This Saturday, Aug. 3, community members are invited to DCR Neponset II Park at the corner of Granite Ave and Hill Top Street to participate in free family fun at the 2024 Neponset Day.

The annual celebration of the Neponset River, its parks and wildlife will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. 

“This is an annual family fun event that we do where we invite the public to join us along the river in Dorchester,” said Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA) program director Andres Ripley. “It’s a great opportunity to connect with the community and bring people out along the river and the greenway.”

Last year more than 700 people showed up to the event. Next weekend, Ripley and his team hope to see even more. “During the event, we usually have free kayak rentals, we have food trucks, yard games, music and performers,” said Ripley, “as well as community groups sharing the work they do across the watershed.”

This year NepRWA has teamed up with Waypoint Adventure, an organization that challenges people with disabilities to discover their purpose, talents, and strengths through adventure. 

To make Neponset Day more inclusive, Waypoint Adventure will be providing a few adaptive kayaks so attendees of different abilities can enjoy the river. “We want people to feel welcome along the Neponset River and feel like they can use the space whenever they want to,” said Ripley. 

The event, sponsored by ENE Systems, Paddle Boston, Public Lands, and Synergy/Neponset Landing will also include environmental and science exhibits along with the chance to cool down on the spray deck.

Noted Ripley: “The reason we put this event on is because we want to strengthen community relationships not just to the Watershed Association but also to the river itself. Hopefully, they’ll come back after the event and use that space with their family and friends.”

For more information on parking and public transportation visit Neponset.org.