Free Access 2019
Boston Harbor Now proudly reports that 40,000 youth and families from Greater Boston received free and reduced-cost access to Harbor Islands and waterfront programming in 2019.
This year, Boston Harbor Now worked with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the National Park Service to provide more free and reduced cost public access to the Islands and Harbor than ever before, surpassing 35,000 people served in 2018.
This free and reduced-cost access was made possible by the generous support of Boston Harbor Cruises, Bay State Cruises, Massachusetts Bay Lines, AARP Massachusetts, Boston Cultural Council, Millennium Partners, Eastern Bank, LL Bean and the National Park Foundation, Marion L. Decrow Memorial Foundation, Highland Street Foundation, WS Development Seaport Community Grant Program, the National Park Service, and donors to Boston Harbor Now.
Foster Families Community Cruise
Island Pass
Through our network of 250+ nonprofits and community groups, Island Pass provides free access to the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park for 15,000 youth, seniors and families. New this year, Boston Harbor Now added foster parents and their kids, teen parents, and new immigrants, with a focus on neighborhoods served through our Community Cruises.
Community Cruises
Boston Harbor Now hosted 12 Community Cruises for South Boston, Charlestown, Foster Families, Roxbury, East Boston, Latinx, Mattapan, Asian American Pacific Islanders, Quincy, Artist Cultural Exchange, and Ages 50+. Through the initiative, nearly 12,000 people were welcomed to the harbor, while enjoying music, art, food, dance, kids activities through partnership with the New England Aquarium, NPS, and Boston Water and Sewer Commission.
“I think that type of community event is really beneficial for the whole city and for everybody involved. You’re seeing a lot of different types of families, a lot of different age groups and stuff, so I think it’s a really positive thing that hopefully, they’ll do it again.”
-Kathy, Community member on the Quincy Community Cruise
Free Ferry Days
More than 11,000 visitors to the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park visited during 3 Free Ferry Days and a Veterans Cruise this year, including a Free Fun Fridays event in partnership with Highland Street Foundation.
DCR Park Ranger leads a tour on Georges Island
Library Pass Program
Serving over 100 regional libraries, over 10,000 people received 2-for-1 reduced cost access to the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park this year. Park Rangers visited 5 libraries during public outreach.
Boston Harbor Now thanks the community and donors for their generous support of the Free Access program in 2019.
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