CHARLES  RIVER  PARKLANDS  UPDATE
November 2005
Archives—Table of Contents

Skatepark Update

The Conservancy has raised over $800,000 towards bringing this world-class skatepark to the banks of the Charles River! As part of the Supplemental Capital Budget Bill, the state legislators have approved funding earmarked for the design and construction of the Charles River Skatepark; the House approved $75,000 and the Senate approved $150,000. The budget will now be sent to conference committee to decide on the amount before it goes to Governor Romney for final approval.

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

Holiday Gift Ideas

The holidays are just around the corner and the Charles River Conservancy offers great gift ideas that are not only great presents, but also contribute to the protection of the parklands we all know and love. For anyone who lives in the Greater Boston area, the Conservancy’s Charles River Parkland Poster is a perfect gift. For the skateboarder in your family, be sure to check out the Charles River Skatepark Board, designed with the help of Boston area skaters. History buffs and locals alike would love a copy of Karl Haglund's book Inventing the Charles. Trying to buy a present for the person who has everything? Give them a membership to the Charles River Conservancy this year! These gift ideas are a great way to celebrate the holidays, while also taking care of this treasured public space that gives us so much all year long.

Fall 2005 Newsletter

The Charles River Conservancy just sent out the fall 2005 newsletter, entitled Parklands. The newsletter is newly formatted and highlights some of the Conservancy’s latest projects and events. If you did not receive our newsletter and would like one, please send your name and mailing address to crc@TheCharles.org to request a copy of your own.

Water Quality Online Quiz

The online version of the Water Quality Quiz is now available! This quiz accompanies our new Water Quality Brochure, funded by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust. You can view the brochure online or e-mail crc@TheCharles.org to request a printed copy. To test your knowledge of water quality along the Charles River, click on our Water Quality Quiz!

Swimming in the Charles

On Monday, November 7th Conservancy president, Renata von Tscharner, as well as John deVillars, Paul Parravano of MIT, Bob Zimmerman of CRWA, and Frans Lawaetz of the Charles River Swimming Club testified to the Joint Committee on Environment, Agriculture, and Natural Resources regarding Bill H-1359. This bill, proposed by State Representative Alice Wolf, calls for the creation of a commission to study the Charles River with the express goal of reinstating public swimming. If you would like to get involved please e-mail crc@TheCharles.org. 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, click on: article from the Swiss Review.

Conservancy Volunteers

So far this fall the program has brought out over 400 volunteers to the parklands. Buckingham Browne and Nichols and Newton Athletes Serving the Community worked for their fall service days this month and each group removed over 55 cubic yards of Asiatic bitter sweet. The Northeastern University women’s crew team returned for their second annual volunteer day with 50 enthusiastic rowers who tirelessly worked to remove invasive species and clean up a large stretch of Magazine Beach.

Thank you to all of our volunteers and make sure you sign up for the Conservancy’s tree-pruning season beginning in January 2006!

The Conservancy Volunteer program is a wonderful way for friends and colleagues to work together and improve the parklands. 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.

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, www.thecharles.org, 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 December 7th at 5:30 PM
and
Thursday the 8th at 11:00 PM
Featuring the CRC’s stewardship program
and service learning with Evan Moss

and

Wednesday December 21th at 5:30 PM
and
Thursday the 22nd at 11:00 PM
Featuring ice skating with Annette LaMond

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

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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