Blue Hills Trailside Museum celebrates grand reopening
By Canton Citizen
(L-R) Zoo NE President & CEO John Linehan, Rep. Bruce Ayers, Rep. Bill Galvin, Mass Audubon President David O’Neill, Mass Audubon Metro South Director Lauren Gordon, Rep. Bill Driscoll, and DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery celebrate the completion of the Trailside Museum improvement project. (Danielle Lanson photo)
On Saturday, October 16, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Jim Montgomery joined with Mass Audubon and local officials at a ribbon-cutting and “grand reopening” ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Blue Hills Trailside Museum and Otter Exhibit improvement project within the Blue Hills State Reservation.
“By partnering with key stakeholders on projects like the improvement of the Trailside Museum and exhibits, we are able to further strengthen community bonds and expand visitor opportunities,” said Commissioner Montgomery. “The revitalized museum and exhibits will be a popular destination for the Milton community and surrounding area, bringing new energy and excitement to the educational center of the Blue Hills.”
The $2.3 million project broke ground in spring 2019, and the otter exhibit was completed in August 2021. Additionally, the otter was introduced to the new habitat in September to allow for acclimation time before holding a celebration of the completed project.
Besides the new otter exhibit, the scope of the project includes a new animal care shed for feeding, training and caretaking purposes; a new turtle exhibit with glass panels and reconstructed basin; universal access improvements at the entrance to the museum; and improved access for keepers, veterinarians, and exhibit staff.
Located on the border of Canton and Milton, Trailside Museum opened in 1959 and was initially operated by the Museum of Science. In 1961, the Massachusetts Zoological Society (later the Boston Zoological Society) assumed management, and in 1974, Mass Audubon took over as operator of the museum building and its associated outdoor exhibits. In continued partnership with Mass Audubon, the Blue Hills Trailside Museum serves as the interpretive center for the Blue Hills Reservation and features a natural history museum and outdoor exhibits of native wildlife.
“I am elated to be welcoming back our North American river otter to the Blue Hills Trailside Museum,” said state Senator Walter Timilty (D-Milton). “After a two-year habitat renovation, this home for the otter is now better than ever. The Blue Hills Trailside Museum is truly a gem in the commonwealth and serves as the public’s window into the Blue Hills Reservation. This renovation not only improves the otter’s experience living here, but also improves the educational quality of the visitors’ experience.”
“It is wonderful that Trailside’s resident otter has a brand-new home,” said state Rep. Bill Galvin (D-Canton). “The otter exhibit is a favorite for visitors to the Trailside and I am sure kids and adults will enjoy learning all about otters while visiting the new exhibit. Thank you to the staff at the Trailside and DCR for their efforts in revitalizing the exhibit and to Zoo New England (led by Canton native John Linehan) for taking care of the otter while his new home was under construction.”
In addition to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the celebration also marked the launch of the museum’s new children’s book, One Day at Trailside. Author Ann Suzedell and illustrator Susan Kilmartin were both on hand to sign copies of the book and participate in an organized walk.
See this week’s Citizen for more photos from the Trailside Museum ribbon-cutting event.
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Posted by Canton Citizen
on Oct 22 2021. Filed under News.
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