CHARLES RIVER PARKLANDS
UPDATE
July 2010
Archives—Table of Contents
Active Parklands Update
Sunday Games
Sunday games
Sunday Games have begun! This past weekend the Conservancy hosted the
third Sunday Games of the summer, and once again we were blessed with
warm weather and sunny skies. Thank you to all who have participated thus
far. It has been great to see so many of you week after week!
Yoga on the Charles
As you may remember, FREE yoga lessons were added
to the weekly schedule just last week, and the addition has proved to be a very popular one.
These classes are perfect for all ages and ability, and all are welcome
to take part. Thank you to lululemon
athletica for providing yoga mats
for use during these classes!
Folk Dancing
Join us August 8th and 15th for FREE folk dancing
lessons along the bank of the Charles River. Classes will be led by Revels' teacher Andy
Taylor-Blenis. Founded in 1971, Revels focuses on building tradition through
music, dance, and drama. We hope to see you there!
WHEN
Games and Activities: Sundays 2-5pm thru September 19th
Dancing on the Charles: Sundays 3-4pm, August 8th and 15th
Yoga on the Charles: Sundays 5-6pm thru September 5th
lf you have not yet had a chance to participate in Sunday Games, we
invite you to join us Sunday afternoons for free games and activities,
including lawn toss, paddleball, volleyball, badminton...and more! All
activities are totally free of charge and take place upriver from the
Weeks Footbridge off Memorial Drive in Cambridge.
For questions or comments, contact us at sundaygames@thecharles.org
or visit
us on Facebook.
Thank you to our Sunday Games sponsors for helping us to make the Charles
River Parklands more active, attractive, and accessible to all.
| Visionary Sponsors |
Rejuvenator Sponsor |
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Swimmable Charles Initiative Update
Third Annual Charles River One Mile Swim Race
July 25th
Due to inclement weather, the Third Annual Charles River One Mile Swim
Race was postponed from its originally scheduled date of July 11th and
will now be held on July 25th. Over 150 participants
have signed up to swim. Come down to the DCR River Dock on the Esplanade (near the Hatch
Shell and Arthur Fiedler statue) to cheer on the swimmers at 8am on July
25th.
In the News
Just this past week Karen Patterson Green, CRC's Swimmable Charles Coordinator,
was interviewed as part of WBUR's fourth report of their summer series, "Looking
Out: A New View of the Boston Harbor". This most recent report, "Looking
Out: A Vision For The Future: Swimming In The Charles" focused on
the future of swimming in the Charles River. To read the article or to
listen to an audio version of the report, click
here.
For more information on the Swimmable Charles Initiative, contact
our Swimmable Charles Coordinator Karen Patterson Greene at kpg@thecharles.org.
To learn more about this initiative, visit our website.
Conservancy Volunteer Summer Update
Upcoming Volunteer Event
July 31st
On Saturday, July 31st, CRC will be holding a volunteer event with Community
Running to clear sections of pathways along the Cambridge/Watertown line.
These events are instrumental in creating safe, beautiful, and functional
public pathways - lend a hand!
This event is open to all volunteers and friends, and
we'd love to have you join us for a productive and fun day out on the
river. Please contact Logan at lcw@thecharles.org if
you're interested in signing-up or have questions about this event.
To see photos of our volunteer events and projects, visit
us on Facebook.
Advocacy Update
Bottle Bill Clears Major Hurdle
On Tuesday the legislature's Joint Committee on
Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (TUE) voted favorably on the
proposed update to the Massachusetts Bottle Bill, which would expand the nickel deposit required
on sales of carbonated soda, beer, and malt beverages to include bottled
water and sports drinks. The bill is now in the Senate. If approved, it
goes to the House. A big thank you to all who helped this effort!
Longfellow Bridge Planning Continues
The Task Force for the Longfellow Bridge restoration has started its
work to provide input into the design for the rehabilitation and restoration
of the Longfellow Bridge. Renata von Tscharner, CRC's
Founder and President, is a member, and her main concerns include the
lack of space for pedestrians and the safety for bicyclists. This bridge is part of the parklands, as
well as a major tourist attraction.
Proposed Amendments to Sign Ordinance
As the City of Cambridge is considering amendments to the sign ordinance,
the Conservancy expressed its concern about Building
Identification Signs, which could have a detrimental visual impact on
the Charles River Parklands.
Click here to download a copy of our testimony.
Ensuring the Future of Our Parklands
In order for the state owned parklands to get their share of funding,
the adjacent municipalities need to play a bigger role and become partners.
Click here to read our recent Letter to the Editor, "Green
spaces need boost of city clout".
Upcoming Community Events
Dancing Under the Stars
Thursdays thru August 19th
The Esplanade Association and World Rythms Dance & Fitness have
teamed up again to bring back free dance lessons
and performances during the summer. Learn a variety of dance styles and enjoy the outdoors with
family and friends. Activities will run Thursdays, 6-8pm in front of the
Hatch Shell. For more information, contact Justin Burke at 617-227-0365
or jburke@esplanadeassociation.org.
Anderson Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation Project
Public Meeting
July 22
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation invites you to a public
information meeting for the Anderson Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation Project,
Thursday, July 22nd, 7-8:30pm. The meeting will be held in the Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. School Auditorium, 100 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA.
For more information, contact Tracy Osimboni, MassDOT Highway Division
Project Manager, at 617-973-8074 or tracy.osimboni@state.ma.us.
Tango by Moonlight
July 24
The Tango Society of Boston's 14th season is underway, offering their
popular monthly Tango By Moonlight events on the
Weeks Bridge. Dance the
night away from May to September. Next scheduled event is set for Friday,
July 24th. Visit their website for details.
Water Chestnut Removal Project
July 24
 Water
chestnut, an invasive aquatic plant, grows
very densely, and can choke the water in shallow sections of the river
and along the shoreline.
In order to prevent water chestnuts from spreading, the plants need to
be removed before they drop their spiky seeds into the river. The
Charles River Watershed Association invites volunteers to join them in
their removal efforts, which will take place through August. For more information visit
CRWA's website.
CRC TV Shows on CCTV
 The CRC has been broadcasting live on CCTV since 2001. Tune in to Channel
9 every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Shows are
replayed at 12:30 a.m. the same day.
Recent shows featured Cambridge Mayor David Maher and Walk Boston's
Bob Sloan, who discussed the Longfellow Bridge restoration.
Click
here to visit YouTube where you can hear host Renata von Tscharner
discuss the Parklands with river advocates, legislators, and friends.
Recent shows include a conversation with the Cambridge Development Department
regarding the City's new Riverfront Plan.
Thank you for reading! We hope you enjoy spending more time
in the Parklands during the wonderful summer weather.
To support our work this summer, please give
online or send your check to:
Charles River Conservancy
Four Brattle Street
Cambridge MA 02138
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Charles River Conservancy
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