86 Miles in 48 Hours

June 18, 2025

OARS River Log | By Sarah Kwan, OARS’ Director of Communications and Development | Published June 18, 2025

Chester “Ozzy” Osborne training for his 86-mile, 48-hour paddle challenge—pushing limits to protect the rivers he loves (photo credit: Chester “Ozzy” Osborne).

On June 20–22, Chester “Ozzy” Osborne will set out on a powerful personal challenge to paddle 86 of the navigable miles of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers in just 48 hours—an endurance feat that doubles as a call to action. Inspired by OARS’ 86 Miles Club Challenge, Ozzy is using his journey to spotlight the beauty of our rivers, the barriers they face, and the community-powered restoration work that makes paddling them possible. He’s also paddling with purpose: aiming to raise $1,986 in support of the rivers. Let’s help him smash that goal. You can donate here: justgiving.com/page/chester-osborne-86-in-48

Ozzy’s route takes him through sections of river that tell a deeper story—including the Talbot Mills Dam in North Billerica, a major barrier to aquatic connectivity and a focus of OARS’ largest ongoing ecological restoration project. “When you’re on the river for 48 hours, you see the challenges,” Ozzy told The Concord Bridge. “There are dams, there are invasive species, there are places where the public can’t easily access the water.” His turnaround point, at Little Farms Road in Framingham, is also the site of an OARS initiative to improve riverside access and education with the City of Framingham and National Parks Foundation.

Ozzy’s effort is already drawing attention—The Bedford Citizen and MetroWest Daily News have both covered the story, highlighting how this community-powered adventure reflects the deep value and vulnerability of the rivers we work to protect.

You can read those articles here:

We’re cheering Ozzy on—and we hope you’ll join us in celebrating his dedication by supporting the rivers he’s paddling for.

River Log

~30%

of the SuAsCo rivers watershed is wetlands, crucial for wildlife habitat and water quality

~30%

of water samples in the SuAsCo rivers watershed contain PFAS, leading to increased monitoring and remediation by local authorities and environmental groups

~70%

of dams in the SuAsCo watershed are over a century old, requiring extensive upkeep and presenting obstacles to river restoration and fish passage

>40%

of the land within the watershed is publicly accessible, offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating, and birdwatching to the community

~15%

of the land in the SuAsCo rivers watershed is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots. This contributes to stormwater runoff and water pollution issues

>40%

of the land within the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers watershed is publicly accessible, providing endless opportunities for paddling, hiking, and wildlife exploration.

86 Miles in 48 Hours

OARS River Log | By Sarah Kwan, OARS’ Director of Communications and Development | Published June 18, 2025

Ozzy’s Paddle for our 3 Rivers