Charles River Conservancy

Saturday, July 12 – City Splash

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The Charles River Conservancy will once again host City Splash on July 12 at the Charles River. Spend the day on the Esplanade for the party of the summer. This year’s event is bigger and better, featuring more fun land activities and great local vendors, on top of the chance to swim in the Charles—one of the cleanest urban rivers in the country.

Swimming registration is open with limited spots available, so be sure to subscribe to our e-newsletter linktr.ee/charlesrivercrc and follow on Instagram @charlesriverconservancy for updates.

Saturday, June 17 (Rain Date Sunday, June 18) – City Splash

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The Charles River Conservancy is excited to bring swimmers back to the Charles on June 17th (rain date June 18th) for our community swim, one of only two annual opportunities to swim in the river. The CRC works in partnership with Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to obtain a Special Use Permit for this unique event. Due to important safety considerations, there are limited swimming slots and swimming in the Charles River is only allowed if a permit is obtained from DCR. City Splash is a community event that provides the public the rare opportunity to swim in the Charles River and raise awareness to bring river swimming back to Boston. This annual state-sanctioned swim allows the public to experience the joy of swimming in the Charles River—one of the cleanest urban rivers in the United States. The event is held in a demarcated deep-water area off the Fiedler Dock on the DCR Esplanade in Boston. The CRC has a vision to create a seasonal home for swimming in the Charles, but does not encourage swimming in the Charles outside of permitted events.  City Splash swim slots are currently SOLD OUT, but do come down to the Dock to cheer the swimmers on Thank you for everyone’s interest in making a big splash in the Charles. We’ll be making tickets available if swim slots open up. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our e-news so that you can get the latest details of the event.  For complete information visit https://thecharles.org/city-splash/

Saturday, October 4, 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm – Tango by Moonlight

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Join the Charles River Conservancy on Saturday, October 4 from 7:30 – 11 at the Weeks Footbridge in Cambridge for a free event, Tango by Moonlight.  By the light of the full moon shimmering over the rippling waters of the Charles River, dance the Argentine Tango, or just watch and listen.  The Weeks Pedestrian Bridge is near Harvard Square, at Memorial Drive just east of JFK Street, and across from DeWolfe Street.  Raindate Sunday, October 5 if necessary.  For more information visit http://www.bostontango.org.

Marathon Daffodils

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Marathon Daffodils is a collaboration of nonprofit organizations, gardeners, cities and towns, organizations, businesses, and citizens interested in preserving the spirit of the Boston Marathon and Boston Strong, while embracing the tradition of celebrating the arrival of Spring to Boston.

Some of Massachusetts top horticultural organizations, partnering with communities and volunteers plan to plant daffodils along the 26.5 mile Boston Marathon route, to create a new event.  Tower Hill Botanic Garden, The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, The Garden Club Federation, The Charles River Conservancy and other groups have agreed to collaborate. The goal is to raise $1,000 per mile for a total of $26,500 from Hopkinton to Boston.

“We want to do something to lift the spirits of the community, in support of Boston Marathon 2014 and Boston Strong,” said Diane Valle, volunteer and organizer.

“We are excited to participate,” said Kathy Abbott, Executive Director of Tower Hill Botanic Garden, “because we believe Marathon Daffodils represent Spring and rebirth. This is a great community building opportunity.”

Plans include outreach to supporters and volunteers from young to old; and novices to Master Gardeners; to plant daffodils. “Marathon Daffodil” donations are welcome, sent to The Cooperative Bank, 201 Main Street, Charlestown, MA 02129.

“With the support of the communities, the planting of daffodils is to commence in October and continue through December, along the route, and hopefully throughout our communities,” said Kathy Thomas, Past Garden Club Federation President and horticultural activist.  Volunteers are welcome.

For more information:

Diane Valle
dianevalle@gmail.com

Kathy Thomas
Kathymthomas@aol.com

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Sundays, June 16 – September 29, 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm – Sunday Parkland Games

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The Charles River Conservancy presents the 5th season of the Sunday Parkland Games, held in the Charles River Parklands close to the Weeks Footbridge, 948 Memorial Drive in Cambridge, every Sunday from June 16 through September 29, 3:30pm-6pm. The Conservancy, with its partner Knucklebones, provides athletic equipment and instruction for people of ALL ages and abilities. Games include everything from badminton to hula-hoop, (mini) basketball hoops to bean-bag toss. In addition, Karma Yoga will offer weekly yoga sessions from 5pm-6pm. The event is FREE and open to the public — they hope to see you there!  For information, visit www.thecharles.org.

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Monday, April 22 – 5% for Earth Day

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Boston has long been known for its commitment to preserving green space. The Boston Common, The Public Garden, the Emerald Necklace, the creation of the Charles River Basin, the clean-up of Boston Harbor, the revitalization of the Waterfront, the completion of Big Dig and the opening of the Rose Kennedy Greenway are but a few examples of the Commonwealth and the City’s dedication to public, open space throughout the years. All of these improvements were made possible through the commitment of a number of non-profit organizations that work hand in hand with our local, state and national government to keep our parks and open spaces in shape.

For Earth Day 2013, five of these non-profits (the Charles River Conservancy, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, the Esplanade Association, the Friends of Public Garden, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy) are joining forces to bring 5% for Earth Day to Boston. The campaign, which has seen three years of success in Austin, TX and expanded to the Houston, TX area in 2012, will ask Boston-area retailers to donate 5% of their gross proceeds on Monday April 22, 2013 to a coalition of non-profits that support projects in Boston’s parks and open spaces.

