This summer, ferry to the Boston Harbor islands!

(From left to right: Myles J. Greenway, US Coast Guard; Nick Black, Trustees of Reservations; Erin Murphy, City of Boston; Dr. Rob Moir, Boston Harbor Islands Partnership; Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, City of Boston; State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz; Ed Flynn, Boston City Council President; Frederick Laskey, Dir. of Mass. Water Resources Authority; Priscilla Geigis, Mass. Dep. of Conservation and Recreation; Jack Murray, Boston Harbor Now; Conor LeBlanc, Massport; Supt. Michael Creasey, National Park Service; and State Sen. John Keenan.)

(BOSTON) - Top city and state officials, Boston Harbor advocates, and dozens of visitors and residents ceremonially kicked off the opening of summer ferry service to the Boston Harbor Islands on May 21 with a commemorative celebration of the Boston Harbor Islands’ 25th anniversary as a National Park and 50th anniversary as a State Park.

Gathering at the Boston Harbor City Cruises Ferry Center at Long Wharf North, speakers welcomed over 2000 people to board ferries—made free for the day thanks to sponsorships from the park’s ferry partner, Boston Harbor City Cruises--to visit Georges and Spectacle Islands and enjoy a fun and scenic 30-minute ferry ride along Boston’s Inner Harbor. Participants learned about the islands’ history and enjoyed self-guided activities on the sunny, 90-degree day.

Opening Day kicked off a full and rich season of summer programming designed to provide visitors with an opportunity to reconnect with nature, explore beautiful new places and historic buildings, and take in a unique view of the Boston skyline from the Islands. Between now and June 12, ferry service to the islands is available on Friday, Saturday and Sundays, switching to seven-day-a-week service on June 17.

Please click here to watch the speaking program.

Speakers at the May 21 event, listed in their order of appearance, and the time at which their remarks begin in the video linked above, included:

• Jack Murray, Boston Harbor Now Vice President for Partnerships and Operations
• State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz of the 3rd Suffolk District (@2:55)
• Boston City Council President Ed Flynn (@4:40)
• Boston City Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy (@5:40)
• Fred Laskey, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Executive Director and Boston Harbor Islands Partnership Chair (@7:33)
• Priscilla Geigis, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Deputy Commissioner (@10:16)
• National Parks of Boston Superintendent Michael Creasey (@15:40)
• Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space for the City of Boston (@19:48)