Boston Flora

Tag: Charles River

  • Wednesday, May 12, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Frameworks for the Future: Activities, Circulation, Wayfinding and Landscape

    On May 12, 2010, you are invited to join The Esplanade Association and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to review and comment on proposed improvements to the Charles River Esplanade. These suggested changes, made by the Esplanade 2020 Project and conceptual in nature, are meant to both improve the visitor experience and raise the ecological and aesthetic standards of the riverfront park. Team leaders of the Esplanade 2020 Design Group will present, and there will be ample time for community feedback and questions.

    Frameworks for the Future: Activities, Circulation, Wayfinding, and Landscape
    An Esplanade 2020 Public Meeting
    Wednesday, May 12, 6-8:30pm
    Boston Public Library, McKim Lower Level Conference Room

    Presentations at the public meeting will include: Overview of the Esplanade 2020 Project (John Shields, AIA, President of SheildsDESIGN); Activities (John Stebbins, AIA, LEED AP, Principle Emeritus of Cambridge Seven Associates); Circulation (Anthony Pangaro, Principle of Millennium Partners – Boston, Architect, former Manager of Boston’s Southwest Corridor Project); Wayfinding (Mark Favermann, Architect, President of Favermann Design); and Landscape (Craig Halverson, FASLA, President of Halverson Design Partnership).

    The Esplanade 2020 Project is an initiative of The Esplanade Association, in collaboration with DCR, which is crafting a shared vision for the future of the Charles River Esplanade. In celebration of the park’s Centennial Anniversary, the Esplanade 2020 Project is suggesting visionary but realistic changes to the park that will elevate it to its intended status as a world class destination over the next ten years and beyond. Guided by community feedback collected at a series of public meetings, a core group of architectural, planning, and horticultural professionals is working to analyze current park conditions and make suggestions for substantial park improvements. Esplanade 2020 is an inclusive project, and broad community participation is encouraged.

    For more information about Esplanade 2020, or to RSVP, please visit www.esplanadeassociation.org or contact Chris Murton at 617.227.0365 or cmurton@esplanadeassociation.org.

  • Wednesday, September 30, 10 am – 1 pm – Two Collectors’ Gardens

    Visit two of the area’s finest fall gardens in their autumn glory.  The Dover garden sits on an acre of land, not far from the Charles River, with rich alluvial soil and plenty of moisture and light.  With these ingredients, Carrie Waterman has created an outstanding naturalistic garden, which has evolved to accommodate the owner’s passions for plant propagation, native plants and color. Plants with long bloom times and handsome foliage fill the mixed borders which peak in fall splendor. In nearby Needham, discover a fall garden that glows in the autumn light, highlighting a collection of brilliant maples, golden birches and deciduous confers, beech, bamboos and grasses of every type.  Using variation in foliage size, color, and texture, Ellen Lathi has achieved a bold and colorful effect for four-season interest. Natural stone, a bog filled with large-leafed plants, and a stream add to the fall scene. Both gardeners are fans of serendipity and love to see the native plants, with the help of the birds, spread themselves around and get comfortable!  Many Garden Club of the Back Bay members may remember seeing Ellen Lahti’s slide presentation at The Country Club last year, sponsored by The Boston Committee.  This tour is presented by The New England Wild Flower Society, and will cost $30 if a NEWFS member, $36 if a non member.  To register, log on to www.newfs.org, or call 508-877-7630.http://images.mooseyscountrygarden.com/mooseys-garden-tour/driveway-garden/autumn-garden-colors.jpg

  • Wednesday, May 27, 6 – 7:30 pm – Public Meeting to Discuss Safety Improvements & Maintenance Projects Along Storrow Drive

    The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has scheduled a public meeting on May 27 to update the community on a number of safety improvements and maintenance projects along Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road, and the Charles River Esplanade. The meeting will be Wednesday, May 27, from 6 – 7:30 pm at 100 Cambridge Street, 2nd Floor, in Conference Rooms B/C/D. The work involves repairing and replacing guardrails, replacing damaged steel picket fence sections, improving drainage along sections of both parkways, repainting sections of historic Boston Pattern fencing, and replacing the equipment and surface at the fitness area near the Sherborn Street Pedestrian Bridge. Improvements also will be made to bicycle and walking paths. At the meeting, DCR also will discuss the proposed fence around Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields on the Esplanade.The projects, which will cost an estimated $4 million, began last March and are scheduled to be complete at the end of June. Funding for the projects comes from the $1.7 billion Energy and Environment Bond Bill signed by Governor Patrick in August 2008.  For more information, you may email mass.parks@state.ma.us.

  • Thursday, May 21, 5:30 – 7:30 – The Esplanade Association’s Eighth Annual Meeting

    You are cordially invited to attend The Esplanade Association’s Eighth Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 21, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, at The Hampshire House, 84 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108.  The keynote address is entitled “The Leadership Challenge of Having a ‘Green’ Mission.” In the midst of tough economic times, how do we care for the beautiful and historic Charles River Esplanade as it enters its second century?  RSVP by May 18 to Justin Burke, 617-227-0365, x 110, or email jburke@esplanadeassociation.org.