Climate Friendly Park
The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership is committed to moving Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area to the forefront of national parks through five strategies:
- Model what it means to work in partnership.
- Make Boston Harbor Islands a “carbon neutral” park by promoting renewable energy resources, both on-site and off, as well as by reducing fossil fuel use.
- Reduce solid waste generated by park operations and visitors through waste reduction, recycling, and environmentally sound materials management.
- Act in a way that is consistent with an ethic of environmental responsibility and sustainability.
- Inspire an ethic of environmental responsibility and sustainability in park visitors.
A Green Action Team is working on recommendations for implementing the above Climate Friendly Park action items, and presenting them on a regular basis to the Partnership for consideration. This dedicated group of volunteers, permanent and seasonal employees, interns, and youth program participants acts as the park’s “climate conscience.”
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and the National Park Service (NPS) welcome you to find out more about the effects of climate change on our national parks and learn what you can do to help reduce your carbon impact. Working together, we can protect our parks and our planet for future generations.
More
- Visit National Park Service for more on the Boston Harbor Islands Climate Friendly Parks Action Plan: nps.gov/climatefriendlyparks
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Visit National Parks Conservation Association for more about how to live a more climate friendly lifestyle: doyourpartparks.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim on the Boston Harbor Islands?
Yes, the only lifeguarded swimming beach within the Boston Harbor Islands national park area is at Spectacle Island. There is unsupervised swimming at Lovells Island (swim at your own risk). Swimming is prohibited near all island docks.
How is the water quality?
The Boston Harbor cleanup and creation of the Deer Island Sewage Treatmeny Plant have resulted in Boston Harbor going from one of the dirtiest urban harbors in the country to one of the cleanest. There is still the occasional summer day when the bacteria count may be too high. This is usually due to excessive rainfall, and the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation will close harbor beaches, including Spectacle Island. Water temperaure in mid summer is in the high 60s, a little warmer than Nantasket Beach and equal to or slightly warmer than other ocean beaches of New England.
Yes, the only lifeguarded swimming beach within the Boston Harbor Islands national park area is at Spectacle Island. There is unsupervised swimming at Lovells Island (swim at your own risk). Swimming is prohibited near all island docks.
The Boston Harbor cleanup and creation of the Deer Island Sewage Treatmeny Plant have resulted in Boston Harbor going from one of the dirtiest urban harbors in the country to one of the cleanest. There is still the occasional summer day when the bacteria count may be too high. This is usually due to excessive rainfall, and the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation will close harbor beaches, including Spectacle Island. Water temperaure in mid summer is in the high 60s, a little warmer than Nantasket Beach and equal to or slightly warmer than other ocean beaches of New England.
Park Map
