By Sam Lambert
Have you heard? Outings are back at the MA Sierra Club! As a new(ish) staff member, I was excited to have the opportunity to join fellow staff and volunteers in the Outdoor Leader training process and even more thrilled to get started with my provisional hike: CityHike East Boston: Belle Isle Marsh to Wood Island!
As I prepped for the hike that would lead to my certification, my anxiety was centered around the one thing I could least control, the weather. As we all know, this year has not been kind to weekend planning. The morning of September 30th arrived and we were graced with seasonal temperatures and an overcast but dry day. Participants gathered at the Belle Isle Marsh Reservation on Bennington Street in East Boston and we set off to explore approximately 3 miles of East Boston with a rich social and environmental history. We were fortunate to be joined by local advocates from The Friends of Belle Isle Marsh who provided not just context on the historic fight for community, but the importance of protecting these spaces for future generations.
Belle Isle Marsh is the largest remaining salt marsh in the greater Boston region and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The marsh is a critical habitat for both breeding and migratory bird populations. It is an essential piece of a broader wildlife corridor, with more than 250 species of birds, several of which are threatened or endangered. As Massachusetts faces increased threats of climate change, Belle Isle Marsh will become essential in its service as a buffer to storms as well as a natural carbon sink. In addition to the animal and insect populations, this reservation has become a respite and sanctuary for residents throughout the Boston area. Many are often surprised to find a natural treasure tucked away off a busy city road and we were thrilled to introduce this space to more of our friends through this outing.
Our group continued along Bennington Street to Constitution Beach. This unique man-made beach sits across from the runways of Boston’s Logan International Airport and serves the community as a space to enjoy the waters of the Atlantic. Just behind the DCR bath house is the entrance to the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway. We were fortunate to hear more about Mary Ellen Welch, an inspiring activist and advocate for the East Boston community, from our friend Karyl Stoia, who worked alongside her in many of the campaigns that shaped the East Boston community.
We walked along the greenway to Wood Island Park, where our MA Sierra Club Transportation Director Veena Dharmaraj gave an overview of the area that was the site of the “jewel of the emerald necklace”, Frederick Law Olmsted designed Wood Island Park. This park was nearly 50 acres of beautifully designed public space that was razed alongside the homes on the tree-lined Neptune Road for expansion of the airport. We learned about the Maverick Mothers who protested, putting their bodies and baby carriages in the line of construction vehicles, to protect the community they love. A recent independent film documentary featuring footage of the protests and the last recorded words of Mary Ellen Welch by Naomi Yang is now available, “Never Be a Punching Bag for Nobody”. The under-utilized Massport land that was once the pride of East Boston was striking as we continued on to Wood Island T station to conclude our morning outing..
This outing was a tribute to those that fought to preserve a community and an ode to those that continue the work to create a sustainable legacy for future generations. These treasured places and spaces were the result of years of advocacy and work. The work continues and we invite you to explore these special places that will be sure to inspire. This outing was one-third of the entire CityHike East Boston Trail which you can explore on your own or join us at our next guided Chapter Day to explore Wood Island to Maverick on October 8th at 1 PM.
Special thank you to Karyl, Joe, Daniela and Erica of The Friends of Belle Isle Marsh for your generous gift of time and knowledge on our outing. We invite you to join the Friends for their Harvest Festival celebrating the 40th Anniversary of The Friends of Belle Isle Marsh on Bennington St. in East Boston on October 14th from 1 - 3 PM. Thank you also to MA Sierra Club Executive Committee member Kannan Thiruvengadam for lending his voice and expertise throughout the CityHike. You can learn more about Kannan’s Eastie Farm on the self-guided hike! Outings are an important way to bring people together and demonstrate the impacts of our campaigns to protect our planet. Bookmark our Events Calendar and check back often for upcoming opportunities to get outside. We hope to see you on a future outing!