LYNN — Dan Small, a longtime steward of one of Lynn’s most treasured natural resources, Lynn Woods Reservation, was honored Tuesday evening as city officials, colleagues, and residents gathered to celebrate decades of service and dedication to conservation.
The ceremony recognized Small and his career as a park ranger that spanned more than a quarter-century, during which he played a central role in preserving and revitalizing Lynn Woods.
The presentation drew a wide range of local leaders and community members, underscoring what Mayor Jared Nicholson described as a “very important milestone for the city.”
Nicholson noted that while the woods exist thanks to “centuries of planning,” their current condition reflects the care and commitment of modern-day stewards.
Among them, Small stood out as a quiet but deeply influential figure.
“He is not the loudest person in the room,” Nicholson said, describing him as driven by “hard work, dedication, and really… love of nature, and of the people who benefit from being able to have access to nature.”
That dedication translated into tangible results.
Nicholson pointed to the conservation restriction placed on Lynn Woods, which was an effort that took roughly 20 years to complete, as one of the most significant achievements of Small’s career.
The restriction ensures the land will be protected in perpetuity, safeguarding it for future generations.
“When we celebrated that, one of the things that struck me was how many people who sat at this desk worked on it,” Nicholson said, referencing multiple mayoral administrations.
He added, “But there was a through line through all that. And that was the leadership of Dan.”
The mayor’s office presented an official citation recognizing Small’s “27 years of dedicated service to the City of Lynn and the preservation of Lynn Woods,” expressing “sincere congratulations and great appreciation” for his contributions.
Ward 1 Councilor Pete Meaney echoed that sentiment, noting that Small had served faithfully as a park ranger for 27 years and emphasizing the lasting impact of his work.
“Without the restriction that Dan… worked on for all those years, we would not have the Lynn Woods we have today,” Meaney said. “We are eternally grateful.”
Small spoke candidly about his experience, framing his career not as work, but as a passion.
“There’s an old adage that says, if you truly love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life,” he said. “The 27 years have passed. I didn’t work a day in my life. I love the job.”
Small also reflected on the transformation of Lynn Woods over the course of his tenure, describing its revival as “actually a miracle.”
He encouraged attendees to consider how dramatically the landscape has improved over the decades.
“If you were here 27 years ago, and you looked around, and you see what we have now and what we had then, it’s amazing,” he said.
Despite being the focus of the ceremony, Small was quick to share credit, emphasizing that the preservation of Lynn Woods was a community-wide effort: “I didn’t do it all. My hand was on the tiller, but there were thousands of people.”
“Thank you to everybody,” Small stated. “Thank you for the recognition.”
