Healey-Driscoll Administration announces nearly $190,000 in grants to support inclusive and accessible outdoor recreation

Malden projects among those receiving grants

On Dec. 23, 2025, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced nearly $190,000 in grants to support equitable access to outdoor recreation events through the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR). Nineteen organizations and municipalities have been awarded Inclusive and Accessible Event grants to improve ease of access to outdoor recreational activities for low-income residents, communities of color, and people living with disabilities.

“Outdoor recreation should be for everyone—regardless of age, ability, or access. Nature is a wonderful place where people can come together, whether they’re seasoned adventurers or just starting out,” said MOOR Director Paul Jahnige. “By investing in community events and programs, we’re removing barriers that keep people from enjoying the outdoors and discovering new experiences. These grants help us create opportunities for families and friends to share joyful moments in nature, fostering connections that boost our mental, physical, and social well-being.”

Established in December 2023, MOOR collaborates with agencies and private partners to promote activities across the state: hunting, fishing, horseback riding, paddling, swimming and more. Outdoor recreation is vital to Massachusetts, contributing $13.2 billion to the economy, creating over 102,000 jobs and boosting tourism.

Two Malden proposed projects were among the grantees that were awarded funding through MOOR’s Inclusive and Accessible Outdoor Recreation Events Grant Program:

• Outdoor Recreation as Medicine was awarded $20,000. This program is owned by the City of Malden, but it will be operated by First Seed Sown. This program will create the following: four four-week outdoor recreation programs for people with disabilities, an anonymous online mental health outcome assessment, an advertising campaign to support program sign-ups, and a pipeline of potential participants from local community health centers.

The four programs are: outdoor art, birding, hiking and a multi-sport program (hiking, rock climbing, paddling) for people with mobility issues. The maximum capacity for this program is 48 participants; the participants will select which four-week program to sign up for. The programs will meet once per week. All necessary equipment, materials and staff are provided at no cost to participants, with all locations being accessible via public transportation and MBTA’s The Ride.

• The Great Malden Outdoors Community Programs (TMGO) was awarded $9,850. TMGO is in year three of providing no-cost and low-cost outdoor recreation programming within the Environmental Justice and Gateway City of Malden. This campaign consists of four parts: awareness, a self-service outdoor recreation guide, programming and youth development. For this year, TGMO is looking to fund three outdoor recreation programs: a middle school rock climbing program, an outdoor rock climbing community open house and a birding tour series.

Each program will be offered at public transit accessible locations in and around Malden through the Malden Recreation Department’s website. Two of these programs (middle school rock climbing and birding tours) will be offered at just $5 to encourage attendance, but for anyone finding that any amount is a hardship, the classes will be free if requested. The community climbing open house will be free.