The summer of 2014 was an enjoyable one for Bostonians. The weather was uncharacteristically mild in general with only the occasional spike in temperature and humidity. This temperate atmosphere afforded residents and tourists alike to explore arguably the best staycation in our own, collective front yard: the Boston Harbor Islands. So popular did the park system become, in fact, that its caretakers made it clear that this season was a record breaking one.
The Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is overseen by organizations at the city, state and federal level as well as nonprofits and independent organizations. To reach Georges Island, the transportation hub for island hopping, goers need only pay the $15 fee and, not unlike the MBTA, once they hop on the ferry they can ride it to any of the islands it services.
So, why did the Islands become the darling getaway for many who graced Boston’s Long Wharf, the launching point for ferry service? The sizable influx of visitors was a consequence of the coming together of three aspects: programming, partnerships and camping.
According to data obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, an eye-popping 24,000 visitors participated in public programs.
A whopping 352 recreational use permits were issued for private events of 25 people or more, which, DCR notes, is more than double the number from 2013.
On top of that, DCR was able to facilitate and dole out 4,197 free ferry passes to those who were fortunate enough to beat out the swarming crowds.
Yurts and campsites, which can be found at the likes of Peddocks Island, Lovells, Bumkin and Grape, sold out seven days per week throughout the entire season.
And, as if proliferated visitor participation numbers weren’t enough, DCR grew its own staff as well. A solid 51 seasonal staffers, three FTE Forest & Park Supervisors and three boat operators ran 550 ferry trips, landscaped over 400 acres of scenery and completed over 330 maintenance requests.
The vice president of development and external affairs at the Boston Harbor Islands Alliance, the park’s fundraising arm, Mike Dyer, told BostInno a solid chunk of the park’s success come’s from its event agenda.
“Our fitness programs, in particular Yoga on Spectacle, were very popular,” said Dyer. “Yoga has been a program for several years, but struggled with attendance. This summer demand spiked, for the first time requiring us to take reservations in advance. It was awesome to see 60+ people at a time participating in Yoga on the Spectacle Island pier.
And everyone in charge of the Islands has more in store for next year.
Ferry service for this season ends on Monday, October 13, so be sure to get your time in this weekend if you haven’t already. In the meantime, let us know what you like best and worst about the islands in the comments section below.
