Historic Lynnfield, Inc. announces the “Partridge Island Boardwalk Challenge” – a challenge to match its $500 donation to help replace a town treasure – the Partridge Island Boardwalk, which spans Lynnfield’s Reedy Meadow. Everyone is invited to take up this challenge by scanning the QR code below or sending a check payable to “Town of Lynnfield – Partridge Island Boardwalk” to the Town Administrator’s Office, Town Hall, 55 Summer St., Lynnfield, MA 01940.
The original boardwalk was installed in 1976 to commemorate America’s 200th birthday. The boardwalk and observation platform were sponsored by the Lynnfield Bicentennial Commission, chaired by Howard Bouve, and built by the Lynnfield High School Creative and Technical Arts Department, under the direction of Ivan Curtis, with generous donations of building materials from Lynnfield business owners.
Through the years, the boardwalk has seen numerous maintenance efforts by resident volunteers and local scout troops. Now, nearly 50 years later, nature has taken its toll on the wooden substructure. An updated design and replacement plan will certainly be required.
Reedy Meadow and the Partridge Island Boardwalk are cherished Lynnfield treasures. Reedy Meadow was designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1972 as a National Natural Landmarks — the largest freshwater cattail meadow in New England. It supports a rich ecosystem for numerous wildlife and plant species — a number listed with the State as having endangered or threatened status.
In 2021, Lynnfield joined the MOTUS global network of automated telemetry receiving stations to detect signals from migratory birds and even large insects. The MOTUS system identifies and tracks their migratory activities all along the eastern seaboard from Columbia South America to the Hudson Bay in Canada.
Reedy Meadow has always been a popular draw for birders and birding clubs in Massachusetts. Any new design will also incorporate a birding observation area for visitors of all ages.
