Paddle Night a Hit as People Flock to Float on the Creek - Chelsea Massachusetts

Paddling on Chelsea Creek was once considered an uncommon and potentially risky venture for local residents.

Over time, as participation grew, the activity transformed into something more widely accepted and genuinely enjoyable.

Last Thursday evening on June 27, this shift became evident when GreenRoots organized their annual Paddle Night at the Marginal Street pier. The event drew crowds of community members who queued to experience paddling a kayak or canoe through the Creek.

AHOY! Kimberly Vasquez holds on tight to the sides of the canoe while Jose Alvarez paddles to the dock on the Chelsea Creek last Thursday night, June 27 during the GreenRoots first Paddle Night of the season.

Numerous participants gathered at the Marginal Street pier, eagerly awaiting their turn to paddle a canoe or kayak. The Mystic/Tobin Bridge provided a striking backdrop for those out on the water.

According to GreenRoots Director Roseann Bongiovanni, this marked the first of multiple Paddle Nights scheduled for Chelsea and East Boston this year. The initiative aims to establish paddling as a mainstream pursuit—something virtually unthinkable a decade earlier. “We are having these activities three times
this summer in Chelsea and three times in East Boston,” she said. “We’re trying
to get as many people out on the water as possible…The hope is that we’re
attracting people from the neighborhood so they can come down. Many of them may
have seen the water here for a long time, but didn’t know they could come on
the water for recreation. Getting them out here on a beautiful Thursday evening
give them hope they can do it more frequently.”

The evening’s primary constraint proved to be insufficient watercraft. The overwhelming turnout of families and young people exceeded GreenRoots’ current boat capacity.

For Jose Alvarado, the experience held special significance as his first boat outing on Chelsea Creek.

“I’ve seen it, but this was my first time
ever going out there,” he said. “I will definitely do it again.”

Upcoming Chelsea Paddle Nights will take place on Thursdays, July 25 and Aug. 15, commencing at 5 p.m.

Saturday kayaking sessions in East Boston at 300 Condor St. are scheduled for July 13 and Aug. 31, starting at 10 a.m.

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AHOY! During the GreenRoots Paddle Night on June 27, Kimberly Vasquez grips the canoe as Jose Alvarez paddles toward the dock on Chelsea Creek. The Marginal Street pier saw numerous residents queuing for their turn with a canoe or kayak. Those venturing out encountered the dramatic frame of the Mystic/Tobin Bridge.

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Paul Pivaral, Akanni Hernandez, Edgar Pivaral and Ann Moscoso prepared to paddle on the Creek.

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John Walkey of GreenRoots maintained a watchful presence in his kayak, ensuring participant safety.

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David and Ivette Martinez navigated the Creek waters.

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Kenya B. and Sydney B. took the two-person kayak to find calm waters near the pier.

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Beyond the water, the pier hosted recreational activities. Catherine Paviola worked on her dribbling skills ahead of the Women’s World Cup matches from the previous week.

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Karalyn and Eduardo Montes engaged in Connect Four on the pier.

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Members of the GreenRoots ECOYouth team included Bryan Hernandez, Skakaya Moore-Perkins, and Jary Perez.

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Stacking it up! Pamela Pineda carefully arranged her blocks into a tall tower.

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The GreenRoots team gathered on the pier at Paddle Night: Maria Belen Power, Giselle Barahona, Noemy Rodriguez, Sarah Levy, Roseann Bongiovanni, and John Walkey.