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Residents Asked to Nominate Their Favorite Massachusetts Places

Peterson says new program gives district a chance to spotlight its special places

BOSTON – Representative George N. Peterson, Jr. (R-Grafton) invites all of his constituents to nominate their favorite places in Massachusetts.

1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts is a new cultural tourism program that celebrates what is unique about our state, its communities, and its people, and also to stimulate cultural tourism. The program seeks to increase visitation to the state’s wide range of exceptional historic sites, cultural venues, and natural landscapes.

Nominations will be considered for a final list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts to be announced in May.

“There are so many special historic sites, cultural landmarks, and natural landscapes throughout my district,” says Representative Peterson. “I encourage my constituents to nominate our favorite places in Grafton.”

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has established a website to accept nominations from the public: www.Massvacation.com/1000greatplaces

All Great Places that are nominated must be open and available to the public. Only one nomination per person will be accepted.  The nomination period will close April 1, 2010. The Commission will meet later that month to draw up a final list of 1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts, which will be announced in May.

The 1,000 Great Places Commission was created by the Legislature in 2009. It is chaired by Eric Turkington of Falmouth, a former state representative and first House Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development. Other members are listed below, along with their affiliation:

Massachusetts Senate:

Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, Boston

Sen. Benjamin Downing, Pittsfield

Sen. Robert Hedlund, Weymouth

Massachusetts House of Representatives:

Rep. Susan Gifford, Wareham

Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, Pittsfield

Rep. Rosemary Sandlin, Agawam

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism/Regional Tourism Councils:

Larry Meehan, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau

Arthur Motta, Southeastern Mass. Convention & Visitors Bureau

Peter Tomyl, Mohawk Trail Association

Massachusetts Cultural Council:

Sheila Balboni, Lawrence

Ricardo Barreto, Boston