Celebrating Nature-Based Solutions with Milford
This past weekend, Rita Barron Fellow, Alfredo Con, represented Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) at the Milford Town Park Celebration, a community event marking the unveiling of recent renovations and new fitness and sports courts. The park was buzzing with families enjoying food trucks, local art, music, and sunshine — a perfect setting to discuss the role CRWA plays in stormwater infrastructure and a healthy Charles River.
CRWA shared a table with Leigh Meunier from CREW (Communities Responding to Extreme Weather) and Joseanne Lopes from Rosetta Languages, who provided Portuguese interpretation. The collaborative setup helped engage a diverse crowd of Milford residents. The volunteers and organizers from the Milford Cultural Council set up our table near one of the park’s rain gardens–the ideal location for our outreach.
The table featured a poster on flooding in the Charles River Watershed and CRWA’s work to address this challenge through nature-based solutions, such as green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). GSI mimics the natural water cycle, promoting infiltration and filtration of runoff, reducing flood risk, and improving water quality. Being able to point directly at the adjacent rain gardens as a real-world example made the topic more accessible and tangible for all residents.
Community members took flyers (available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese) with information on Milford’s GSI features, including a new subsurface infiltration system at Fino Field. Several residents mentioned they had noticed construction at the site and were curious about the project. Many were excited to learn it was part of a broader effort to make their community more resilient to flooding and climate change.
The giveaway of free emergency blankets, provided by CREW, helped draw people to our table. These small but meaningful interactions often led to deeper conversations. Visitors asked about CRWA and told about their personal connections to the Charles River. Many shared memories of paddling, fishing, or hiking along the river. A number expressed a desire to swim in the Charles but were uncertain about water quality, providing a perfect opportunity to discuss CRWA’s efforts to monitor and improve river health.
Some residents were surprised to learn that the Charles River runs through Milford at all. One former Town Meeting member even shared her experience working on efforts to rehabilitate Godfrey Brook nearly 20 years ago. She was happy to learn how CRWA is continuing to support flood mitigation and water quality improvements in Milford.
Flooding was a major concern among residents. Several shared personal stories of basement flooding and high water tables, especially during big storms or rapid snowmelt. These conversations underscored the importance of our work and showed just how deeply these issues affect people on a day-to-day basis.
We also had some delightful, unexpected connections, including a couple who had previously worked as Boston Duck Boat tour guides. They excitedly recognized CRWA’s name and said they had often mentioned our organization on their tours. Their enthusiasm showed just how far our organization’s impact reaches.
A particularly touching theme throughout the day was the number of parents with children living, working, or studying in the Boston area. Many of them shared that their kids had a strong connection to the Charles River from rowing and outdoor recreation to simply appreciating the river’s beauty during their commutes or walks. These parents expressed interest in learning more about CRWA’s work and often signed up for the newsletter, eager to find ways they could support the river’s health from Milford. These conversations emphasized how the Charles River serves as a bridge across communities and generations. Even when people move away, the river often remains a part of their lives and an entry point for families to reconnect with the watershed from wherever they live.
(From left to right: Joseanne, Leigh, Alfredo)
One of the most memorable interactions came from a school-aged girl who stopped by to grab a free emergency blanket and some CRWA stickers. She hadn’t known much about the Charles before, but after a quick “crash course” on the river and our work, she smiled and said what we were doing was “really important” and encouraged us to “keep up the good work.” Her enthusiasm reminded us of why we do what we do–to cultivate a new generation of environmental stewards who care deeply about their communities and ecosystems.
I’m incredibly grateful for the support of Joseanne, who confidently engaged with Portuguese-speaking residents, making our outreach more inclusive and effective. Leigh was equally supportive, stepping in to chat with residents and enriching conversations with her own insights.