Background of Metropolitan Park Commission
At the turn of the 20th century, almost six-mile stretch of the Charles River from Newton Lower Falls to the Boston Manufacturing Company dam in Waltham comes under the commission's control.
In 1893, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts creates the Metropolitan Park Commission (MPC) to provide regional parks for Boston and thirty-six politically independent surrounding communities. Their annual reports shared their research on the history of the land and water and suggested a plan for improvement. (1894 report)
In 1814, the creation of the Moody Street Dam backs up water and creates an appealing, "Lakes District" of coves and inlets. (Purgatory Cove, Maple Cove, Fox Island) [MAP].
Background: "It was not until after the river had ceased to be useful as a highway for the conveyance of merchandise and lumber that dams were built in the main stream itself. These dams, now eight in number, were originally constructed in accordance with the terms of an act of the General Court, by which it was sought to encourage manufacturing. With this purpose in view, the Commonwealth practically made a present to the manufacturers of so much of common property in the rivers and lakes of the State as they required for establishing of manufacturing by water power. (page 12 - 1896 MPC report)
With the existence of the American Canoe Association in 1880, canoeing interest accelerates.
As the mass-production of canoes becomes accessible, the activity's growth becomes more attractive.
The Report of the Joint Board - page 14 - "At present most of the pleasure boating takes place between Lower Falls and Waltham and between Upper Falls and Dedham."
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