CHARLES  RIVER  PARKLANDS  UPDATE
October 2005
Archives—Table of Contents

Water Quality Brochure

The Conservancy, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, has produced a booklet discussing the water quality of the Charles River and what individuals can do to help with improvements. The brochure discusses the history of the Charles River, sources of river pollution, ecology of the Charles River, as well as suggestions for individual action.

This booklet is NOW AVAILABLE both online and in print. For an electronic copy of the brochure please click here. To order printed copies, contact Kristen Parkinson at klp@thecharles.org or by calling the number in the column to the left.

The Water Quality Quiz is COMING SOON to our website!

Skatepark Update

Recently $75,000 of state funding for the Charles River Skatepark was recommended by the Massachusetts House of Representatives as an amendment to the Supplemental Capital Budget. The State Senate will soon take up the issue.

If you want to learn more about the skatepark project, purchasing a custom Charles River Skatepark board, or read recent articles about the skatepark, click on: Charles River Skatepark.

Swimming in the Charles

On Monday, November 7th at 1:00 PM there will be a hearing regarding Bill H-1359 proposed by State Representative Alice Wolf. This bill calls for the creation of a commission to study the Charles River with the express goal of public swimming. Community support of this effort is critical. If you would like to get involved please send a brief testimony to crc@thecharles.org so that we may pass it along to the Joint Committee on Environment, Agriculture, and Natural Resources.

If you would like to read the text of House Bill 1359 click here.

If you would like to read more about swimming in the Swiss style please click here to read an article from the Swiss Review.

Parkways Advocacy

The issue of protecting historic parkways, such as Memorial Drive and Storrow Drive, has been raised many times and great progress has been made. Yet, the Parkways Bill (H-4283), requesting guidelines for parkway protection, now needs to be released from committee. The legislature has already earmarked $100,000 to complete these important guidelines. The bill received unanimous approval by the Joint Committee on the Environment, but has not yet been released by Ways and Means.  Please contact your legislators to urge them to do so. To read more and to learn how to take action, click on parkways advocacy.

Conservancy Volunteers

Despite consistently rainy weather, October was a busy month for the Conservancy Volunteer program. The College of Wooster alumni came out for their first time and did great work tackling the invasive species Asiatic Bittersweet. The volunteer program again had numerous returning groups like the Old Colony YMCA, Community Running, and Beacon Academy. Thanks to everyone for all of your hard work and enthusiasm.

The Conservancy Volunteer program is a wonderful way for friends and colleagues to work together and improve a natural resource. If you would like to schedule an event for your school, company, or organization, please contact our Conservancy Volunteer coordinator Evan Moss at elm@thecharles.org.

New Staff at the Conservancy

The CRC welcomes Sarah Tindall as the Parklands Project Coordinator. She will be responsible for managing the Conservancy's skatepark efforts and pathway improvements.  Sarah has a master’s degree in landscape architecture and has previously worked in commercial real estate.

CRC Job Openings

Development Coordinator/Director

If you know somebody with great writing skills, a creative mind, solid office experience, willingness to work hard, and a passion for the Charles River parklands, ask them to go to our website for more information about this open position.

Conservancy Television Programs

Every two weeks, CCTV will air a 30 minute show about Charles River Conservancy projects. Upcoming shows will air:

Wednesday, November 9th and 23rd at 5:30pm
and
Thursday, November 10th and 24th at 11:00 PM

These shows can be viewed on Channel 9 (in Cambridge only). You can also see the programs on www.CCTVcambridge.org.

RiverSing 2006

While memories of the Autumnal Equinox celebration with Revels are still fresh and as we start planning next year's event we welcome your comments and suggestions. Please send comments to crc@thecharles.org. To view pictures of this year’s RiverSing celebration, please click here.

Picture of the Month

The picture of the month, submitted by Mark Levesque, features Boston’s Longfellow Bridge, commonly known as the Salt and Pepper Bridge. The Massachusetts Highway Department is working on restoration plans for the Longfellow Bridge. The preliminary design phase is scheduled to be completed by December of 2006. To learn more please click here and search Boston for project number 604361.

If you have a picture you'd like to submit for a future picture of the month, please contact us at crc@thecharles.org.

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

Membership Mailing

IIn June a mailing with the Conservancy's new brochure was sent out.  If you have already sent in your contribution, accept our sincerest thanks.  If the letter is still waiting to be answered, please send in your contribution today and allow us to continue our efforts to make the parklands more attractive and active.

If you would like additional copies of the new brochure, please contact us at crc@thecharles.org.

You can also contribute to the Charles River Conservancy online.

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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