Grace Evans, our 2020 Kerry Mackin intern, demonstrates using a smartphone to access fun content with trail posted QR codes.
Our partners at the Essex National Heritage Area kick off Trails and Sails this Friday, September 18th and it’s a great chance to explore all the history, culture, and natural treasures of Essex County. Our favorite part of Trails and Sails is seeing so many people sharing what they love about their communities. It’s very exciting to see all the different talents, passions, and perspectives that make up the Ipswich River community.
For example, Middleton Stream Teamers and Ipswich River members Pike Messenger and Nancy Sanders both have pieces in PASSAGE: Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay Park. For three weeks, starting this Sunday, the annual Maudslay Outdoor Sculpture show will be on display and this year’s theme is “passage”. Pike describes his piece as, “a rainbow subject to breezes, the passages of light, and air.” Nancy’s sculpture represents the passage of alewives up our rivers to spawn. Nancy has also been collaborating on the Ocean of Rivers project, which focuses on migratory fish and their historic importance to the Ipswich River area, as well as the connection between human communities and the natural world. The Ocean of Rivers project is supported in part by grants from the Boxford, Ipswich, and Topsfield Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
As part of Trails and Sails, Ipswich River, BTA/BOLT, Fort Port Theater Channel, and the Masconomet Environmental Club are partnering on two Ocean of Rivers themed DIY walks. Along the two selected routes at Fish Brook and Pye Brook, walkers will find QR codes to guide them. Using their smartphones, walkers can enjoy a physically distanced walk with videos, additional information about river restoration on whatever day, and at whatever time, works for them during the full two weeks of Trails and Sails.
These walks are a great chance for families to do something together in nature, or for students to participate in self-guided exploration of their community. We still plan to host a live, interactive Ocean of Rivers performance in downtown Ipswich, in partnership with the town, as soon as safely feasible. You can participate now by collecting natural materials on your Trails and Sails walks and creating an Alewife puppet.
Please enjoy exploring the Ipswich River watershed and the other beautiful places in Essex County this month. Make sure to take pictures of your adventures and tag us @ipswich_river or email photos and videos to us at irwainfo @ ipswichriver.org