Trustees of Reservations

Follow Footsteps--Animals and a Hermit!

From 1884 – 1917, Mason A. Walton lived a hermit's life in Ravenswood Park

Adventures in Animal Tracking at Ravenswood Park--just like our Hermit did, over 100 years ago! From 1884 to 1917, Mason Walton lived as a "hermit" in Ravenswood. He closely observed, wrote, and drew about wildlife and animal behaviors. He published a book in 1903. We will walk the hermit's footsteps, share tales from his book, and along the way we will closely observe wildlife signs and determine animal behavior. A Hermit's Wild Friends, only available used from Amazon: [amazon 1290053391 inline] or check it out from the Sawyer Free Library.

When:

Friday, April 25, 2014 1-3pm

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

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Vernal Pool Exploration at Crane Refuge

Explore the vernal habitats of the Crane Wildlife Refuge with the Trustees at Ni

Join The Trustees of Reservations on a misty evening in early Spring, vernal pools are hopping! The swales we find tucked amongst the dunes are coming alive, host to a variety of creatures waking from a long winter’s nap and ready for action! We’ll hike out under cover of darkness to spy on – and listen to – this celebration of awakening. Bring a flashlight or headlamp, and wear boots! We’ll have nets and buckets for up-close observations, but our specimen collecting is strictly catch-and-release.

When:

Sunday, April 17, 2016 7-9pm

Location:

Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

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Beach Cleanup at Crane Beach

Help clean up Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts to get it ready for the Summer!

The Trustees seek volunteers to help collect and remove marine debris and litter from the beachfront. Coffee, trash bags, gloves, instructions, and beautiful scenery will be provided. Friends and families are welcome, but please no dogs. Participants will meet in the main parking lot at the middle board walk.

When:

Saturday, April 23, 2016 9-11am

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

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Pop Up Family Poetry

Walk through Ravenswood Park in Gloucester and make poetry together as a family!

Family Pop-up Poetry. All ages will be inspired by Ravenswood Park! We'll have tools and tips to guide you to write your own poem which you may leave for others to enjoy or take home.

When:

Saturdays and Sundays, April 2-10 12-2pm

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

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From the Sugar Shack: Maple Culinary Class and Sugaring Tour

Come to Appleton Farms to learn about maple sugaring and then learn some great recipes using maple syrup in ipswich Massachusetts!

March is the time for sugaring in New England. Appleton keeps this very special tradition alive by tapping the farms beautiful maple trees and producing wood-fired, small-batch syrup. The first part of the workshop will include a leisurely walk around the farmstead to show how sap is harvested and collected. The tour will wrap up at our sugar shack so you can see (and smell!) the transformation of sap to syrup. You'll gather in the farm kitchen for the second part of the workshop, where chef Carolyn Grieco will teach how to make some of the most delectable maple syrup recipes. Workshop ends with a generous sampling of all our delicious maple dishes!

When:

Sunday, March 13, 2016 3-5pm

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

Maple Sugaring

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Story Time with Elsa at Ravenswood

Come to Ravenswood Park in Gloucester and meet Elsa!

The Trustees of Reservations invite you to Ravenswood Park to meet Elsa at their Pre-K Winter Story Time by the Woodstove! Free if you become a member at the program. Wear your prince or princess outfits! Space is limited, register in advance at by contacting Ramona at rlatham@thetrustees.org or 978.281.8400.

When:

Saturday, March 6, 2016 10-11AM

Location:

Ravenswood Park

Gloucester

Story Hour

Trustees of Reservations

Meet the Character

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Expedition! Vacation Week (ages 7-12)

This February Vacation week come join us for a week full of winter woodland family fun at Ravenswood Park and the Cape Ann Discovery Center. Activities are designed to encourage exploration, stimulate the imagination, and kick start creativity. With a new theme each day, you can register your child (accompanied by his or her favorite adult) per day or join us for the full week at a discounted rate!

When:

Monday, February 15 - Friday, February 19, 2016 10AM-Noon

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

February Vacation

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Igloo Building Contest on the Grand Allee

Join the fun and build an igloo on the Crane Estate's Grande Allee during February Vacation!

Looking for an outdoor activity during school vacation? Come build snow forts with us! We'll have a contest to determine the best winter architects - which igloo is the most structurally sound? The most creative? The one that best represents Ipswich history? The one that best fits the Crane Estate landscape? At the end of the day we'll enjoy some hot chocolate to warm ourselves. Please note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather to maximize comfort and minimize misery! Water is always good to have along.

When:

Friday, February 19, 2016 1-3pm

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

February Vacation

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Valentine's Day Apres Ski with Appleton Cheeses

Enjoy the snowy trails of Ravenswood Park in Gloucester on Valentine's Day!

Celebrate Valentines Day the natural way... outdoors! Escape the hearts and join us for an afternoon of skiing or snowshoeing (or hiking if no snow) through Ravenswood's carriage paths of rolling hills and dales. Warm up afterwards around the woodstove with a tasting of Appleton Farms cheeses, local chocolate, and wine. Pre-registration required. Bring your own skis or snowshoes (or rent snowshoes from us).

When:

Sunday, February 14, 2016 1-3pm

Location:

Ravenswood Park

Sports Stop

Gloucester

Trustees of Reservations

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The Amazing Arctic Race

Have an Outdoor Adventure at Ravenswood Park, then warm up by the fire with a hot cocoa at the Cape Ann Discovery Center in Gloucester

An afternoon of arctic adventure awaits the whole family. We've set up winter challenges throughout the park. Use maps and compass to navigate the park, find hidden markers, complete challenges and post your team's time. Win prizes! Bring your skis or snowshoes (or rent our snowshoes)!

When:

Saturday, February 13, 2016 12-3pm

Location:

Ravenswood Park

Gloucester

Scavenger Hunt

Trustees of Reservations

Walk

Hike

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .

Where: Pingree School

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Marblehead Farmers' Market

The Marblehead Farmer's Market boasts 15+ local farms, and booths with an educational spin nutrition, vendors and farms selling homemade prepared goods and craft vendors that are switched up in a rotation basis week to week. Additionally there are entertainers and exhibits by environmentally...

Where: Marblehead Farmers' Market

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Renaissance Faire Day

Step into the world of medieval and Renaissance culture at Hammond Castle Museum, where the castle itself provides a uniquely dramatic backdrop for a magical day steeped in history and fantasy in a stunning setting.

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Discover Saturdays at Cape Ann Museum

Enjoy a FREE guided activity (ages 4+) in the gallery. Learn about Cape Ann’s Granite Industry, try a fun art making activity, and join in gallery tour designed for kids and their caregivers, led by a CAM Educator. Afterwards grab a scavenger hunt to explore the property and enjoy the lawn.

Where: Cape Ann Museum Green

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Fall Foliage Cider & Donut Cruises

Essex River Cruises hosts a narrated sightseeing tour that winds down the beautiful Essex River aboard Essex River Queen, a pontoon boat.

Where: Essex River Cruises & Charters

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

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Thursday, November 27

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Run for the Pies in Ipswich

Start your turkey day by burning off some calories with a run or walk along the Ipswich River! Every 10th adult finisher receives a large Russell Orchards pie; every child Fun Run finisher receives a 4" Table Talk pie. and you'll have a chance to win a ready-to-bake pie! Racers, runners, walkers or...

Where: Ipswich Town Hall

8:00 am

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