Friends of the Massachusetts Park Ranger Mounted Unit

The Department of Conservation (DCR) Massachusetts Park Ranger Mounted Unit is an unmistakable presence in which the horse becomes a natural link between the public and our park system. The Park Ranger Mounted Unit functions as park stewards to educate the public about the agency's various recreational opportunities, as well as to protect natural resources for present and future generations. Mounted Park Rangers are utilized not only for park patrol in such diverse areas as the Blue Hills Reservation, Old Harbor Reservation, the Charles River Reservation, Revere Beach Reservation, and many other state parks and forests from Berkshires to the Bays throughout the Commonwealth's state park system, and is also seen at public celebrations, ceremonial events and educational programs.

The DCR's Massachusetts Park Ranger Mounted Unit was established in 1997, formerly known as the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) Park Ranger Mounted Unit and operates out of the Brian T. Broderick Stable.  The stable was built in 1899, and was dedicated in 2001 to the late MDC Director Brian T. Broderick for his many years of service to the agency and his dedication and support of the Mounted Unit.  The stable is located in the Blue Hills Reservation along Hillside Street in Milton and is open to the public for scheduled tours.

Restoration of the historic Brian T. Broderick Stable was halted in early 2017 due to state budget cuts.  One of the goals of the Friends is to ensure the return of the Mounted Unit to its original headquarters - a practical and strategically placed base of operation.  The Broderick Stable is a national treasure of the National Registry of Historic Places.  

One of two stables located in the Blue Hills, was designed by the prestigious Boston architectural firm Stickney & Austin. It was built in 1899, becoming the first building in the complex.  It is designed in the shingle style and features steeply pitched roofs with a cupola and foundation made from local granite.  The sister stable, also designed by Stickney & Austin, was built in 1909 on Randolph Avenue in Milton and is nearly identical to the Broderick Stable on Hillside Street. Both stables were built to house horses used to patrol and work the trails in the Blue Hills Reservation, which is just under 8,000 acre parkland.

The Broderick Stable is the oldest stable known to be built for the park work horses and park patrol horses.  The Friends of the Massachusetts Park Ranger Mounted is working in conjunction with the Friends of the Blue Hills, Massachusetts Audubon Society/Trailside Museum, The Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, Blue Hills Ski Area, Brookwood Farm Community Gardens, Coalition for a Better Blue Hills to partner with the DCR to complete the restoration and bring The Commonwealth's Ranger horses home!

You can help our cause by calling or writing the DCR Commissioner and your Massachusetts State Senator or State Representative today!

Your support is needed!

What We've Achieved