BOSTON – State Senator Brian A. Joyce recently attended a press conference with Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Ed Lambert at the announcement that both Borderland State Park and the Blue Hills Trailside Museum had won matching funds grants from the department to make a variety of improvements for the public.

“These grants are a testament to the hard work of residents throughout the area that advocate on behalf of some of the tremendous recreational opportunities available in our community,” said Joyce. “I’d like to congratulate Friends of Borderland and Mass Audubon for the exceptional work they did to make sure this money comes into our community to benefit our neighbors and families. I’d also like to thank the administration for their continued support of outdoor recreation throughout the state in understanding that these resources are still important, even when times are tough.”

Borderland State Park in North Easton and Sharon will be receiving $10,000 from the department for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Ames mansion’s historic rock garden. The funds, paired with $5,000 raised by the Friends of Borderland, will remove overgrown vegetation and stone dust from the path, widen the path and replace the plantings with low maintenance species.

Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton will receive $175,000 to provide environmental education programs and materials for school groups, summer camp participants and park visitors. The grant is in response to advocacy done by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

“DCR has an on-going commitment to improving and enriching the natural, cultural and recreational opportunities available to state park users,” said Commissioner Lambert. “The Partnerships Matching Funds Program recognizes the tremendous value of partnership for DCR. The grants enable projects that enrich the visitor experience and improve quality of life for residents of Massachusetts.”