AABH and a VIP... Governor Patrick!

All Access Boston Harbor took 10 youth and community groups out to Peddocks Island on Thursday.  The youth had a wonderful time swimming, playing intense games of kickball and doublebounce, fishing and crabbing, and engaging in a variety of healthy outdoor activities.  However today was no ordinary AABH trip, as a special guest joined them: Governor Deval Patrick! 

Anthony, Isabelle, and Jennifer from the Jackson Mann Center for Youth and Families from Allston examine their specimens.

The Governor was on the Island for the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Peddocks Island Improvements Celebration, along with the DCR Commissioner Jack Murray, the Secretary for Energy and Environmental Affairs Maeve Callely Bartlett, the Northeast Region Director for the National Park Service Michael Cardwell, and the President and CEO of BHIA Phillip Griffiths.

Nazie from the Idil Learning Center poses before engaging in a fun game of Frisbee.

Governor Patrick spoke highly of the developments taking place on the Boston Harbor Islands, and how it “takes partnerships to make a treasure like this come to life.”  He expressed a desire to make the recreational and educational opportunities offered by the Boston Harbor Islands better known and accessible to people, as they are, in his words, “public treasures meant to be used by the public.”  Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s role in this initiative was recognized by the DCR Commissioner Jack Murray: “Save the Harbor/Save the Bay brought 482 kids out today to enjoy the Islands.”  The Governor then cut the ribbon on the newly finished Chapel, assisted by Chase, an AABH youth from Dorchester.

As it was the Governor’s birthday, Senior Marine Educator Sam presented the Governor with a fish print created by a past AABH youth, using a flounder caught in the clear clean waters of the Boston Harbor.  After thanking the Governor for his continued interest and investment in the Boston Harbor and Islands, the STH/STB staff posed for a picture with the governor, before continuing to enjoy a day of fun with Boston area youth.

The 10 groups were:

BCYF Tobin Community Center, Roxbury
Everett Boys and Girls Club
Greater Generations Greater Kids, Brockton
Idil Learning Centers, Greater Boston

Jackson Mann Center for Youth and Families, Allston
Mission Safe, Roxbury
South Boston TEAM

South Boston Boys and Girls Club

Super Teens from the Boston Center for Youth and Families

Washington Heights Youth Builders from Dorchester