Ipswich River Board member and Paddle-a-thon Paddle Raiser Ken MacNulty is biking along the river, starting with the source in Burlington.
As my part for this year’s virtual Paddle-a-thon I decided to “ride the river” (by bike) as a way to remind residents in our watershed that before the Ipswich River gets to its more picturesque and appreciated stretches through “lower river towns” like Topsfield and Ipswich, it must first past through a number of “upriver towns” where it is less visible and, perhaps even a bit less impressive. However, if the quality and quantity of the river is not sustained at these upper regions – through towns like Wilmington and North Reading – it’ll never successfully make it to the lower regions. So, I ride the river from source to ocean outlet to make the connection to users in the watershed that what happens in those broad, meandering up river channels such as when as the river passes under Route 93 and through nearby industrial parks, has significant implications for the quality and quantity of the water that eventually emerges downstream to be enjoyed and admired in those lower river towns.
Further, as a resident of Lynnfield, I have been reminded by local events over the past few years of how critical the Ipswich River is to our district water supply. I’ve also found that many Lynnfield residents have little to no understanding of the importance of the river’s health is to the quality and quantity of water in their community. Perhaps it’s simply because the Ipswich River runs close to town, but not through it. However, as water becomes an increasingly significant concern in our town, it is important that Lynnfield residents better understand and appreciate the importance of the Ipswich River to their community’s future.
Please support the health of the Ipswich River with your donation to our 2020 Paddle-a-thon. Thank you.