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Conservancy Update, December 2011
Making the Parklands more active, attractive, and accessible for all
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Dear Friend of the Parklands,
This e-newsletter is the last one in 2011 and we want to thank you for your support during this year. Whether you came out to plant bulbs, attended a Sunday Games event, or wrote a letter in support of parkland improvements, we appreciate your being an active participant in the renewal of these beautiful shores. Now we ask you to also make a financial contribution so that the work of advocacy and stewardship can continue. If you have already done so, we thank you very much. You can make your tax deductible gift electronically safely by clicking here or you can send your check for the Charles River Conservancy to 4 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
The community of people who care for the parklands continues to grow, and we are grateful to all who are participating.
As the 19th century visionary Charles Eliot put it: the parklands along the urban Charles are our "democratic common ground." With gratitude and best wishes for the holiday season. Renata von Tscharner President, Charles River Conservancy
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Advocacy
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Advocacy for Bridge Underpasses
In case you missed previous information about our efforts to add underpasses as the Anderson, Western Ave and River Street Bridges are being restored, please visit our website. In addition, to the 29 elected officials in support, 33 organizations also signed on and the most recent one to join is the Boston Society of Landscape Architects to speak up for underpasses. On December 15, former Governor Michael Dukakis moderated an Issues Forum where 35 stakeholders discussed with MassDOT how to overcome the problems and look at new creative options both short term and long term. Other presenters and speakers included Representative Marty Walz, DCR's Dan Driscoll, Fred Salvucci, Liz Levin, Ann Hershfang, Bob O'Brian, Ken Kruckemeyer, and Steve Kaiser. Updates will be posted on our website.
Understanding State Spending
The state has launched a new website dedicated to fiscal transparency. Based on guidelines passed in the FY2011 budget, the Massachusetts Open Checkbook website allows users to view information on state spending by department, including the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and includes a searchable database of vendors. To learn more visit: www.mass.gov/opencheckbook
DCR's Urban Parklands Budget for 2013
As in previous years, CRC President testified at the budget hearing, which was chaired by EOEEA Secretary Richard Sullivan and with DCR Commissioner Ed Lambert there as well. The CRC asked for increasing DCR's urban parklands funds and also joined the Enviornmental League of MA (ELM) to ask for 1% for the Environment (up from currently 0.4%). We also support revenue retention ability (section 8 of HB 3761) so that when DCR raises revenue those funds can benefit the parks agency. Click here to read the letter to Secretary Sullivan.
Skatepark and Northpoint Park
Click here to read the letter for Chapter 91 license commenting on the permit for the new EF building on former tidelands next to the future skatepark.
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Parkway News
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Parkland News
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) continues to restore stretches of the
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Pathway restoration along Memorial Drive
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pathway along the river. The picture along Memorial Drive between the Anderson Bridge and the Eliot Bridge shows the stretch that was dangerously crumbling. We applaud DCR for these improvements that benefit walkers, runners, bikers, and inline skaters. With the Hubway bike program expanding into Cambridge and an expected 300,000 trips for 2012, the pathways along the Charles will become an important destination.
Congratulations to Knucklebones, who provide the innovative equipment for CRC's Sunday Parkland Games. Visit their new store and play area at 196 Elm Street near Davis Square. For article in Cambridge Chronicle, click here.
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Upcoming Events
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Morse School Students designs of Magazine Beach on display in Central Square
Third Graders from the Morse School drew their visions of a revised green space at Magazine Beach. Their artwork will be on display in Central Square starting December 21st. And visit Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association's blog for more information about this historic park.
Walking the Charles In Winter- Out with the Old Year
Join DCR staff member for a brisk walk around the Charles River Basin- purely for Exercise! Meet at the Plaza in front of the Museum of Science. Saturday December 31st, 1:30-3:30PM. For more information, click here.
Esplanade Association's 2020 Vision Study
Join the Esplanade Association for a talk of their future plans for the Esplanade with presentation by Mr. John Shields of Shields Design LLC. Please see their website for more information on this presentation set for January.
NOFA/Mass Winter Conference, January 14, 2012
Julie Wood of CRWA will be presenting on Urban Streetscapes: Treating Stormwater and "Greening" the Public Realm. The conference draws about 1,000 people from Massachusetts and neighboring states. Learn more and register.
Charles River Dam Tour
Join DCR for a tour of the facility that keeps the tides from reclaiming much of the Boston and Cambridge Riverfront on January 14th & February 25th from 2-3PM. Meet at Flagpoles in Paul Revere Park. To see more information, click here.
Walking the Charles in Winter- Tree walk
Join DCR staff member to talk a walk along the Charles and view the trees in the winter landscape. Meet at the Plaza in front of the Museum of Science. Saturday, January 28th, 1:30-3:30PM. For more information, click here.
The Lost Half Mile
Join DCR for a stroll of the exciting new parks where the Charles Meets the Harbor. Meet at the Plaza in front of the Museum of Science. Saturday, February 11th, 1:30-3:30PM. For more information, click here.
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Conservancy Volunteers
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It has been a tremendous year for volunteers and we want to say thank you!
Thanks to our 2,700 volunteers in 2011, we are able to make an impact on the parklands. Thank you for volunteering your weekday or weekend mornings to make a difference in a local park. Stay tuned for upcoming volunteer events, such as tree pruning. More will be posted on our website soon!
 | | MIT students from Theta Xi surround CRC President, Renata von Tscharner, as she accepts grant from REI |
This past summer, REI awarded the Conservancy a $10,000 grant for the Conservancy Volunteer Program. Dane Tullock from REI Boston joined CRC volunteers for a formal grant presentation. With support from REI, volunteers have joined the Conservancy to plant daffodil bulbs, paint  railings, remove invasive species, weed garden beds, maintain park benches, rake leaves, and pick up trash at multiple locations throughout the parklands. This grant allows the CRC to greatly increase the number of open volunteer events.
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Swimmable Charles Initiative
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Save the Date for the 2012 One Mile Swim Race! It's not too early to start training for the next Charles River One Mile Swim Race! The 2012 race will be held Saturday June 2nd, with a rain date of Sunday June 17th. Join CRC Director of Projects, Karen Patterson Green, in this fantastic experience. To learn more about the race and its organizer, the Charles River Swimming Club, visit http://www.charlesriverswimmingclub.org/wp/. If you want to learn more about the daily water quality testing by the CRC click here.
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Swimmer jumping into the Charles River- photo courtesy of Tom Gastel www.tomgastel.com |
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Young Professionals Group
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The Conservancy is launching a Young Professionals Group, aiming at holding fun, outdoor activities every few months. Join us for our kickoff event, January 18th, where you can learn what the Young Professionals Group is all about. CRC will be highlighting the upcoming young professionals events including a snowshoeing event on February 4th! Click here to email us to be included in the January 18th invitation.
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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. |
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To support our work, please give online at www.thecharles.org or 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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