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Conservancy Update, October 2011
Making the Parklands more active, attractive, and accessible for all
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Advocacy Update
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Underpass Advocacy
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Video of Pathways and Bridge Crossings
by John Allen
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After the September 7th MassDOT board meeting, at which CRC President Renata von Tscharner testified (click here to download her comments), members requested a full briefing of the underpasses and invited the Conservancy to explain why underpasses should be added as the Anderson, Western Avenue, and River Street Bridges are being restored. Ron Axelrod, a civil engineer as well as a CRC board member, joined von Tscharner for this presentation. Von Tscharner emphasized the increased safety as well as public health and environmental benefits. Axelrod pointed out that underpasses are technically feasible and that historic preservation and permitting issues can be solved. Download a copy of their comments here. For additional information about CRC's efforts in support of underpasses, click here.
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Map indicates current and proposed underpasses at Charles River bridges.
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With support from the Conservancy, Representative Martz Walz and Jonathan Hect have introduced legislation to establish the Charles River Parkways and Parklands Commission. This Commission would take a comprehensive look at the parklands from a transportation perspective, including all of the streets and intersections within 1/2 mile of the Parklands. The Commission would also examine ways to reduce/calm auto traffic along the parkways and increase non-motorized uses of the pathways and its adjacent streets. The Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture will hold a hearing on this proposed legislation (H. 2029) on Tuesday, October 18th (see below for details). Please attend to show your support if you can - or email the Committee's Co-Chairs (emails below).
In 1990 and 1992, the state legislature passed laws regulating the amount of new shadows that could be cast on the Boston Common and the Public Garden. On October 18th, the legislature will review a proposed bill that would expand the same protections to six additional parks, including several along the Charles River. The Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture is holding a hearing on H. 1169, An Act Protecting Sunlight in Certain Public Parks, on Tuesday, October 18th. Please attend and testify in support of the bill.
What: Join Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
Where: Massachusetts State House, Room 437
When: Tuesday, October 18th, 10am
Unable to attend but would still like to voice your support? Email the Committee's Co-Chairs: Representative Anne Gobi anne.gobi@mahouse.gov
Senator Marc Pacheco marc.pacheco@masenate.gov The Bottle Bill is the State's most successful recycling and litter prevention program. Since the Bottle Bill's became law in 1983, over 35 billion containers have been redeemed, contributing to a healthier environment, cleaner and safer communities, and a stronger economy. But to keep up with the times and consumer's tastes, the bottle bill must be updated. An Updated Bottle Bill would expand our container deposit system to include "new age" drinks such as non-carbonated beverages, water, iced tea, juice, and sports drinks. It would decrease litter and increase recycling. Over 200 cities and towns - in every corner of the state - have passed resolutions in support of the Bottle Bill update. Click here to tell your state representative and senator that you support the Bottle Bill and want this bill to come to a vote.
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Support the Charles River Conservancy
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Making the Charles River Parklands
attractive, active, and accessible to all!
Please show your support by making a donation today.
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Conservancy Volunteers
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Fall is here! And that means it's time for the Conservancy's
Third Annual Daffodil Planting Campaign
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Winter Wyman employees planted over 400 bulbs this past week!
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 Once again, our friends over at Mahoney's Garden Center have shown their support by donating 10,000 bulbs, which will be planted over the coming weeks by groups of Conservancy Volunteers. This will be the second year that CRC has partnered with Mahoney's on this wonderful event, and we encourage everyone who is looking for fall bulbs, mums, or holiday greenery to stop by one of their convenient locations. Many high schools and corporate groups have already signed up to participate, so you can be sure that next spring the parklands are going to be alive with color.
Upcoming Open Volunteer Event
Magazine Beach Cleanup
Sunday, November 13th, 9-noon
Join the Conservancy as we work to spruce up Magazine Beach in Cambridge. The event is open to all. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting first-time volunteers!
To RSVP for the Magazine Beach Cleanup or to plan an event for your group, contact Danielle Stehlik, Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator, at dms@thecharles.org.
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CRC Recognizes its Corporate Supporters
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On October 4th the Conservancy hosted corporate supporters at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge for a recognition and brainstorming event. Attendees received an update on recent activities and provided CRC with valuable feedback on ways to strengthen our ties in the community. A huge thank you to all who joined us, and a word of recognition to the Charles Hotel for inviting us to gather at their establishment.
