Boston Harbor Now Provided Free Access to Boston Harbor and Islands for More Than 34,600 People in 2023
BOSTON, Mass. – November 13, 2023 – This summer, more than 34,600 people were able to enjoy Boston Harbor and the Boston Harbor Islands at free or reduced pricing thanks to Boston Harbor Now.
Each year, harbor-focused nonprofit Boston Harbor Now and its partners subsidize visitation for thousands of community members to experience Boston Harbor and Harbor Islands National and State Park for free or at discounted costs. Visitors were able to utilize programs such as the Island Pass, Community Cruises, Library Pass, and Card to Culture for discounts this season to lower the cost of ferry tickets on the harbor and to the islands.
Boston Harbor Now is committed to providing access to Boston Harbor and the Boston Harbor Islands throughout the year, not just during the seasonal months. The team at Boston Harbor Now, in collaboration with various community partners, thoughtfully plans unique programs that inspire the community to explore an area of Boston they may have never experienced before. The opportunity to witness a sunset view from the Harbor and Islands is a unique experience that many have not had. By providing free access programs throughout the year, community members can enjoy being outdoors together while taking in peaceful skyline views of their bustling home city.
“Our mission is to connect people to the Harbor and make sure that they know it is theirs to enjoy,” stated Kathy Abbott, President and CEO of Boston Harbor Now. “Through our free access programs, we’re able to lower one critical barrier for community members to access and experience the region’s largest blue and green public open space.”
Though the region experienced sub-optimal weather this past summer season, more than 50,000 people hopped on ferries to experience the Boston Harbor and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Parks, which further demonstrates the importance of free access programming for community members.
“We were met with a lot of challenges this year due to this abnormally rainy season,” stated Rebecca Smerling, Director of Programs at Boston Harbor Now. “In spite of the rain, we were able to provide an additional 2,000 people with visits to the Harbor and its Islands. Seeing so many people access the waterfront for the first time with family and friends is something we look forward to every year when crafting our free access programs. This is why we do it.”
This year has also been a celebratory year for Boston Harbor Now, with the 10-year anniversary of its Community Cruise program, which was founded to provide unique, community-driven Harbor experiences for specific communities throughout the region.
The free access opportunities hosted by Boston Harbor Now throughout the season were made possible through the support of public and private partners, including the Cummings Foundation, Bay State Cruises, Boston Harbor City Cruises, WS Development Seaport, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the National Park Service, and anonymous donors.
Though the public ferry season is over for the year, Boston Harbor Now will still be offering free access opportunities along the waterfront. For a complete schedule of fall and winter activities on the waterfront and Harbor, visit www.bostonharbornow.org/winter/
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