CHARLES  RIVER  PARKLANDS  UPDATE
May 2006
Archives—Table of Contents

Membership Mailing

Our spring letters have been sent out! The mailing contains a complimentary watercolor note card and a mini poster. If you did not receive it or you know somebody who would like to receive it, please send us the contact information at crc@thecharles.org. If you have already sent in your donation, thank you for your support of the Charles River Parklands.

Urban Parks Cut Again!

Proper funding can make an enormous difference to the attractiveness and accessibility of the parklands. Urban parks need an increase in funding — NOT another cut. This week, please take a few minutes to call or email your state senator to support your parklands. The budget for urban parks needs to be restored to the proper levels. To find your legislator, click here. Every voice counts! Please also send a copy of your e-mail to crc@thecharles.org.

Watercolor Workshop

This is your last chance to sign up for a one day watercolor course taught by experienced artist and teacher, Frank Costantino. He makes capturing vistas and seeing the parklands with new eyes easy! The plein-air workshop will be held all day on Saturday June 3rd with an introductory session in the evening of May 31st. Click on the following link for more information and to sign up for the Watercolor Workshop (doc file) . Participation limited.

Watercolor of the Weeks Bridge by Frank Costantino

Skatepark Signs are Up!

The signs announcing the “Future Home of the Charles River Skatepark” are up! They are visible from the commuter rail, I-93 heading South, and where the Boston Duck Tours enter the river. To learn more about the skatepark and to donate to this exciting effort visit the Charles River Skatepark section of our website.

Upcoming TV show

On Tuesday, May 30th at 7:30 PM, the Channel 5 Chronicle will air a feature on the Charles River, including an interview about the skatepark.

Swimming in the Charles River

DCR Commissioner Steve Burrington was recently quoted in the Beacon Hill Times and the Boston Courant stating that it is time to begin plans for the reintroduction of swimming in the Charles River. The CRC, along with the support of Rep. Alice Wolf and John deVillars, are spearheading this historical effort. For more information on swimming in the Charles, please visit the swimming section of our website.

Conservancy Volunteers Update

The 7th Annual Charles River Clean Up was a resounding success, the largest earthday clean up event ever with over 1,600 volunteers. The Cambridge and Watertown stretch of river that the Conservancy supervised had over 400 volunteers alone. Thank you for your participation and enthusiasm!

The Conservancy Stewardship initiative held four service-learning classes with Beacon Academy, Brookline Brownies and Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall.  Thanks to the Brownies’ Earthforce Grant, they helped plant Lilly of the Valley, Lupine, Lavender, Mini Hollyhock and Penstemon around the Artesani Playground.

The Conservancy also held ten invasives removal and park beautification events with BC Alumni Association, BU Hillel, Emerson College, MIT Sloan School of Management, Novartis, Timberland and Young Alumni Volunteer Association.

If you would like to schedule an event for your school, company, or organization, please contact our Stewardship Manger, Evan Moss at elm@thecharles.org or the telephone number shown in the column to the left.

RiverSing 2006

RiverSing 2006 has been scheduled for Thursday, September 21st! Mark your calendars and be sure to bring your family and friends to join in singing and celebration at the Weeks Bridge. Once again, we will be partnering with the Revels to welcome the beginning of autumn.

New Staff at the Conservancy

Will Kilburn is joining the CRC as the Communications and Development Director. He is a Massachusetts native who has been cycling, running, and paddling on the Charles River since childhood. He brings 12 years of media experience to the CRC, including stints at Christian Science Monitor Radio, WBUR, NECN, WBZ Radio, and the Boston Globe.

Jennifer Chu has joined the CRC as the Administrative Assistant. She graduated from Colby College in Waterville, ME with a degree in Government and International Studies.

Job Openings at the Conservancy

Parklands Ambassadors Coordinator
The Charles River Conservancy seeks a volunteer manager of the Parkland Ambassadors Program, a new initiative of the Conservancy to expand public knowledge and use of the Charles River Parklands.  This manager would work to recruit and train volunteer Parkland Ambassadors who would work in the parklands, answering questions, leading programs, and providing a visible presence in the parklands to promote stewardship and support the mission of the Charles River Conservancy.  Please visit the employment section of our website for more information.

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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