Conservancy Sponsors
It is through the support of our corporate and foundation sponsors that the Conservancy is able to continue its mission of parkland improvements!
      
   
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Swimmable Charles Initiative
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Xiodan back at the lab with a sample - photo courtesy of Dr. Ferdi Hellweger, Northeastern University
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Water Quality Testing Update The Conservancy, in partnership with Northeastern University and in support of the Charles River Water Quality Commission, recently concluded a second summer of daily water quality monitoring. Northeastern University graduate student Xiaodan Ruan collected daily samples for analysis of E. coli and cyanobacteria at three potential swimming sites. Initial results from this summer's monitoring indicate that a cyanobacteria bloom did not occur. The level of E. coli varied at each of the three sites; with the Esplanade monitoring site meeting the state swimming standard 91% of the time, the MIT Sailing Pavilion meeting it 80% of the time and the Magazine Beach site 68% of the time. Visit our website to find out more about CRC's Swimmable Charles Initiative.
2nd Charles River Water Quality Workshop The Charles River Conservancy will host the Second Charles River Water Quality Workshop on Monday, November 14th at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lab in Chelmsford. Scientists from the Charles River Watershed Association, EPA, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and Northeastern University will share their data from various water quality monitoring efforts over the past summer. A summary of the results will then be presented to the Charles River Water Quality Commission at its next meeting in December.
The International RiverFoundation awarded the Riverprize for excellence in river management. "Under the direction of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), the Charles River has made a remarkable recovery from the 1950s when sewage and paint were discharged into the river. The Charles River now boasts better river health after the implementation of sustainable river managment including innovative stormwater management and water-sensitive urban development." Click here to read the full press release. |
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CRC and the Parklands in the Media
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 Click here to find CRC TV shows on YouTube, where you can hear CRC President Renata von Tscharner discuss the parklands with fellow river advocates and friends. Recent Articles Today, the Charles is heralded as the cleanest urban river inthe United States by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. - by Keith Regan, The HollistonPatch, 4 October 2011 Plans to revive Watertown's riverfront are ready, but money's in short supply. - by Jaclyn Reiss, The Boston Globe, 4 September 2011
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Upcoming Community Events
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Saturday, October 15th, 2-3:30pmJoin the Department of Conservation and Recreation for an afternoon stroll and a discussion of the life history of the parkland's under-appreciated urban trees during this fall foliage season. The group will meet at the rear of the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Esplanade, Boston. Free and open to all.
October 22nd-23rd Head Of The Charles Regatta, the world's largest two-day rowing event, was first held on October 16, 1965. Over the past 46 years, the Head Of The Charles regatta has grown tremendously. Today, more than 8,000 athletes from around the world compete in 55 different race events. The Regatta grew to a two-day event in 1997 and now attracts up to 300,000 spectators during the October weekend. For more information visit www.hocr.org.
Saturday, October 29th and November 19th, 2-3pm The Department of Conservation and Recreation invites you to attend a Ranger-led tour of the structure and pumping facility that keeps Boston and Cambridge above water. Meet at the Paul Revere Park flagpoles located below the Charlestown Bridge, Boston.
Emerald Necklace Conservancy Annual Meeting
Wednesday, November 2nd, 6:30-8:00pm Join the Emerald Necklace Conservancy at their 2011 Annual Meeting, featuring keynote speaker Steve Curwood, the award-winning host of National Public Radio's "Living on Earth". For more information or to RSVP, call (617) 522-2700.
Friday, November 4th, 7:00pm-midnight Join The Esplanade Association (TEA) for a fun-filled night of dancing, entertainment, and auction to benefit the Charles River Esplanade. Click here for more information.
Saturday, November 5th, 11:30am-2:30pm
You are invited to join TEA Saturday, November 5th to help beautify the park and ready it for its annual winter coat of snow. Volunteers are needed to help with leaf raking and general clean-up. All ages are welcome! To sign-up or find out more please contact Jessica Pederson, Project Manager for The Esplanade Association, at (617) 227-0365.
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To support our work, please give online at www.thecharles.orgor send your donation to the Charles River Conservancy, Four Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Thank you for reading! We hope to see you in the Parklands soon!
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