A 21st-Century Vision for Public Lands
Mount Greylock State Reservation, Lanesborough
Massachusetts parks have been badly underfunded with harmful consequences. Over the last 15 years, state parks saw a 50% reduction in its budget. As a result, Massachusetts now ranks near last in the nation in public spending on parks.
Mass Parks for All (MPA) is a statewide non-partisan, non-profit 501(C)(3) organization with a 21st-century vision for protecting, renewing, expanding, and connecting our public lands.
The Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) manages our 500,000-acre state park system.
These properties feature myriad environmental, recreational, cultural, and historic assets. The pandemic has proven beyond doubt that these properties are essential to our mental and physical health. They also contribute significantly to our efforts to mitigate climate change, foster climate resiliency, and support the Commonwealth’s multi-billion-dollar annual outdoor economy.
DCR has a $1.0 billion deferred maintenance backlog.
Over the last 15 years, DCR saw a 50 percent reduction in its budget, forcing massive staff cuts while deferred maintenance soared to more than $1.0 billion. As a result, Massachusetts now ranks last in the nation in public spending on parks.
Every person in the Commonwealth deserves adequately staffed, clean, safe, accessible, and well-maintained parks that provide recreational opportunities for all.
