The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $164,900 in grants to support equitable access to outdoor recreation events through the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR).
Seventeen organizations and municipalities have been awarded Inclusive and Accessible Event Grants to improve ease of access to outdoor recreational activities for low-income residents, communities of color, and people living with disabilities.
Among the organizations receiving awards are the Coalition for a Better Acre in Lowell and the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust.
The CBA received $10,000 toward the Horseback and Alpaca Experience for Youth. The project will provide enriching farm experiences for 50 youth from Lowell’s Acre neighborhood.
Through partnerships with Harvard Alpaca Ranch and Hunters Haven Farm, participants will engage in horseback riding, animal care, and nature exploration during February and April 2025.
This initiative seeks to foster teamwork and build self-confidence for low-income children by offering these meaningful, animal-centric outdoor experiences. It aligns with CBA’s mission to support community development and provide opportunities for underrepresented youth.
LPCT also received $10,000 for Rafting the Neighborhood, a program aimed at increasing access to outdoor recreation for historically underrepresented communities in Lowell.
The event will introduce BIPOC and low-income residents to rafting on the Concord River, with scholarships for three participants to attend Zoar Outdoor’s Raft Guide School. This program aims to break barriers in outdoor recreation, enhance environmental stewardship, and create employment opportunities in the rafting industry for participants
“There is incredible work being done by our partners across the state, and we’re proud to elevate and amplify their efforts of making the outdoors more inclusive,” said MOOR Director Paul Jahnige. “Outdoor recreation is not just about having fun (although it is) — it also plays a vital role in fostering a healthy, vibrant, and welcoming Massachusetts. These events illustrate water’s life-giving power, the forest’s healing effects, and the therapeutic value of animal interactions in nature.”
Established in December 2022, MOOR collaborates with agencies and private partners to promote outdoor activities across the state, including hunting, fishing, horseback riding, paddling, swimming, and more. Outdoor recreation is vital to Massachusetts, contributing $11 billion to the economy, creating over 102,000 jobs, and boosting tourism.
