Public / Private Partnership results in repaved bike path along Charles River

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Renata von Tscharner
Charles River Conservancy
One Education Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
rvt@thecharles.org
617-619-2851

Newton, MA...May 23, 2007...If you have bicycled or in-line-skated on the southern shore of the Charles River along Nonatum Road, you have often experienced a bumpy ride. The path is overcome with roots that break out of the pavement, and significant holes that endanger walking, running or rolling.

This is soon going to change.

When the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) announced its Fix it First Public/Private partnership, the Charles River Conservancy worked to bring attention to the dismal condition of these pathways. To gain EOEEA funds the CRC raised $22,000 in matching funds from bikers, Charles River enthusiasts and foundations. The Solomon Fund added another $25,000 to the gift to be matched, which brought the total up to an astounding $94,000!

The DCR guided by Dan Driscoll, Senior DCR planner, identified the worst stretches of the Dr. Paul Dudley White Bikepath, and initiated the process of repaving. Driscoll has a great reputation for his work upriver from the Watertown Dam, where he oversaw the creation of new pathways on both sides of the river.

In preparation for the repaving, the Conservancy Volunteers under the leadership of Evan Moss, cut brush along the stretches to be redone. Over 85 volunteers participated as part of the Charles River Conservancy's program that brings over 2500 volunteers to the parklands per year.

The pathway repaving plan varies from full reconstruction in certain areas to strategic overlay coating depending on the damage caused by roots to the affected areas.

These improvements are part of an ongoing and larger effort by the CRC to make the pathways along the Charles River basin both safer and user friendly. Due to the proximity of mature trees, these pathways need to be resurfaced every few years. An even more challenging aspect of pathway safety, however, is the lack of visible signage and crossing lights at key intersections. For example, the River Street Bridge intersection on the Boston side does not offer a crossing light for non-motorized users, thus impeding their safety.

Although the installation of a light at this crossing would provide a short term solution to pedestrian safety, we believe that a larger goal should be the creation of pedestrian safe underpasses. These already exist near the Eliot Bridge and BU Bridge and result in a shorter ride for commuters and safer travels for recreational riders. A continuous pathway also offers better exercise potential and overall a more scenic experience.

Community partners such as MassBike have launched a signature campaign to encourage further repaving. The goal is to continue the effort to repave the pathways until they are all fully rehabilitated.

About the Charles River Conservancy (CRC)

This public interest organization, founded in 2000 by bicyclist and inline skater Renata von Tscharner, aims to make the Charles River parklands more attractive, active and accessible. Our goal to champion the renewal and stewardship of the parklands from the Boston harbor to the Watertown Dam is brought one step closer by the pathways project.

CRC programs include:

• Conservancy Volunteers—bringing over 7,000 volunteers of all ages to the parklands for landscaping, tree pruning, shore line restoration, and invasive and debris removal.
• The Charles River Skatepark—construction of a world-class skatepark under the Zakim bridge ramps.
• Swimmable Charles—bringing back public swimming in the Charles River
• RiverSing—an annual celebration of the Autumnal Equinox and permanent illumination of the historic Charles River bridges.

To learn more and volunteer, visit www.thecharles.org

Other contacts for the pathways resurfacing project are:

Dan Driscoll
Senior planner DCR
Project supervisor
dan.driscoll@state.ma.us
617-626-1438

Margie Lynch
DCR Director of Partnerships
Margie.Lynch@state.ma.us
617-626-1315

Betsy Shure-Gross
EOEEA's Public Private Partnership, Exceutive Director
betsy.shuregross@state.ma.us
617-626-1117

Herb Nolan
Solomon Fund Executive Director
herbnolan@solomonfund.org
781-431-1440

Chris Porter
MassBike
cporter@camsys.com