CHARLES  RIVER  PARKLANDS  UPDATE
July 2007
Archives—Table of Contents

“Out-of-the-Blue” Grant from the Boston Foundation

The CRC received an unsolicited and unrestricted gift of $75,000 from the Boston Foundation. The announcement letter mentions the CRC’s “high level of achievement in terms of strong and effective community leadership, outstanding quality of work, and an impressive history of accomplishments.”

Charles River Swim Race

On Saturday, July 21st, the Charles River Swimming Club will host the One Mile Swim. It will be the first ever open water swim race on the Charles River. The course is a one mile loop off the Esplanade and the event is also intended to raise awareness to return recreational swimming to the Charles. Observers are welcome. For more info, please visit www.charlesriverswimmingclub.org

Skatepark Funding Update

The CRC recently received grants of $75,000 from the Highland Street Foundation and $25,000 from the Hunt Alternatives Fund. This brings the total raised to over $1.4 million towards the $2.3 million goal.

A donor has announced a challenge grant of $50,000 if the CRC can get 100 new donors to contribute by September 30th. Even a $50 contribution counts towards that challenge – a great way for athletes and parents to help make this world-class skatepark happen.

Checks can be sent to the Charles River Conservancy, at 1 Education Street, Cambridge, MA 02141. Please write skatepark challenge on your check. Or donate online, by clicking here.

For more updates about the skatepark, please visit www.charlesriverskatepark.org. Or visit us on MySpace at www.myspace.com/boston_skatepark.

CRC on TV

The Conservancy has a regular television talk show on CCTV, which can be viewed on Channel 9 (Cambridge only).On Wednesday, June 25th at 5:30PM (and repeated at 12:30AM on the same night), Renata von Tscharner will interview Tom McNichol from the Charles River Cleanup Boat.

RiverSing 2007

Mark your calendars for RiverSing 2007 on Sunday, September 23rd! Be sure to bring your family and friends to join in song and celebration at the Weeks Bridge. Come as early as 5:00PM and bring a picnic. The participatory singing starts at 6:00PM. To request lyrics, please email RiverSing2007@yahoo.com.

Bike Ride on Car-Free Storrow Drive

On Sunday, September 23rd, there will be a citywide bike ride which includes parts of Storrow Drive that will be closed for the Hub on Wheels ride. There will be 25 and 45 mile loops through city parks, greenways, neighborhoods, and the waterfront. The race will start at Boston’s City Hall at 8:00AM. For more information, please visit Hub on Wheels’ website.

CRC in the Press

“Skateboarding” Minister, Richard Malmberg, and the Charles River Skatepark project were recently featured in the Newton Magazine. To read this article and others relating to the skatepark project please click here.

DCR Urban Parks Budget

Over the past decade, visitor services and routine maintenance of Massachusetts parks have suffered and Massachusetts is now ranked 49th among states in park spending. The FY08 budget provides a modest 5.7% increases for DCR’s urban parks. Last year, urban parks received a 13% increase. However, both these increases are shy of the recommended $10 million increase per year needed to address the signs of neglect of our parks.

The CRC advocates for increased state funding for the urban state parklands to complement the over $280,000 that the Conservancy Volunteer program has generated in the donated services of 8,500 volunteers.

Contributing to the CRC

The CRC sent out our spring mailing. In case you did not receive it, please let us know and we will send you one right away. If you did receive it and have already sent in your contribution, thank you very much. In case you have not made a contribution yet, we appreciate receiving your check in the near future. Or you can donate online by clicking here.

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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