CHARLES  RIVER  PARKLANDS  UPDATE
May 2006
Archives—Table of Contents

Environmental Funding Call to Action!

Last month the House of Representatives passed a budget to increase environmental spending by $9 million over the current year's funding. While this is a positive move in the right direction, we are hoping the Senate, which is responsible for the next step in the budget process, will do much better. The Senate is currently finalizing its budget numbers and will be releasing its Ways and Means budget next week, with debate on amendments in the following week.

Please contact your state Senator and ask him or her to support higher environmental funding! The Environmental League of Massachusetts is specifically asking for $31.8 million in funding for urban parks, which is an additional $8.2 million over the current year’s funding and would restore the program to Fiscal Year 2001 funding levels.

If we act now, we might be able to ensure that funding is available to improve our parklands! For more information on your town’s Senator and how to contact them, click here.

Bike the Charles On May 13th

Boston Bike Week, coordinated by Hub on Wheels, starts this May 13th with the kick off event "Bike the Charles.' This ride will begin at 10AM on Saturday, May 13th in Herter Park and will travel along the 27 miles of Charles River bike paths. This event and many more will be happening from May 13th through the 21st. Group bike events, sponsored breakfasts and lunches, and specialty tours are just some of the highlights of this week. So grab your bike and head out to the Parklands to celebrate Boston Bike Week! For more information, click here.

Watercolor Workshop Coming Up

There is still time to register for this great program with Frank Costantino! Along the banks of the Charles River, in the environs of the Weeks Bridge & the Weld Boathouse, a 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 to 20 people.

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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