Greenwood Park

The StoryWalk® Kickoff Event
Saturday, October 7 10:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Greenwood Park across from Stone Zoo, Stoneham (see map)

Join us as we kickoff this fall StoryWalk® at the Fells! We will meet at the play area at Greenwood Park, meander our way through the Crystal Springs Trail while reading the pages of the story It’s Fall, by Linda Glaser. When we finish, we will enjoy a craft, sing-a-long, and other fun activities.
Registration requested but is not required. Call 781-246-5187.

Middlesex Fells StoryWalk®
Saturday, October 7 – Sunday, October 22, 2017

It’s Fall! by Linda Glaser is the next book for our collaborative StoryWalk® from Saturday, October 7 through Sunday, October 22. The book brings out all the colors and beauty of the fall season. Skip and swoosh through the leaves, as red, orange, yellow, gold and brown leaves fall down around us. A marvelous way to experience the colors and textures of fall, explore the wonders of autumn, including the animal life, the plant life, and the weather of the season!

The walk begins at Greenwood Park, in Stoneham (across from the Stone Zoo), and will continue along the Crystal Springs Trail in an easy, 1/3-mile loop. Foster your child’s connection with nature as well as their literacy skills by participating in our StoryWalk® in the Fells! This project is a collaboration of Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Malden Coordinated Family and Community Engagement, Mass in Motion, Medford Family Network and North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network.

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.

Middlesex Fells StoryWalk®

Saturday, July 22 – Sunday August 6

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is our next StoryWalk®. What a great way to combine literature, exercise, and family fun! This title contains colorful illustrations that keep step with the, simple, sometimes rhyming text. Learn about these fascinating beauties and their complex lives!

The StoryWalk® is a collaboration of the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mass in Motion, Medford Family Network and the North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network.

Thank you so much for joining us today!

The walk begins at Greenwood Park, in Stoneham (across from the Stone Zoo), and will continue along the Crystal Springs Trail in an easy, 1/3-mile loop.

Foster your child’s connection with nature as well as their literacy skills by participating in our StoryWalk® in the Fells!

The StoryWalkTM Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.

By Laurie Adamson FOF Member and Volunteer

Photography by Dennis Crouse

My husband and I joined Pete Costello and six other birders on a cool Saturday morning in May to bird watch. Pete has been leading birding trips in the Greenwood Park area on Saturday mornings during spring migration.

We had a delightful morning watching and listening to birds. Since retiring I have become a warbler junkie. These birds are my favorite spring migrants. I call them ‘little jewels’. They are painted beautiful colors and have exquisite markings. You look up in the trees and see brilliant yellow: yellow rumps, orange and black throats, gold colored caps, streaks on the breast and chestnut sides. They are a feast for the eyes. But is doesn’t stop there; these little guys also have beautiful songs. Beauty and song aren’t the only things that attract me to watching these birds. They also put on a wonderful display hopping from branch to branch, flying out catching insects in flight. It is a wonderful dance to watch.

Pete was willing to take us to his “secret spot”. No, he didn’t ask us to put on blindfolds and we didn’t take an oath not to tell anyone. He enjoyed sharing his spot with others who share his love for birdwatching. On this morning we were treated to several warblers: yellow warbler, black and white warbler, northern parula, yellow rump warbler, black throated green and a common yellow throat. Another treat was a pair of rose breasted grosbeaks. We watched the female building a nest. We were serenaded by Baltimore orioles. Their brilliant orange is an eye catcher.

Get out your binoculars and enjoy the parade of gems in the Fells. If you don’t have binoculars, don’t fret. You will still be able to enjoy the birds. The orioles this time of year are plentiful and put on lively displays. You can’t miss their brilliant orange. You can also watch the warblers doing their acrobatics in the trees. There are many great places to bird in the Fells: Long Pond, Wrights Pond, High Service Reservoirs, the shore of Spot Pond, and Virginia Woods.

Pete has a wonderful approach to birdwatching. He moves quietly through the woods, frequently stops to watch and listen, and will stay in one spot to watch and wait to see who visits. People new to birding to seasoned birders are welcomed on his trips.

Thank you to all who made our 15-year anniversary event on Saturday a huge success! We estimate nearly 150 people were in attendance to enjoy the live animal show from Critters ‘n Creatures, face-painting, and scavenger hunt! Thanks so much to the Medford Family Network and the North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network for support in planning the event, and to the Stone Zoo for donating zoo passes for the raffle! It was a fantastic day.

Here’s what our enthusiastic face-painter, Kathy, had to say about the event:

Just wanted to say what a fun and great event the reunion was on Saturday. Everything went well and the families enjoyed it. As I was doing tattoos I was asking what animals they enjoyed and what they were going to have painted on their face. Lots of nice interaction with the kids and parents. Hope to be celebrating 20 years with all of you.

Here are a few photos from the day’s events:

Fall StoryWalk® 2017