Finding Flow: River RATs’ First Season of Adventure

October 27, 2025

OARS River Log | By Sarah Kwan, OARS’ Director of Advancement | Published Oct 27, 2025

This summer marked an exciting milestone for OARS 3 Rivers as we officially launched our River Recreation Activity Teams (River RATs) program, an initiative designed to make paddling accessible, welcoming, and fun for everyone in our watershed.

Over the course of the season, OARS hosted 14 guided community paddles across the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers, in partnership with Billerica Parks and Recreation, Framingham Parks and Recreation, the Framingham Conservation Commission, Paddle Boston, the Maynard Conservation Commission, and Rent.fun.

Guided paddles like this one in Framingham brought new and returning paddlers together to connect with the SuAsCo rivers and one another.

A Season of First-Time Paddlers

From the quiet bends of the Assabet to the open stretches of the Sudbury, nearly every paddle brought new faces to the water, many of them first-time paddlers who had never experienced the SuAsCo rivers from this perspective before. Families, friends, and neighbors came together to learn basic paddling techniques, discover hidden corners of their local rivers, and connect with the natural beauty right in their own communities.

“Each paddle was full of discovery,” said Isabel Ryen, OARS 2024–25 TerraCorps Service Member and River RATs paddle leader. “People would start out a little nervous, and by the end of the trip, they were laughing, exploring, and already asking when the next one would be.”

Building Partnerships and Confidence

The River RATs program is about more than paddling; it’s about connection. Working alongside local municipalities and recreation partners helped OARS expand both community access and river stewardship. By providing trained paddle leaders, equipment, and guidance, the program removes barriers that often keep people from enjoying the water safely.

These partnerships have strengthened OARS’ ability to reach new communities, particularly in areas where access to outdoor recreation has historically been limited. And for many participants, the experience sparked a new appreciation for the rivers’ health and the importance of protecting them.

Paddling Toward the Future

The success of this first season lays the foundation for an even more robust program next year. As the River RATs network grows, OARS plans to bring more guided paddles, educational storytelling, and river stewardship opportunities to communities throughout the watershed.

Every paddle taken this summer represented more than just a recreational outing; it was a step toward a more connected, inclusive, and caring community of river stewards.

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.