CHARLES  RIVER  PARKLANDS  UPDATE
June 2003
Archives—Table of Contents

Advocacy

On June 20th, the Massachusetts legislature enacted the Conference Committee report of the state fiscal year 2004 budget. The Governor has just a few more days to review it and submit his veto message. Here are some excerpts relevant to the Parklands:

The Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) will be maintained and include the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which consolidates the former Metropolitan District Commission and Department of Environmental Management. The Department will be under the control of a 13 member Stewardship Council. The Department includes: Division of Urban Parks and Recreation (made up of former MDC parks, reservations, recreational facilities, and parkways).

For more information visit The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Conference Report.

Conservancy Volunteers

This summer, Conservancy Volunteers has several opportunities for you to help renew the parklands while enjoying the summer sun. From brush cutting to painting to helping survey the Dr. Paul Dudley White Pathway, there are many great new ways to get involved! For upcoming dates and details visit the Charles River Conservancy Calendar or Conservancy Volunteers page.

Program Spotlight

Skatepark
This month, great progress was made with regards to Boston's future world-class skatepark. On June 5th, over 40 local athletes met at the Boston Public Library to learn about the project and give suggestions. Wonderful ideas and designs came out of that meeting—and with the recent pledges of $30,000 to cover design costs, official park plans will soon be in the works. To read more about the June 5th meeting, please visit Young Athletes Come Together to Help Design Boston's Future Skatepark. To learn more about the skatepark project in general, click here. To give us feedback about the skatepark planning process or details, email crc@thecharles.org.

Awards for Inventing the Charles River
At the 46th Annual New England Book Show held on March 11th, 2003, Inventing the Charles River, by Karl Haglund and published by MIT Press in collaboration with the Charles River Conservancy, received several awards. Inventing the Charles River was awarded Best of Show, Best Book Design, Best Manufacturing and was also named Best of Category for General Trade, Illustrated Books.

Calendar

Now that summer is finally here, there are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy the parklands! From volunteer events to theatre performances, free concerts and Conservancy-sponsored kayak excursions, there are many exciting activities to get involved with! Visit the Charles River Conservancy's Calendar for more events and details.

Picture of the Month

At the June 5th public skatepark meeting, participants had the opportunity to design their own version of Boston's future skatepark. 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, or want to give feedback about the skatepark planning, email crc@thecharles.org.

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

CRC Membership

Thank you to all of you who have already sent in your membership dues! In case it has slipped your attention, please do it today. Your financial support is crucial to our work! You can join by check, credit card or on line. Please send checks to the Charles River Conservancy (see address at left).

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!

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.

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, send an email to majordomo@thecharles.org with the words "unsubscribe members" in the message body text, or email crc@thecharles.org with your request.

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!