The Sudbury River powered Saxonville’s 19th century woolen mills. These buildings at the thundering Saxonville Falls today form the core of Saxonville Village, listed on the National Historic Register. Saxonville Mills has been reborn as the home of a vibrant artist community and varied commercial enterprises. Connect to the Carol Getchell Nature Trail for a walk along the Sudbury River. Walk or bicycle between Saxonville and Downtown Natick on the nearby Cochituate Rail Trail past Lake Cochituate. Download the multi-color self-guided walking tour brochure, created by Friends of Saxonville, here.

The installation Confluence, sited on the Assabet River Rail Trail in Maynard Center overlooking the Assabet River, was created by artists Laurie Bogdan and Kimberley Harding. Depicting the convergence of three Massachusetts rivers, Confluence illustrates the issues of human impact on Massachusetts waterways. The extremities depict the pollution from the textile industry, mercury build up, and the excess silt and algae bloom caused by climate change. The rivers’ convergence in the center provides a brighter, more hopeful view, portraying local efforts to mitigate the damage. Since the 1970s efforts to improve the water quality and quantity, preserve habitats, and deal with invasive species have made improvements, but there is still much work to be done. As the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord rivers converge, so should their neighbors also unite to preserve and improve all Massachusetts Waterways.

Story Map highlighting the history and ecology of the Sudbury River at Great Meadows. Participants can view at home or use for a self-guided tour. Options will include an on-water tour and a shoreline tour along the Weir Hill Trail.

Explore the trail system and Land Trust properties around Nashawtuc Hill area of Concord MA with a self-guided walk. This area is easily accessible from multiple parking spots, and is stroller friendly if you want to bring the whole family. You can find the download for the self-guided walk on the Land Trust's website here.

Grab your life jacket, paddles, and boat and hit the water! Use this Family Paddle Guide to pick an adventure that’s suitable for the whole family on the Wild and Scenic Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers! The guide shows 21 locations with descriptions including trails, suitability for baby strollers, dog restrictions, nearby activities, and more.

Discover the outstanding resources along this 15 mile stretch of the Sudbury River. It highlights natural features, ecological areas, historical sites and places described in literature, all of which help to tell the rich story of the Sudbury River. You will pass through the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and its wide wetland floodplains which are habitat for many waterfowl. Near Heard Pond you will see Indian Point which once hosted the annual summer encampment of the Nipmucks and in Fairhaven Bay you will travel by the sites seen and written about by Henry David Thoreau.

You can find printed copies of the river guide in the following locations:

Bedford Boat Launch (map)

Lowell Road Boat Launch (map)

Maynard Boat Launch (map)

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord Unit (map)

Explore the region’s early industrial past and view lots of wildlife as you paddle through remote sections of the Assabet River. The river is home to abundant wildlife, including bald eagles, great blue herons, river otters, painted turtles, largemouth bass and many other species of fish.

You can find printed copies of the river guide in the following locations:

Bedford Boat Launch (map)

Lowell Road Boat Launch (map)

Maynard Boat Launch (map)

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord Unit (map)

The Concord River Boater's Trail is a guide to the outstanding resources along 10 miles of the Concord River. It highlights natural features, ecological areas, historical sites and places described in literature, all of which help to tell the rich story of the Concord River. On the Trail you will pass through the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and its wide wetland floodplains which are habitat for many waterfowl.

You can find printed copies of the river guide in the following locations:

Bedford Boat Launch (map)

Lowell Road Boat Launch (map)

Maynard Boat Launch (map)

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord Unit (map)

In a year-long collaborative public art project by Minute Man National Historical Park and The Umbrella Arts Center, invite you to explore the beauty, history and unique nature of the park through creating and sharing public art. Each season we issue simple seasonal prompts on printable activity and learning sheets challenging everyone with access to a pen, pencil, marker or crayon to share a 'work of art' inspired by the Park via social media. Our current challenge -- to imaginatively fill in the picture surrounding the Old North Bridge -- site of the "shot heard 'round the world" -- is a great challenge for those visiting the area for Solstice. Pick up your sheet at The Old Manse, The Umbrella, or download it at TheUmbrellaArts.org/ONE then share your creation with hashtag #OneRevolutionArt, tagging both @MinuteManNPS and @TheUmbrellaArts. We'll be exhibiting collected work all year!