CHARLES  RIVER  PARKLANDS  UPDATE
January 2009
Archives—Table of Contents

Swimmable Charles Bill Passes

Swimming advocates are celebrating Governor Deval Patrick’s recent signing into effect a bill t0 create a Charles River Water Commission. Proposed and tirelessly championed by Cambridge State Representative Alice K. Wolf, the bill marks another landmark step in the road to returning swimming to the Charles.  The Commission’s goals include identifying further water quality improvement methods and researching potential areas along the Charles River’s Lower Basin to develop for public swimming. The CRC’s Swimmable Charles Coordinator, funded by The Boston Foundation, will play a key role in moving these efforts forward. To view the bill, please click here.

CRC Weighs in on State’s Accelerated Bridge Rehabilitation Program

As the DCR proceeds with the much-needed restoration of the Charles River bridges under Governor Patrick’s Accelerated Bridge Program, the CRC has weighed in with other non-profits to ensure that the Craigie Street and B.U. Bridges also become more user-friendly for pedestrians and bicyclists and provide better access to the parklands. To read more, click here.

New Pedestrian Walkway to Link Kendall Square with the Parklands

There will soon be a new river walkway on Broad Canal in East Cambridge that will enable pedestrians to travel from First Street to Third Street along the water without any detours.  The pedestrian bridge is the result of years of back-and-forth between citizens, concerned groups (including the CRC), and representatives of the Mirant Kendall power plant. 

In 2000, the company had agreed to build the walkway in exchange for permission to expand, but then resisted, citing concerns over potential access for terrorists.  After years of neighborhood meetings and permit procedures, the walkway should be finished by April 2009 and will be a significant advance in the “walkability” of that area.

Parkland Advocacy

In preparing for the federal economic stimulus package that the state of Massachusetts will submit to Washington D.C., the Conservancy has suggested several projects in the Charles River Parklands including the North Point Park area, the docks at Community Boating, the phase II of parkways in front of MIT, the Watertown Riverfront restoration and traffic calming measures for Nonantum Road.

“Urban Happiness” with Enrique Penalosa

In a special “StreetTalk” sponsored by the Livable Streets Alliance, former mayor of Bogota Enrique Penalosa will discuss the radical transportation changes he implemented in the Columbian capital.  The event will be held at the Boston Public Library, Thursday, Feb. 5th, at 6.30 p.m. 

The CRC supports this event and will have an information table before and after the talk. Stop by to visit us!  Click here to read more about this event.

Book Your Corporate Volunteer Event

We are now booking groups well into June, so now is the time to schedule your corporate volunteer event with the CRC!  This is a great way for your company to enjoy healthy physical activity while giving back to the community.  Please contact John Broderick at jrb@thecharles.org or call (617)300-8173.

February Parklands Show Schedule

To view our previous shows on YouTube, please click here.

 

January 26th

Bruce Smith, Executive Director of Community Rowing, speaks with Renata von Tscharner.

February 2nd

Avid runner Raul Solano speaks with Renata von Tscharner about running along the Charles.

February 9th

Historian Dr. William Marchione speaks with Renata von Tscharner about the history of the river and its abutting communities (Part One).

February 23rd

Dr. Marchione continues his history of the Charles.

February 11th

Yoga instructor Sandra Uyterhoeven speaks with Renata von Tscharner about the Department of Conservation and Recreation's yoga at the hatch shell program

February 25th

Bruce Smith of Community Rowing with Renata von Tscharner.

Easy to Donate

You can give easily and securely online or send a check to the CRC at Four Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Thank you. We translate your support into more attractive, active and accessible Parklands.

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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