National Park Week Activities In Lowell April 18 -24, 2010

Date: April 12, 2010

LOWELL, MA — Throughout the United States, the National Park Service is celebrating National Park Week, April 18-24. In conjunction with National Park Week and Earth Day, Lowell National Historical Park and partners are getting out and getting ready for spring.  "National Park Week and Earth Day are a perfect opportunity to celebrate the commitment by volunteers to the stewardship of this City's unique historic landscape," stated Peter Aucella, acting Park Superintendent.  Please join in for the several hands-on events and special programs scheduled:

Keep Lowell Beautiful Community Gardens Greenhouse Earth Day on Sunday, April 18, 12 noon to 4 p.m.:  4th Annual Earth Day Festival at the Community Gardens Greenhouse celebrating the environment and partnerships in Lowell.  Students from the Park-sponsored First Bloom Project will host participating national parks and agencies.  Events include music and craft activities celebrating the opening of the planting season and other happenings during the week. 
Location:  220 Aiken Street, Lowell NHP maintenance facility.

Corporate Clean-up on Thursday, April 22, 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.:
Metabolix, a bioscience company in the Wannalancit Mill, will conduct a clean-up in the area along the Western Canal to the Tremont Gatehouse and canalway along sections of the Northern Canal.
Location:  Western Canal at the Tremont Gatehouse and along the Northern Canal walkway.

MBTA Earth Day Tour: Earth Day 1800, Thursday, April 22,  11:15 a.m.:
Although not yet recognized with an “Earth Day”, 19th century residents had an impression of the natural world around them.  Join us for a special walking tour of “early Lowell.”This event is part of “National Parks Only a T Ride Away” events sponsored by the MBTA during Earth Week. This walk coordinates with the 10:54 am arrival of the 10:10 train from North Station.
Location:  Gallagher Terminal, LRTA Thorndike Street, Lowell.

Composting Workshop, Thursday, April 22, 11:30 a.m – 1:30 p.m.: Learn the art of composting during this “hands –on” workshop.  Lunch will be provided.
Location: 220 Aiken Street, Lowell NHP maintenance facility.

Lowell Travelogue Series: John Muir National Historic Site, Thursday, April 22, 2:30 p.m: John Muir convinced President Teddy Roosevelt to protect Yosemite (including Yosemite Valley), Sequoia, Grand Canyon and Mt. Rainier as National Parks.  Learn of his many accomplishments during his lifetime that relate to the National Park system of today.
Location:   Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street, Lowell.

Earth Day Clean-up on Saturday, April 24, 8 a.m. to 1:00 pm:  Come dressed to get dirty and make a dent in a winter’s worth of litter and debris along our canals and waterways!  Pre-registration for this event by calling the Lowell National Historical Park volunteer office at 978-275-1740 or emailing at:  [e-mail]
Location:  Kick-off with speakers and team assignments at Middlesex Community College, at the City Building cafeteria, 33 Kearney Square, Lowell.

Junior Ranger Day, April 24, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Throughout downtown Lowell, activities include:
 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon Downtown Earth Day Clean-up 
• T-shirts and special commemorative patches for the first 50 young people
• 8:30 a.m. registration at Middlesex Community College
• Parental permission required
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Scavenger Hunt at the River Transformed Exhibit
• Travel by trolley to the historic Suffolk Mill and explore
• Commemorative patches and other surprises
• Be one of the first people to get the River Transformed Exhibit Official Site Stamp
• Departs from Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center
  246 Market Street
2:30 p.m. -4:00 p.m.  158th Anniversary of the Great Flood
• Join Professor Pat Malone and a park ranger to explore the fascinating story of the “Great Gate.”
Location for tour, Francis Gate/Guard Locks, 715 Broadway, Lowell.

Waterpower in Lowell Tour 2:30 p.m. “Water Power in Lowell,” a free walking tour at Francis Gate Complex, will be presented by Dr. Malone.  Author or “Waterpower in Lowell: Engineering and Industry in Nineteenth-Century America”, Dr. Patrick M. Malone has captured an in-depth account of the history and personalities behind this exceptional facet of Lowell.
Location: Francis Gate/Guard Locks Complex, 715 Broadway Street , Lowell.

Volunteer Appreciation Event 4:30-6:30 p.m.  Capping off National Park Week, Volunteer Appreciation is the highlight of all the work dedicated volunteers perform for the benefit of Lowell National Historical Park. Please join us in recognizing several outstanding Park volunteers.  This year’s recipients for Lifetime Achievement are: Pauline Golec, Louise Sweet and the Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society and the recipients for Volunteer of the Year are: Miriam Perkins and Barry Green.
Location: Boott Events Center, Boott Cotton Mills Museum

All events are rain-or-shine.

Co-sponsors:  Keep Lowell Beautiful; Lowell Canalwaters Cleaners; Community Gardens Greenhouse; Lowell Celebrates Kerouac; Spindle City Corps; Middlesex Community College.

Great Photo Opportunities