CHARLES  RIVER  PARKLANDS  UPDATE
April 2003
Archives—Table of Contents

Advocacy

Governor Romney's proposed unification of recreational facilities and parks management has been recommended for approval by the House Committee of the Legislature, and most likely, the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) will become part of the new Department of Parks and Recreation. For more details about this restructuring, visit Governor Romney Reorganizes MDC.

Conservancy Volunteers

This spring, the Conservancy Volunteers have several opportunities for you to help renew the parklands. Upcoming events include shoreline erosion projects, brush removal, and invasive species removal. For upcoming dates and ways for you to get involved, click here.

Membership Drive

Last week the CRC sent out its annual Spring Membership mailing—which many of you received. If you haven't had a chance to renew your membership, or you have yet to join the CRC, now is the time! You can read about how your membership helps, and join now on-line by clicking here. For those of you who have already joined or renewed your membership, Thank You! Your support is greatly appreciated!

Program Spotlight

The Charles River Conservancy's Bridges Alight celebration of the Charles River parklands and Bridges will be held from 7:00-9:00 pm on Friday, May 2nd (with a rain date of May 3rd). In addition to a spectacular lighting display by John Powell, several wonderful performers will engage and entertain the crowds. This event is free and suitable for all ages. Directions and more information can be found here.

Calendar

The next few weeks are full of fun and interesting events on or about the river, including a lecture by Inventing the Charles River author, Karl Haglund, and the Charles River Watershed Association's Run of the Charles—not to mention Bridges Alight! Visit the CRC's Calendar for details about those and other events.

This Month's Feature: History of Earth Day

Despite the rain, well over one thousand people came out for this year's 4th Annual Earth Day Charles River Clean-up on April 12th. But do you know how Earth Day started? Read the History of Earth Day as written by its Founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson.

Picture of the Month

In December of 2001, the CRC marked the winter solstice with a spectacular bridge lighting event, which has provided the basis for this year's Bridges Alight. For an idea of what the bridges looked like, visit our picture of the month. If you have a picture involving the Charles River, and would like to submit it as a candidate for a future Picture of the Month, email crc@thecharles.org.

To see previous pictures of the month, see the archives page.

If you know someone who would enjoy this newsletter, please feel free to pass it along. Interested readers can subscribe to the e-newsletter by sending an email to majordomo@thecharles.org with the words "subscribe members" in the message body text.

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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!