Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Piping Plovers can be found all over the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1942 to provide feeding, resting, and nesting habitat for migratory birds. The refuge occupies 4,662 acres on the southern two-thirds of Plum Island, a barrier island on the Northeast coast of Massachusetts, and is administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, a federal agency. Parker River is one of over 540 Refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands dedicated to "wildlife first."

The beach closes on April 1, and reopens in mid-summer due to the needs of the piping-plover, a nationally recognized threatened species of sea birds.

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is border on it's southern tip by the Sandy Point State Reservation, and you will find the Joppa Flats Education Center at its entrance.

Location

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
6 Plum Island Turnpike Plum Island
Newburyport, MA
01950

Phone: 978.465.5753

Coordinates: 42° 47' 54.0996" N, 70° 50' 56.076" W

Upcoming Events at This Location

Sat 06.03.2023 10:00 am

Location

Adirondack Leadership Program at Gordon College’s La Vida Center

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance that occurs on the last Monday of May in the United States. Photo ©2023 Bill O'Connor
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance that occurs on the last Monday of May in the United States
12:01 am to 11:59 pm

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Take a self guided tour at Maudslay State Park during the spring bloom season! Maudslay’s laurels have covered the banks of the Merrimack River for centuries. From 1849 to 1870, Mr. and Mrs.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Amesbury Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies

Memorial Day parade and ceremonies in Amesbury Massachusetts. Photo: ©2023 Bill O'Connor
At 7:30 AM at Alliance Park, veterans will gather to toss a wreath into the Merrimack River in honor of all fallen Marines and Sailors.
7:30 am to 11:00 am

Boxford Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day parades, ceremonies and events in Essex Massachusetts.
The Boxford Memorial Day ceremonies will begin at Harmony Cemetary and finish up at the James L. Melvin Green. The schedule is as follows:
7:30 am

Manchester Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day parades, ceremonies and events in Manchester by the Sea in Massachusetts
In Manchester, legion members and parade participants will assemble Monday at 8:30 a.m. at the Amaral-Bailey Post 113 for a brief seaside service. Wreaths and flowers will be dropped into the harbor in remembrance of those lost at sea.
8:30 am

Rockport Memorial Day Parade

Rockport Massachusetts Memorial Day.  Photo: Tina Ketchopolos
Memorial Day starts with a small ceremony at American Legion Lot at 8:45 Locust Grove Cemetery Lanesville. The parade leaves at 10:00am sharp from American Legion Hall Beach st. to Beech Grove cemetery, the parade will reform and proceed down Pleasant Street to Mount Pleasant St.
8:45 am

Middleton Memorial Day Ceremony

2023 Memorial Day Events in Middleton Massachusetts
Middleton's Memorial Day will take place on the lawn of the Flint Public Library featuring speaker Kevin Welch, USMC and hosted by the Augustus P. Gardner Legion Post 227, the Middleton Patriotic Observances Committee and the Town of Middleton. Please contact Kevin Welch at 978.880.0361 with...
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Gloucester Memorial Day Service

Memorial Day Events in Gloucester Massachusetts.  Cape Ann Veterans Sevices
Cape Ann Veteran Services host memorial day services at the Gloucester High School Auditorium starting at 9am.
9:00 am to 11:00 am

Topsfield Memorial Day Parade

Please join us as we honor those who lost their lives while protecting and serving their nation. The parade will start at 9am behind Proctor School and it will go down Main Street to Veterans Memorial Green where there will be a short ceremony in front of the monument.
9:00 am

Danvers Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day in Danvers MA. Photo: All Saints Episcopal Church of the North Shore
The Danvers Memorial Day parade begins at Town Hall at 9 a.m. sharp, and will follow the traditional route of previous years - down Sylvan Street, through downtown and back to Town Hall. Placement of wreaths will be at the Porter Cemetery on High Street, Lane Parkway, and the Memorial Flag Pole in...
9:00 am to 11:00 am

Memorial Day Open House: Museum of Fine Arts - Boston

Museum of Fine Arts Open House free admission event for north shore families
The Museum of Fine Arts will honor Memorial Day with an Open House and will waive all admission fees. Visitors can enjoy complimentary admission to the MFA's galleries, family activities and performances. This year, the MFA offers free admission - including access to the special exhibition “Hokusai...
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Salem Memorial Day Parade

