Green Team Service at D.W. Field Park and Beyond

For the past two summers, Wildlands Trust and Manomet have sponsored, designed, and led Green Team as part of the D.W. Field Park Initiative. This paid opportunity offers Brockton-area teens a stipend of $75/day as they acquire skills in environmental management while learning about the city’s natural resources. Daily discussions with local professionals expose them to career, volunteer, and civic engagement opportunities. In July and August of 2023, Green Team crewmembers worked on projects at D.W. Field Park, the George Manthala Elementary School, and Stone Farm Conservation Area.

At D.W. Field Park, the crew completed a number of projects contributing to the master plan and making small but impactful improvements throughout the park:

1. Litter cleanup. Litter was not only collected but recorded, along with waste receptacles, to provide data that will inform a new plan for waste management at the park.

2. Nature trail. A social trail along a wooded peninsula jutting into Waldo Lake was formalized as the crew cleared brush, mapped the trail, built and installed new benches, installed tree identification plaques, and installed a mini kiosk with the new map they helped create. Fittingly, they named it Waldo Point Trail.

3. Picnic tables repaired. Damaged picnic tables were repaired and repainted at the main picnic area off the Oak St. parking lot.

4. Walking Audit performed. Led by WalkMassachusetts, the crew conducted a walking audit to assess infrastructure that supports walkability and accessibility at the park. Their feedback will contribute to the audit report composed by WalkMassachusetts, which will be incorporated into the master plan.

5. Entrance garden. With help from Brockton’s Superintendent of Parks Tim Carpenter and D.W. Field Park Association President Patrick Quinn, the crew designed and planted a new garden at the Oak St. entrance to the park. Many native and drought-tolerant plants were used to give the entrance a fresh look and provide valuable habitat to pollinators and other wildlife.

As part of a different project, Brockton Kids Lead the Way, the Green Team helped build an outdoor learning space at Brockton’s George Manthala Elementary School:

1. Community garden. An abandoned community garden was restored and expanded with a rain barrel system.

2. Outdoor classroom. A classroom area was designed and installed with recycled-plastic picnic tables, a foldable white board, and a weather station.

3. Stump circle. A sitting circle designed to provide a shady learning space was built by sanding and staining repurposed stumps.

4. Story walk. Mini kiosks designed for students to create interchangeable story walks were installed along a shady pathway.

Finally, the team practiced their trail work skills at the City’s Stone Farm Conservation Area:

1. Clearing. Brush was cleared and cut back to widen the hiking trails.

2. Blazing. Old trail blazes were replaced with freshly painted, color-coded blazes to help hikers find their way.

We are proud of the Green Team crew members’ accomplishments this year and our ability to use the program to help meet the environmental needs of the community. As we look forward to 2024 and beyond, we hope to expand service-learning opportunities for teens in Brockton.