This story is the first in an ongoing 'Visit Our State Parks' series, which explores the important work of AFSCME members at Department of Conservation and Recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

CHICOPEE, Mass. – Walking into the office at Chicopee State Park, the forest cabin smell and exposed wood framing instantly puts you in touch with nature.

The office, which serves as the hub of sophisticated daily park operations, is just a taste of what surrounds it. A step outside the door puts a visitor in the midst of hundreds of acres of pristine forest and lake shorelines that are enjoyed by tens of thousands of residents and tourists every year.

Access to this great natural resource would not be possible without the skills, experience and hard work of a relatively small crew of AFSCME Council 93 members in Local 2948 who work for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

AFSCME members John E. Lozada and Steve Hubbard at Chicopee State Park.
(Zac Bears/AFSCME Council 93)

For just an $8 daily parking fee, Massachusetts residents and tourists can access beaches, fishing, grilling, hiking, boating, mountain biking, picnicking, swimming and even cross-country skiing right in Chicopee, one of the largest cities in Western Massachusetts. For those who work up an appetite from all the activities, there's plenty of great spots for a barbecue and picnic too.

"It's a great opportunity to get outdoors. Where else can you bring your family for $8 for a whole day and enjoy the outdoors?" asked Steve Hubbard, an AFSCME member and Vice President of Local 2948. "Six Flags is $50 per person."

Hubbard, a DCR employee for 36 years and the Field Operations Team Leader for the area, is responsible for managing Chicopee State Park, three boat ramps on the Chicopee and Connecticut Rivers, three public pools, Robinson State Park in Agawam and Hampton Ponds State Park in Westfield.

Between the facilities, Hubbard works with six full-time year-round staff, 40 summer staffers in the parks and another 45 seasonal staff and lifeguards at the city pools.

It may not be apparent to everyone who visits the park, but a massive amount of well-coordinated, behind-the-scenes work ensures that parks open on time, stay open and provide a welcoming environment to the families who visit them.

"You have to get the buildings ready, make sure the water systems are running, perform regular beach inspections to ensure public safety and put out buoy lines for swimming," Hubbard said. "And that's all before you get to our day-to-day tasks, like cleaning up trash, maintaining bathrooms and working with the park visitors."

Hubbard says over 225,000 people visit the nearly 4,000 acres of parkland at these three locations every year. Upwards of 2,000 people can show up at Chicopee State Park on a busy summer Saturday. Most of the park visitors come from the nearby cities of Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee, giving people a chance to get out of the city.

Beachfront at Chicopee State Park. (Zac Bears/AFSCME Council 93)

Amazingly, these great locations represent only three of the 39 state parks and reservations in Western Massachusetts alone.

"From hiking at Mt. Greylock and swimming at Chicopee to hiking in the Berkshires and driving down to Cape Cod, we have so much to offer residents of Massachusetts," Hubbard said.

AFSCME members in Local 2948 aren't just responsible for making sure people have a good time. They have an important public safety role as well. They maintain the high-hazard dam that is a part of the park's watershed. Park workers have to keep an eye on the water level during storms because too much water could break the dam, which would destroy the water supply line for Chicopee and flood a major section of Interstate 90 (the Mass Turnpike).

"Public service is a great career, and I like to see people enjoying and respecting the DCR facilities," Hubbard said. "Helping people out is a great bonus as well. We have youth groups who do nature's classroom activities. It's great to make kids aware of the different aspects of nature."

Steve Raina, AFSCME member and DCR recreation facilities supervisor.
(Zac Bears/AFSCME Council 93)

Hubbard reminds every visitor to any state park that it's important to pick up your trash and keep the park clean.

"It's your park," he said. "Take pictures and only leave footprints."

"We're an important aspect of society for the citizens of Massachusetts," Hubbard explained. "We provide such a significant service."

To find a Massachusetts State Park near you, click here.

Check your inbox and Council 93's website for more stories on the AFSCME members who make our state parks happen in July and August.