CHARLES  RIVER  PARKLANDS  UPDATE
March 2009
Archives—Table of Contents

Action Alert! Historic Parkways and Bridges at Risk

There are currently two bills under legislative consideration which include proposals to transfer the oversight of the historic bridges and parkways from DCR to the Mass Highway Department (MHD). This transfer would be serious erosion to our park system and would not save money; on the contrary, loss of management expertise and dedication would increase costs. DCR has a parks culture, while MHD has a road/highway culture. Initiatives such as the occasional closing of Memorial and Storrow Drives for car-free recreation would also be in jeopardy if these proposals were to pass.

Click here to read the CRC's recent testimony to the Transportation Committee. Please contact your district Senator or Representative as well as Transportation Co-chairs Senator Steven A. Baddour and Representative Joseph F. Wagner, Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo, asking them to remove sections of Senate #10 and House #107.

Skatepark May Receive Stimulus Funding

Please click here for a recent article in the Cambridge Chronicle about the Conservancy's proposed Charles River Skatepark. We look forward to announcing more about the project’s status soon.

“Think Swim, Think Swiss” Exhibit Opening a Success

On March 18th the Charles River Conservancy and the Consulate of Switzerland/swissnex Boston presented the exhibit opening of Think Swim, Think Swiss: Bringing Swiss Style Swimming to the Charles River at the Institute for Human Centered Design in Boston. The evening featured a reception and panel discussion that included Representative Alice Wolf, Anina Koeppli-Hitz of the Swiss Consulate, Conrad Crawford of the DCR, William Walsh-Rogalski of the EPA, and Conservancy president Renata von Tscharner.

We encourage you to visit the exhibit which is on display at 200 Portland Street and free for viewing until April 23rd. The exhibit showcases the Swimmable Charles Initiative alongside examples of swimming structures from urban rivers in Switzerland.

10th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup

On April 25th the Charles River Conservancy will co-host the 10th annual Charles River Cleanup. Last year over 2,500 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to clean the banks of the river, removing an astonishing total of over 40 tons of garbage. The Conservancy partners with the DCR, Charles River Watershed Association, City of Newton, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Esplanade Association, Senator Steven Tolman’s office, and the Trustees of Reservations to make this event happen. If interested in volunteering, please contact Evan Moss at edm@thecharles.org.

Conservancy president featured in Boston Athenaeum Exhibit

Peter Vanderwarker’s Pantheon: Minds and Matter in Boston , which runs through May 2nd, 2009, features photographic portraits of citizens that “reflect and reinvent the landscape of this city—both the intellectual landscape and the physical landscape.” The photograph shows von Tscharner as civic entrepreneur and windsurf apprentice,” swimming in the Charles. To view, click here.

Book Your Corporate Volunteer Event

We are booking groups well into July, so now is the time to schedule your corporate volunteer event with the CRC! This is a great way for your company to enjoy healthy physical activity while giving back to the community. Please contact Evan Moss at edm@thecharles.org or call 617-300-8171.

March/April Parklands Show Schedule

To view our previous shows on YouTube, please click here.

March 23

Pallavi Mande of the Charles River Watershed Association discusses the Blue Cities initiative with Renata von Tscharner.

March 30th

Dr. Eli Newberger speaks about river music with host Renata von Tscharner.  He may even bring his tuba!

March 25th

Bruce Smith of Community Rowing with Renata von Tscharner.

April 8th

Chris Swain discusses his clean water campaign, swimming the length of the Charles, and his upcoming 1,000 mile swim down the coast to Washington, D.C. Hosted by Renata von Tscharner.

April 22nd

William Clendaniel speaks with Renata von Tscharner about the history of a storied institution on the banks of Charles: the Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Easy to Donate

You can give easily and securely online or send a check to the CRC at Four Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Thank you. We translate your support into more attractive, active and accessible Parklands.

The Charles River Conservancy takes as its mission the renewal and stewardship of the Charles River Parklands and their surroundings, particularly parks, parkways and bridges. The Conservancy engages in numerous Parklands restoration and improvement initiatives, including access and safety, education and outreach, and planning and maintenance programs, and relies heavily on individual contributions. To support the Charles River Conservancy, click here. Thank you!

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