CORONAVIRUS UPDATE FROM THE TRUSTEES
Visiting and Access to Open Properties
All Trustees properties are once again open to the public. These include our most popular properties which have reopened their outdoor spaces on a controlled basis to provide more access to nature during the COVID-19 pandemic.
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Castle Hill in Ipswich, Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, and World’s End in Hingham are open with a required timed or daily parking pass that will limit overcrowding and keep both visitors and staff safe by staying aligned with the state’s social distancing guidelines. Members can access these properties for free with a timed entry or daily parking pass.
Timed and daily parking passes for all visitors, including Members, must be reserved online ahead of time for these properties. Visitors without these passes will not be allowed to enter. In keeping with the Governor’s most recent order, all visitors above the age of two are required to bring and wear a face covering.
Crane Beach in Ipswich is also open with timed parking passes which at this time are encouraged but not required. Permit holders can access Crane Beach for free with their permit and a daily parking pass. Members can reserve discounted timed entry parking passes according to the pass release schedule.
We know how important it is to get outside, get exercise, and connect with nature in challenging times, and we will continue to work on expanding access to our special places while balancing the need to flatten the curve and slow the spread of this serious virus.
Please check back for regularly for announcements on newly opened properties. FAQs for Timed Entry and Daily Parking Pass
FAQs for Timed Entry and Daily Parking Pass
Closed Properties and Cancellations
All Trustees sites are open at this point with social distancing guidelines, including wearing a face covering at all times, in effect.
Programs and Events
During this time of COVID, The Trustees has been conservative with our engagement efforts because ensuring the safety of our staff and visitors is our top priority. Following the Governor’s recent roll-back, we have reviewed all our upcoming programs and events to ensure we align with the state’s regulations. Here are the many steps we have taken and ask our visitors to take at our events to minimize contact and ensure proper social distancing to remain compliant with state regulations.
COVID safety protocols
- All events are outdoors with greatly reduced capacity (beyond what is recommended) to ensure social distancing
- We have implemented timed ticketing allowing us to stagger and disperse groups as they arrive and exit
- Masks are required at all times while on Trustees’ property (for ages 2+)
- Guests are asked to remain at least six feet from people in other parties
- We utilize one-way pathways to avoid added interaction with other participants
- If anyone is feeling unwell or experiencing any symptoms, we ask that they do not attend
Farm Stores and CSA Shares
As of June 9, all Trustees farms are open to visitors with social distancing guidelines in effect. The barnyards will be closed until further notice, in keeping with the Governor’s orders. As an essential operation, agricultural work continues as it has throughout the pandemic, to provide locally-sourced food and provide for the caring and feeding of livestock.
For CSA shareholders, The Trustees will be offering pre-packaged boxed shares and curbside pickup this season. In addition, CSA shareholders can purchase additional locally-sourced food via the new online farm stores. Those who place an order online will be able to pick up the food products during their CSA pickup window.
The online farm store is open to everyone with online ordering and curbside pick up, for more information and to place your order, click here.
Safety When Visiting Properties
When enjoying the open properties, The Trustees asks that visitors follow these social distancing guidelines for the health and safety of all, and to help keep properties open in these challenging times:
- Wear a face covering at all times if over the age of two unless a medical reason prevents you from doing so safely;
- Stay at least six feet from other visitors, including stepping aside on the trail to let others pass;
- Please check each property for specific restrictions concerning dogs and view the complete dog policy here;
- If a parking area is full, please come back at a less busy time.
The Trustees continues to ask those who do visit these sites that are open at this time to practice safe social distancing by adhering to these principles, described in the following videos.
Virtual Events to do at Home
As this situation continues to evolve, The Trustees is monitoring all guidance and recommended best practices to protect visitors, staff, and our special places. This is a difficult time, as individuals, families, schools, and businesses all navigate these uncharted waters together. With this in mind, we have created online content and virtual programs for you to enjoy from the safety of your home, and we will continue to add to this resource in the coming days.
Membership at The Trustees
Thank you, as always, for your support of The Trustees.
We welcome gifts to our Annual Appeal at thetrustees.org/donate.
Not yet a Member? Please join us at thetrustees.org/join.
Due to restrictions related to the ongoing pandemic, Membership staff is only able to be in the office on a very limited basis. This means we are experiencing significant delays in processing Membership renewals that were mailed to our office on or after March 25, but we are processing online renewals. If you have recently sent in your renewal, rest assured that your reply form and remittance will be kept in a secure location until we are able to attend to them.
