IRWA's New Home ~ Riverbend

IRWA is the very happy owner of a beautiful 15-acre property, known as Riverbend, with almost a quarter-mile of frontage on the Ipswich River. The property, located in Ipswich on County Road (Route 1A), was generously donated to IRWA by Dr. Joseph R. Petranek, who made it his home for more than 40 years.

Opening of Riverbend
Work Days
Water Friendly Demonstration Projects
About Riverbend
Directions and Contact Information

Riverbend Work Days

Thanks so much to all of the dedicated volunteers that have helped us install pavers, a universally accessible entrance ramp, painted, installed flooring, and completed myriad other tasks at Riverbend! We couldn't have done it without you!

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Water Friendly Demonstration Projects

Progress continues apace at Riverbend. Our water-friendly demonstration projects are under construction, thanks to a generous Keeping Water Local grant from the Massachusetts Riverways Program. Visit our Keeping Water Local page for information about the project, and fact sheets describing the projects. Projects include a native plant garden, rain gardens, green roof, permeable parking lot, rainwater harvesting system, and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

Rain Garden
A very dedicated group of volunteers and neighbors helped to plant our colorful rain gardens in June. Thanks to Denise King, Jeff Gang, Gail Gang, Sharon Grimes, Cheryl Yemma, Bob Tragert, Cory McLaughlin, and Katy Aldrich for their help with the garden planting!

Volunteers helped to plant the new native and low-maintenance plant garden at Riverbend's entrance.

Native Plant Garden
With the help of a dedicated group of interns, including Meredith Emery, Tim Becker, and Francesca DeLuca, a demonstration garden featuring native and low-maintenance plants at the driveway entrance to the property. More than 25 enthusiastic volunteers helped with the planting as part of a Greenscapes workshop on Gardening with Native Plants on the North Shore.

A hearty thanks to Denise King Landscape Designs, Corliss Bros Nursery and Garden Center, Jeff Allsopp, Antonelli Landscaping, Wolf Hill Home and Garden Center, and all of our wonderful friends and volunteers who made this garden possible.

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About Riverbend

IRWA hired Allsopp Design to manage the adaptive reuse project, which includes a new universally accessible entrance and display area, as well as interior renovations and window replacement.

"Our new home ushers in a new era for the Watershed Association" said Kerry Mackin, IRWA's Executive Director. "This extraordinary gift comes at a great time, as we celebrate our 30th year as the voice of the river and enjoy remarkable progress in restoring the Ipswich River to health. We look forward to a new chapter of collaboration with residents, businesses, schools and communities to protect the river and ensure that our water supplies are safe and sustainable. IRWA is also helping communities to address stormwater problems, helping residents create beautiful and environmentally friendly landscapes, and providing resources for schools to explore our rivers and learn how to protect the environment."

IRWA is converting the house into its headquarters and will create a visitor center with displays about the Ipswich River. There will also be trails with access to the river, and a canoe landing. A grand opening will take place in 2007, after renovations are complete. At that time, the property will be open to the public for canoeing, kayaking, walking, birding, and nature observations. IRWA also hopes to conduct educational programs at the property about how we can all become water wise and protect and enjoy our region's beautiful rivers.

To make a donation to support IRWA's Riverbend renovations, or if you are interested in helping IRWA with building projects, property management, trail maintenance, creating demonstration gardens, or river protection, please contact us at 978-412-8200 or irwainfo@ipswichriver.org.

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