Kickass Cupcakes, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, Momogoose, Mei Mei Street Kitchen, Henrietta’s Table, SkinHealth Centers, Shuckin Truck, and The Chubby Chickpea are among the participating businesses. Go to www.give5Boston.org for a complete list.

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Thursday, March 14, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Brooklyn’s Resilient Edge: The Transformation of Industrial Waterfront into Brooklyn Bridge Park

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Brooklyn’s Resilient Edge: The Transformation of Industrial Waterfront into Brooklyn Bridge Park, is a lecture by Nate Trevethan, Senior Associate at Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and senior design team member for Brooklyn Bridge Park, sponsored by the Friends of Fairsted, to take place March 14, 2013, with reception at 6:00 pm, lecture at 7:00 pm, at Wheelock College, 43 Hawes Street, Brookline. Free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Reservations are requested: e-mail friendsoffairsted@gmail.com or leave a message at 617-566-1689, ext. 265.

Ambitious and visionary goals guide the creative team in their transformation of Brooklyn’s former industrial waterfront into a new public landscape of diverse recreational, economic, ecological and social possibilities: to preserve the historic urban context and the way it is experienced in this dramatic waterfront site. The award-winning design by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates gives voice to physical history, geography, industry, urbanity and evolving recreational needs as it transforms a challenging waterfront into a sustainable public park of monumental vistas and diverse landscape experiences.

Friends of Fairsted gratefully acknowledges the support of the following co-sponsors: National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site; Wheelock College; Arnold Arboretum; Boston Society of Landscape Architects; Brookline GreenSpace Alliance; Brookline Historical Society; Charles River Conservancy; Emerald Necklace Conservancy; The Fenway Alliance; Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery; Friends of the Muddy River; Friends of the Public Garden; High Street Hill Association; Historic New England; The Landscape Institute of the Boston Architectural College; Library of American Landscape History; Massachusetts Historical Society; Muddy River Restoration Project Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee; National Association for Olmsted Parks; New England Landscape Design and History Association; Society of Architectural Historians, New England Chapter; The Trustees of Reservations.

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Tuesday, June 15, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm – Charles River Conservancy’s 10th Anniversary Event

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Celebrate the Power of the Parklands at the Charles River Conservancy’s 10th Anniversary event on Tuesday, June 15, beginning with a reception at 11:30 am, followed by a luncheon at 12:30 pm, at the Washburn Riverfront Pavilion at the Museum of Science in Boston.  This year the Conservancy will honor Henry Lee, Founder of the Friends of the Public Garden, and Conservancy supporters Carolyn and Peter Lynch.  Guest speakers include Tom Ashbrook, host of National Public Radio’s “On Point,” and Fred Salvucci, former Secretary of Transportation.  The Conservancy gratefully thanks its principal supporters InterSystems, Fidelity Investments, and Bank of America, for their help with this event, as well as Equity Office, Harvard University, Polaris Public Relations and Novartis.  For tickets ($150 per person) and sponsorship information ($500 and above), call 617-608-1410, or email crc@thecharles.org.  You may also find details on the Charles River Conservancy’s website, www.thecharles.org.  Photo by Tom Christiansen.

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October Daffodil Planting on the Charles

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This autumn, the Charles River Conservancy will be planting bulbs along the banks of the Charles in Boston, Cambridge, and Watertown.  For the next month, every dollar you give will purchase one bulb that will help to brighten our Parklands next spring.

If you’re unable to donate funds for the bulbs, help plant them!  Volunteer events will take place throughout October and November until the ground freezes.

You can donate securely via their website, www.TheCharles.org.  Please specify BULB PLANTING in the “Comments” box.  If you prefer, you can also mail a donation to: Charles River Conservancy, 4 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

For questions, or to volunteer for a bulb planting event, please contact the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator John Broderick at jrb@thecharles.org or 617.300.8173.

Daffodils at water's edge

Saturday, September 26 – National Public Lands Day

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National Public Lands Day began in 1994 with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers. Last year 120,000 volunteers worked in over 1,800 locations and in every state. Now, 8 federal agencies and many state and local lands participate in this annual day of caring for shared lands.

National Public Lands Day keeps the promise of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the “tree army” that worked from 1933-42 to preserve and protect America’s natural heritage.

This annual event:

  • Educates Americans about critical environmental and natural resources issues and the need for shared stewardship of these valued, irreplaceable lands;
  • Builds partnerships between the public sector and the local community based upon mutual interests in the enhancement and restoration of America’s public lands;
  • Improves public lands for outdoor recreation, with volunteers assisting land managers in hands-on work.

To find a site near you, or to nominate a site, log on to www.publiclandsday.org.   One venue will be the Boston Nature Center, one of the organizations supported by The Garden Club of the Back Bay.

This event will be an interactive educational event for youth of all ages. Local, state and federal land management agencies will provide games, activities and information. Join them from 1 to 4 PM at the Boston Nature Center.

Contact: Jessie Scott
Agency: USDA Forest Service
Phone: 617-626-4979
On the Web: www.massaudubon.org/boston
Location: 500 Walk Hill Street | Mattapan, Massachusetts 02126

Another local event will be sponsored by the Charles River Conservancy, alont the Charles River Parklands, removing invasive species, combined with trash pick-up along the banks of the Charles.

Contact: John Broderick
Agency: Charles River Conservancy
Phone: (617) 300-8173
On the Web: www.thecharles.org
Location: 4 Brattle Street | Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138