The Trailside Museum and The Friends of Milton Crew were two Milton organizations awarded grants through the DCR’s Partnership Matching Funds Program.

The Trailside Museum has been awarded $175,000 and will use the funds to continue to provide environmental programs and materials for school groups, summer camp participants, and general park visitors at the Blue Hills Reservation. The Trailside, which is managed by The Mass Audobon Society, serves as the gateway to the Blue Hills Reservation. Thousands of Massachusetts residents pass through and enjoy this beautiful natural resource every year.

The Friends of Milton Crew were awarded $36,000 and will apply the funds to building out a dock at Neponset Park. The Friends are establishing a rowing program at Milton High with the goal of having boats in the water this spring. The park is along the bike path where it crosses Granite Avenue. John Rhee, President of Milton Crew, was thrilled with the award. “The Neponset is a tremendous resource and this grant will enable us to continue to make progress for rowing at Milton High and providing water access to the community at large.”

The DCR awarded $1 million to 32 Friends groups and other park advocacy groups, civic and community organizations, institutions, businesses, and individuals with an interest in improving the Commonwealth’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

In announcing the awards yesterday at the state house DCR Commissioner Edward Lambert characterized the partnerships as “vital” and stated that the DCR intends to “sustain and grow these partnerships for purpose of protecting, promoting, and enhancing Massachusetts natural resources.”