DCR, Park Advocates, and Local Legislators Launch “Be Kind!” Campaign

STONEHAM, November 3, 2023 – In partnership with park advocates and local legislators, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) celebrated the launch of a new public awareness campaign encouraging visitors to the state park system to act with kindness – toward the people around them, park staff, and the plants and animals that call these spaces home. Today’s announcement was made by DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo, Senator Jason Lewis, Representative Paul Donato, and leaders from the Friends of the Fells, the Friends of the Blue Hills, and the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) in the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

“We are committed to providing our communities with access to natural, recreational, and cultural resources, and we all have a role to play in their stewardship,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “The goal of the Be Kind! campaign is to inspire park visitors to take an active role in making these spaces welcoming and preserving them for generations to come.”

The Be Kind! public awareness campaign encourages all park visitors – whether hiking, biking, or walking their dogs– to contribute to a culture of shared stewardship in our state parks. The campaign suggests behaviors that park visitors can employ to ensure they are being respectful of one another and of our natural environment. These suggested actions will be displayed on signs in English and Spanish at trailheads in the Middlesex Fells and Blue Hills Reservations. Specifically, Be Kind! encourages people to:

• Listen for other people on trails and make space for others to pass;
• Keep dogs leashed outside of designated off-leash areas;
• Leave no trace of litter or waste; and
• Stay on the trails – on foot, paw, or bike.

"The Middlesex Fells and all our state parks are an incredible resource for people of all ages to enjoy, but that requires that we show respect toward one another and the natural environment," said Senator Jason Lewis (D), Middlesex. "I'm very grateful to my colleagues in the Legislative Caucus, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Friends of the Middlesex Fells, and Friends of the Blue Hills for their efforts in developing and launching the Be Kind! public awareness campaign."

“I am thrilled to support such a wonderful movement as Be Kind!” said Representative Paul Donato (D), Middlesex. “Not only will this movement serve as a reminder to protect our parks, but it will also prompt the community to come together to respect the places we love. Being mindful of the impacts we make as a society will allow us to make positive changes to the spaces that contribute to our homes.”

The Be Kind! campaign was developed in partnership with the Friends of the Middlesex Fells and the Friends of the Blue Hills through an initiative funded by the Legislature. The campaign and materials were developed through a survey of park visitors, focus groups, and tests of ideas on the Friends of the Fells and Friends of the Blue Hills respective Facebook pages. The Friends groups also hosted meetings with park staff and with other park advocacy groups, including NEMBA.

“We are proud to be part of advancing this effort and look forward to incorporating the Be Kind! brand into upcoming stewardship events,” said Friends of the Fells Executive Director Chris Redfern. “The positive messages in the Be Kind! campaign will provide an upbeat reminder of why our members are giving back to our public spaces.”

"Our Call to Action is simple yet powerful: Be Kind! This rallying cry urges us to safeguard our parks not only for ourselves but also for the generations to come," said Friends of the Blue Hills Board Member Carina Bandle. "It embodies the spirit of fostering a united community that values compassion and mutual respect. By nurturing a collective sense of care for one another and our precious wild outdoor spaces, we can forge a future where the joys of these natural wonders are shared and cherished by all."

“Our state parks are critical to recreation and equal access to open space for all – including the mountain biking community,” said Greater Boston New England Mountain Bike Association President Mary McCarthy. “We’re excited to help promote acts of kindness that protect these spaces, foster community, and create epic experiences for riders and all park users.”

To learn more about the Be Kind! campaign visit https://www.mass.gov/guides/be-kind-massachusetts and follow the hashtags #BeKindMA / #SeAmabeMA.