Massachusetts State Reorganization Results

Department of Conservation and Recreation Created

Between citizen activists, environmental organizations, the state legislature and the Romney administration, we have finally created a new parks management agency:  the Department of Conservation and Recreation (known as the DCR).  The Division of Urban Parks and Recreation, part of the DCR, will manage the metropolitan parks system, which had formerly been under the management of the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC).  This includes all of the parks, playgrounds, reservations, rinks, pools, golf courses and parkways that together comprise one of the oldest park systems in the country.  Keeping the system together, while changing the way it is managed, was one of CRWA main goals, and we feel that the new structure accomplishes this (though we will be lobbying to keep the historic name, the Metropolitan Parks System!). 

Stewardship Council Formed

One of the most exciting aspects of the new structure is the creation of a Stewardship Council to work with and advise the DCR.  The Stewardship Council will be responsible for ensuring that management plans are developed for all of the state's park and recreational resources, for developing an oversight strategy for management, budget and policy, and for ensuring that the public has a voice in management of state parkland resources.  CRWA is working hard with our coalition partners to ensure that this new council is effective, and that it works closely with the DCR Commissioner and staff to live up to its mission and mandate.

Thanks again to the many CRWA members who made phone calls and sent faxes in response to our alerts as the legislative and administrative processes unfolded this spring and summer.