Salem Massachusetts Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade.
The Salem MA Memorial Day Parade Schedule is as follows:
10:00 am to 1:30 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Newburyport Memorial Day Ceremonies

Newburyport celebrates Memorial Day with a parade, a memorial service at city hall and waterfront ceremony for fallen Coastgaurdsmen.
Newburyport celebrates Memorial Day with a parade, a memorial service at city hall and waterfront ceremony for fallen Coastgaurdsmen. Marchers in the parade are asked to assemble at the CVS on pond Street at 10:15am.  The parade will then head to City Hall for a ceremony at 11am.
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Ipswich Memorial Day Parade

2011 Ipswich Massachusetts Memorial Day ceremonies. Photo: Nancy Gallant
The Veterans Posts of Ipswich will host a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 29, 2023 in honor of Memorial Day. This event is in lieu of the traditional parade as our members are increasingly unable to participate due to age and infirmity.
10:30 am

Rowley Memorial Day Parade

The Rowley Town Cannon - "Old Nancy".  Photo: Rowley Fire Department
The Rowley Board of Selectmen and VFW Post 5707 will host a ceremony observing Memorial Day at Town Common in Rowley Massaschusetts. There will be a speaker and a flag raising ceremony, and a singing of the national anthem on the Town Common.
11:00 am

Essex Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day parades, ceremonies and events in Essex in Massachusetts. Photo ©2023 Bill O'Connor
Head down to Shepard Memorial Park on Monday morning, May 29th at 11am (rain or shine) for the Essex Memorial Day service. Tribute will be paid to those who gave their lives in military service to their country. You may even learn something “new” about Essex!
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Peabody Memorial Day Parade & Services

Peabody Massachusetts Memorial Day Ceremonies
Peabody Celebrates Memorial Day by remembering fallen veterans with services, a parade and a ceremony at the Peabody City Hall. The parade begins at the intersection of Washington Street and Allens Lane at 11 a.m.
11:00 am

Tuesday, May 30

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Take a self guided tour at Maudslay State Park during the spring bloom season! Maudslay’s laurels have covered the banks of the Merrimack River for centuries. From 1849 to 1870, Mr. and Mrs.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Tuesday, May 30

Butterfly Detectives at Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Kids will learn about monarch butterflies at the Trustees of Reservations' Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
To encourage outdoor play and exploration of the great outdoors, this nature-based toddler playgroup will combine themed guided play with opportunities for free time for children and their caregivers to peek under rocks, inspect tree bark for hiding bugs and explore the gardens.
9:30 am to 10:30 am

Tuesday, May 30

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

Bring your kids to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts during April Vacation
In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday, May 30

Tweens and Teens Dungeons and Dragons

Dungeons and Dragons at Manchester Massachusetts Public Library
Led by our spirited visionary dungeonmaster, Asa B., this game will challenge you to use every wit in your wizardly (or elfin. Or trollish) bag of tricks. See you there! Join any time, just please be sure to register before you come. 
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Wednesday, May 31

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Take a self guided tour at Maudslay State Park during the spring bloom season! Maudslay’s laurels have covered the banks of the Merrimack River for centuries. From 1849 to 1870, Mr. and Mrs.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wednesday, May 31

Arts & Crafts for Little Ones with Colleen Apostolos

Art Classes for children with Colleen Apostolos
Certified Montessori teacher, artist and local mother, Colleen Apostolos-Marsh will guide your young artist in an exploration of color, shape, and texture. Using a variety of media, your child will be free to express their in a beautiful space while socializing and engaging in cooperative play....
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Wednesday, May 31

STEAM Storytime at Amesbury Library

S.T.E.A.M. storytime at Amesbury Public Library focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics
Join Amesbury Public Library for an interactive storytime outdoors with stories, songs, actions, and fun! We'll end with stations around for kids and adults to explore. Storytimes are great ways to build literacy skills and create learning experiences as well as a great social event. Younger...
3:30 pm to 4:15 pm

Wednesday, May 31

Cow Connection at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for Cow Connection in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come and meet, cuddle, brush, scratch, talk, and sit with our hand-raised cows at Appleton Farms! The mild heart rate and warm body temperature of the cows induces a slowing of our own heart rate, as well as the release of Oxytocin, our social bonding hormone. Visit our scenic and historic dairy...
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm