THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 Page 15 DCR announces family-friendly, self-guided opportunities for February school vacation week T he state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recently announced that it will offer family-friendly Trip-Tips, self-guided adventures and suggested hikes for approximately 20 state park facilities during the traditional February school vacation week. Programming can be enjoyed at any time starting on Saturday, February 13, 2021. DCR Trip-Tips provide children and their families with self-guided activity ideas to lead their exploration of a local state park or watershed. The Trip-Tips include activities like winter birding, wildlife observation, history tours, and scavenger hunts. For a full list of Trip-Tips, visit DCR’s website. “This winter, DCR is thrilled to offer school vacation TripTips encouraging children and their families to enjoy the fresh air and experience self-guided opportunities in their local state park,” said DCR Commissioner James Montgomery. “The Baker-Polito Administration continues to increase both access within our state parks system and opportunities for the public to enjoy the many recreational resources available to them.” In addition to the school vacation week programming, DCR is offering public skating at Kelly Outdoor Rink from noon to 7:30 p.m. Sundays through Fridays and 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The DCR is also offering self-guided suggested hiking adventures at approximately 70 locations statewide. The DCR Trip-Tip itineraries and self-guided recommended hikes can be found on the DCR website. For winter hiking safety tips, visit the DCR YouTube page. Some programming highlights include: Beaver Lodge Hunt and Find Location: Bradley Palmer State Park, 40 Asbury St. in Topsfield Harold Parker State Forest, 305 Middleton Rd. in North Andover Explore the woods and find the homes of nature’s engineers! The beaver is a rarely seen, secretive animal, but their signs are easily noticed if you know where and how to look. This self-guided Trip-Tips takes you on a beaver lodge discovery tour in two parks to find lodges in four different locations. Sharpen your skills of observation as you look for signs that are hidden in plain sight— things that a lot of people just don’t see. Your journey will take you to Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield and Harold Parker State Forest in North Andover, two forested parks that are Free Coffee Mondays heat up February for Dunkin’s DD Perks rewards members D unkin’ has brewed up a big way to keep its most loyal coffee drinkers runnin’ all February long. The brand announced the launch of Free Coffee Mondays, bringing DD Perks rewards members a free medium hot coffee with any purchase every Monday in February. This special offer gives Dunkin’s most passionate guests the chance to start each week with their go-to Dunkin’ brew, such as Original Blend or Dunkin’ Decaf. Or, perhaps discover a new favorite with recently introduced Dunkin’ hot coffee options, including Dunkin’ Midnight, Dunkin’s darkest roast ever with notes of decadent cocoa, and Explorer Batch, a medium roast featuring dark berry flavors and a smoky finish. “As we head into the home stretch of winter, we know our fans could use a little extra boost to stay energized,” said Dunkin’ Brands Loyalty Marketing and Strategy Director Joanna Bonder. “With Free Coffee Mondays, we look forward to keeping our rewards members running with a free cup of hot coffee to help start each week in February off right.” To take part in Free Coffee Mondays, DD Perks members can simply order ahead via the Dunkin’ App or have their loyalty ID QR code scanned before they pay. Coffee lovers who are not currently rewards members can enroll on the Dunkin’ App or at DDPerks.com. DD Perks members earn five points for every dollar they spend on qualifying purchases at Dunkin’. Once a member accrues 200 points, the member receives a free beverage reward of any size that is redeemable at participating Dunkin’ restaurants. about 30 minutes apart. Suitable for all ages. No parking fees apply. Explore the Winter Shore Location: Halibut Point State Park, Gott Ave. in Rockport Revere Beach Reservation, Revere Beach Blvd. in Revere Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, 1399 Bennington St. in East Boston Explore history and nature on the shore this winter! These self-guided Trip-Tips feature three DCR parks that are located along a scenic ocean drive: Halibut Point State Park, Revere Beach Reservation, and Belle Isle Marsh Reservation. Activities include viewing the harlequin ducks, eider ducks, and loons at the rocky coastal water’s edge of Halibut Point, searching for and photographing noteworthy buildings and structures that grace the shoreline, and exploring a saltmarsh filled with a variety of winter birds including the American Black Duck, Brant and, Great Blue Heron at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation. Don’t forget to bring along your binoculars, spotting scope, camera, and sketch pad! Suitable for all ages. No parking fees apply. Visitors are encouraged to tweet, post, and tag photos on social media using @MassDCR and #DCRTripTips. The DCR asks visitors to park in designated areas only, and to come back another time if a parking lot is full. Many visitor centers remain closed. However, restrooms or porta-johns within many DCR parks remain open. Dogs are required to be on leash in state parks unless signage designates otherwise. Dogs are not permitted on DCR Water Supply Protection areas. To find a dog-friendly park, visit the DCR website. When visiting state parks, DCR offers general guidance for visitors to follow: • If a facility or park is crowded, please consider leaving the area and either visiting a different location or returning at a later date or time (typically state parks are less busy during the week and/or early in the morning); • Follow posted rules, such as “carry in, carry out” trash policies and posted parking restrictions and pet waste disposal policies; • Stay within solitary or small groups, and avoid gatherings of ten or more people; • Practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals; • Wear a facial mask or covering in public; • Practice healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing for at least 20 seconds; and, • Stay home if ill, over 70, and/ or part of a vulnerable population.
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