoors with your household members.
During this time the portable restrooms are removed from the Mass Central Rail Trail to protect from spreading the virus. Please greet others on the trail with a smile or wave as you pass at a good distance. Do not pass closely or draw near to people or pets on the trail.
We hope you will remain well and be at peace. Let’s encourage friends and family with contact by phone, e-mail, texts, Instagram. When the virus has passed we look forward to gathering with you again for outdoor events.
CANCELED: Walk Along the Stillwater Basin Trail in Sterling
Location: Contact Jeff at jkeay23@gmail.com or 508-353-1174
Date: 03/18/2020 Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Wachusett Greenways events for the spring are cancelled. Please enjoy time outdoors with your household members.
During this time the portable restrooms are removed from the Mass Central Rail Trail to protect from spreading the virus. Please greet others on the trail with a smile or wave as you pass at a good distance. Do not pass closely or draw near to people or pets on the trail.
We hope you will remain well and be at peace. Let’s encourage friends and family with contact by phone, e-mail, texts, social media. When the virus has passed, we look forward to gathering with you again for outdoor events.
CANCELED: Seeing Green Hike
Location: Meet at Stillwater Farm, 228 Redemption Rock Rd., Sterling
Date: 03/17/2020 Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Enjoy a short/moderate 1-mile hike to take in the early spring landscape and see the forest’s role in protecting water quality. We will be hiking a loop with some steep areas but taking frequent breaks to enjoy all the shades of early spring greens, if not four-leaf clovers and leprechauns!
Sponsored by our friends at the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Free and open to the public; children must be accompanied by an adult. Reasonable accommodations are available upon advanced request. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Dogs and domestic animals are not permitted on watershed lands; service dogs are welcome. For additional information, please contact the DCR education staff at Kathryn.Parent@Mass.gov or 774-261-1809.
CANCELED: DCR Ranger Program: Wildlife Tracks & Signs
Location: Meet at Stillwater Farm, 228 Redemption Rock Rd., Sterling
Date: 03/14/2020 Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
The watershed is made up of thousands of acres of forested lands, providing habitat for many species. Searching for animal tracks and other signs left by them can tell us a lot about their behaviors and activities. Come learn how to track an animal and interpret their behavior at this time of year. Be prepared to take a short walk outdoors for part of this program.
Sponsored by our friends at the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Free and open to the public; children must be accompanied by an adult. Reasonable accommodations are available upon advanced request. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Dogs and domestic animals are not permitted on watershed lands; service dogs are welcome. For additional information, please contact the DCR education staff at Kathryn.Parent@Mass.gov or 774-261-1809.
Legends and Lore Hike
Location: Meet at Wachusett Reservoir, Gate 39, Route 110 & South Meadow Road, Clinton
Date: 03/07/2020 Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Take a walk along the North Dike to the Clinton Dam and discuss the geology and history of Wachusett Reservoir along with legends and lore of the North Dike and Cemetery Island. Easy 3.5-mile round trip.
Sponsored by our friends at the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Free and open to the public; children must be accompanied by an adult. Reasonable accommodations are available upon advanced request. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Dogs and domestic animals are not permitted on watershed lands; service dogs are welcome. For additional information, please contact the DCR education staff at Kathryn.Parent@Mass.gov or 774-261-1809.
DCR February Hiking Series
Location: Gate 8, intersection of Cross St. and Rt. 70, Boylston
Date: 02/29/2020 Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Saturdays in February. Sponsored by our friends at the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation. Meet at Wachusett Reservoir Gate 8, intersection of Cross St. and Rt. 70, Boylston. Get to know the trails of Sawyer Bluff! We’ll explore different trails and shoreline areas of the Narrows. Easy-to-moderate hike of approximately 2 miles. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy hiking shoes. All ages welcome. For more information or to check status during inclement weather, please email Kathryn.Parent@mass.gov or call 774-261-1809.
Free and open to the public; children must be accompanied by an adult. Reasonable accommodations are available upon advanced request. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Dogs and domestic animals are prohibited on watershed lands. Service dogs are welcome.
Nature Almanac Club Harbingers of Spring
Location: Wachusett Reservoir Watershed, Stillwater Farm, 228 Redemption Rock Rd., Sterling
Date: 02/22/2020 Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
FEBRUARY VACATION WEEK PROGRAMMING, sponsored by our friends at the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Meets every 4th Saturday. The focus for February is Harbingers of Spring! All ages and levels of interest welcome to connect to nature through recording observations in your own nature journal. Supplies provided to start a nature journal, or bring your own to share ideas. For more information or to check status during inclement weather, please email Kathryn.Parent@mass.gov or call 774-261-1809.
Watershed Ranger Program: Cabin Fever Snowshoe Hike
Location: Wachusett Reservoir Gate 8, intersection of Cross Street and Route 70, Boylston.
Date: 02/22/2020 Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
FEBRUARY VACATION WEEK PROGRAMMING, sponsored by our friends at the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Watershed Rangers will lead the program to explore the wooded winter wonderland and discuss how the critters that call Wachusett their home survive the cold winter. The program will last about 90 minutes and the terrain will be easy to moderate. Bring your own snowshoes and dress accordingly for the weather. If there is little to no snow, it will be a foot hike instead so wear sturdy boots. For more information or to check status during inclement weather, please email Kathryn.Parent@mass.gov or call 774-261-1809.