Event and Program List
Choose a Event or Program Type
Seasonal Events
Learn to Ride a Bike
Bike to the Sea is back with the Learn to Ride a Bike program for both kids and adults in July and August. Classes will be $5 held at the Linden STEAM Academy and include a bike for the class if you need one. Thanks to the Adelaide Breed Bayrd Foundation for supporting this program for year number three!
Outdoor Art Tour of Malden
Curious about the murals and painted switchboxes you see around Malden Center? Wonder who created them and what stories they tell? Join Creative Malden for a $5 guided walking tour through Malden’s growing public art collection. Discover colorful murals, creatively painted utility boxes, and hidden artistic gems while learning about the artists and inspiration behind the work. Two dates available 6/16 and 6/20.
Birding Tours
With Nature Man Mike in and around Malden, select a date below for more details. No Birding experience required and loaner binoculars available. Tours are just $5 thanks to the Mass Office of Outdoor Recreation
FREE Outdoor Climbs
Rock Spot is back with two FREE community rock climbing sessions at Waitts Mount thanks to funding from the Mass Office of Outdoor Recreation. Sessions are on June 14th (2-5pm) and June 21st at (10am-12pm). No experience or equipment required. Bring your kids, adults, and live the dream of scaling “The Mount.”
$20 8-Week Rock Climbing Program
Join Rock Spot Malden for their annual Middle School Student Indoor to Outdoor rock climbing program. This typically costs over $200 but thanks to funding from the MA Office of Outdoor Recreation it’s just $20
Outdoor Climbing Class
If you've ever wanted to give outdoor climbing a try, then this is the program for you! Rock Spot staff will provide all the necessary equipment and take care of anchoring the rope at the top of the cliff. Recommended for all ages and abilities regardless of climbing experience. Classes are 10am to 1pm at Waitts Mount on multiple dates below.
Sport Climbing 202 Class
Sport Climbing 202 reviews the 201 class material in an outdoor environment. Participants will be "mock leading" with a top rope backup while they practice. Expect to be tested on multiple anchor situations at the top of the climbing route under the direct supervision of the instructor. Classes are 2pm to 6pm at Waitts Mount on multiple dates below.
FREE Nature & Science Walks
Join Earthwise Aware on several biodiversity and climate walks and nature conservation participatory science events in the Middlesex Fells Reservation all Spring and Fall.
FREE Guided Hikes
Join the Friends of the Fells on several family friendly hikes this Spring learning about local flora and fauna leaving from DCR Gate #55 in Malden on 4/26, 5/2, and 6/20
FREE Adaptive Birding Tour and Resources Fair
Join the Malden Disability Commission and Molina Healthcare for our second annual event for Disability Pride Month. Birding Guide Nature Man Mike is leading a birding tour with mobility equipment and volunteer support from Waypoint Adventure. The Boston Birding Festival will be offering an additional stationary birding event at the Rumney Marsh. This event is FREE thanks to funding from: Molina Healthcare, the Malden Disability Commission, and the Mass Office of Outdoor Recreation.
Arts in the Parks
Join artist Ayelet Katz for this three part series of “en plein air” art. Bring your choice of watercolor or sketching materials and she’ll teach you how to use a variety of art mediums while creating art on location. Classes take place at different Malden parks on Sunday mornings.
All Year Events
FREE Run Club
Join the Run Club of Malden with runs on Wednesdays at 6pm from Faces Brewery and Saturdays at 8am from Bikeeny Cafe.
FREE Run Club
Join The Bridge Running Club for weekly run and walk outings all year long, Tuesdays at 6:30pm at 23 Commercial St in Malden.
The Great Malden Outdoors Rx Program
(Registration Closed)
The following four week programs are a great fit for: people with a mental health or serious stress management need, or people with a physical, intellectual, sensory, or developmental disability where adaptive equipment and staff would help them access these programs.
All locations for programming are accessible via public transportation in and around the city of Malden.
All participants will be asked to fill out a quick and anonymous mental health survey: before, during, and at the end of the four weeks of programming. The survey will be managed by mental health professionals at And Still We Rise.
These programs are limited to groups of 12 participants and we ask that anyone signing up review the schedule to ensure they are available to attend all four weeks of the program. We require that registrants are at least 18 years old to participate.
No insurance information, proof of a diagnosis, or outdoor recreation experience is necessary to participate in this program. Any specialized outdoor equipment, art supplies, and professional instruction will be provided.
This program is FREE to all participants thanks to funding from: Molina Healthcare and the Mass Office of Outdoor Recreation.
This program is no longer accepting registrations, sign up for our email newsletter for the final report!
Thank you to: all participants for trying something new and trusting our team.
Thank you to our community health partners: Cambridge Health Alliance, Mystic Valley Elder Services, Molina Healthcare, MUK Psychiatry, And Still We Rise for recognizing the power of outdoor recreation in healthcare.
Thank you to our program vendors: Waypoint Adventure, Sharon Santillo, Nature Man Mike, Susan Novick, and Friends of the Fells for going well beyond our typical programming needs.
Hugh thanks to: Molina Healthcare and the Mass Office of Outdoor Recreation for funding this first-of-its-kind program.
Special thanks to the City of Malden for continuing to believe and support The Great Malden Outdoors.
Active Petitions
Let’s Take Action!
The Great Malden Outdoors wants to create more safe access to outdoor spaces.
We’re working to build a list of folks who’d like to see: crosswalks, hiking crossing signs, and map kiosks on DCR properties. Our most popular trailhead into the Middlesex Fells does not have a crosswalk and sits just after a blind corner. It’s also very popular amongst student groups who take the T from Oak Grove.
To learn more, please click the link below to sign the petition.
