Boston Flora

Tag: Esplanade Association

  • Garden Club of the Back Bay Announces 2015 Grants

    At the Annual Meeting of The Garden Club of the Back Bay, held May 11 at The College Club of Boston, the membership voted to approve the following recommendations of the Executive Committee.  Co-Presidents Jackie Blombach and Jolinda Taylor were pleased to announce that, in addition to $20,000 to be spent directly by our Club for Back Bay tree care (primarily pruning and inoculation), other not-for-profit organizations will benefit from our fund raising efforts throughout the year, primarily our Twilight Garden Party and Holiday Wreath Sale.

    $5,000 to the Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee for its tree care program, Dutch elm disease monitoring, and soil improvement.

    $5,000 to the Friends of the Public Garden for inoculation against Dutch elm disease for certain Belgium elm street trees not located on the Mall, planted beyond Massachusetts Avenue.

    $4,000 to The Esplanade Association for its tree care program and planning, including updating inventory and data manipulation.

    $3,000 to the Boston Nature Center of the Massachusetts Audubon Society to support scholarships for summer camp for children ages 5 – 14 from local neighborhoods of Mattapan, Roslindale, Roxbury and Jamaica Plain.

    $3,000 to the Emerald Necklace Conservancy for the planting of perennials in the Fenway.

    $2,000 to the Charles River Cleanup Boat for general operating expenses.

    $2,000 to the Trustees of Reservations/Boston Natural Areas Network in support of the MBTA Indigo Line/Fairmount Indigo Line Project, which will convert City-owned vacant lots along the rail corridor into parks and gardens.  This donation will help convert a vacant lot at Windermere Road in Uphams Corner.

    $1,500 to the Friends of Copley Square for treating trees with fertilizer and fungicide for root stress.

    $1,000 to the Blossom Fund of the Boston Committee of the Garden Club of America in recognition of its 25th Anniversary.

    We thank all our contributors and patrons whose generosity allows us to make these grants.  We hope to see many of you at this year’s Twilight Garden Party on June 4.

  • Saturday, September 26 – Moondance Gala

    Save the date for The Moondance Gala on the banks of the Charles River, taking place Saturday, September 26.  This benefit for The Esplanade Association is making life better in the park, from the ground up.  Sip seasonal cocktails, dine on a delectable farm-to-table menu, dance the night away under the stars, and celebrate the restoration of the iconic Hatch Shell Lawn.  For sponsorship opportunities contact mwood@esplanadeassociation.org.

  • Sunday, October 26, 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm – Annual Canine Promenade

    The Esplanade Association’s Annual Canine Promenade is just around the corner.  Don’t miss your chance to join them for this adorable parade of pets dressed in festive holiday costumes.  After the parade, attendees may enjoy coffee, treats, demonstrations, and more.  Whether you are a pet owner or spectator, this is one event that can be enjoyed by everyone.  Visit www.esplanadeassociation.org if you wish to register your dog, or for more information.  Meet at Fiedler Field on Sunday, October 26 at noon.

  • Esplanade Association Appoints Tani Marinovich Interim Executive Director

    The Esplanade Association is happy to announce that Tani Marinovich, Director of Development, has been named Interim Executive Director for the organization by the  Board of Directors. Tani has formally been with the Association for over two years, and prior to that co-founded the Friends of the Esplanade Playspace that helped raise $1.2 million to build a state-of-the-art playground in the park. For information on what’s happening on the Esplanade, visit www.esplanadeassociation.org.

  • Eliot Memorial Revitalization Project Update

    W thought we would share an update from the Esplanade Association on the Eliot Memorial project we here at The Garden Club of the Back Bay have helped fund during the past three years:

    “We have seeded the grass, installed stone dust around the memorial and added 6 new Shurcliff benches and 2 new curved benches. The 32-foot curved benches around the Memorial are proving very popular and are often occupied with people reading or waiting for Community Boating participants. The entry to Community Boating itself is now a welcoming spot with beautiful plantings and rationalized pathways resulting in less asphalt and more green.
    Our maintenance plans are already underway. The shrubs and groundcovers survived the winter well, though a few are being replaced. The grass has been seeded and is coming is well, although a few spots will likely need to be over-seeded later this summer. We plan to leave the short fencing up around the grassy areas until after the Fourth of July crowds.

    We believe that great parks help make communities great … Public spaces provide an important connection to nature for urban dwellers, both rich and poor.  A successful public space involves thoughtful design and an achievable maintenance strategy.  Once built, the space engages park users and provides a myriad of benefits to the physical and mental health of individuals and to the economic vitality of an area.

    We thank you again for your support of the creation of a great new gathering spot in the park.  This is one of the very few well-framed spaces on the Esplanade where small groups can gather and feel comfortable.  The area displays a wonderful balance of enclosure and openness which will get even better as the plants grow in.  The project also demonstrates critical aspects of proper horticultural maintenance that will inform our future efforts.”

    For more information about the Esplanade, visit www.esplanadeassociation.org.

  • Wednesday, June 25, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Tree Huggers at the Esplanade Playspace

    The Esplanade Association will be hosting the first ever Tree Huggers event, at the Esplanade Playspace, on Wednesday, June 25th, from 3:00 – 4:00pm. We invite you and your children to join us for an hour of fun, hands on activities, where we will learn more about the local environment and the nature that exists in the park. We will take a closer look at the squirrels that call the park home and the learn all about the beautiful trees that keep us shaded in the playspace.

    The Esplanade Association has formed the Tree Huggers program as a vehicle to educate children about their local environment while also engaging them in activities that promote park stewardship. As the inaugural Tree Huggers event, we have partnered with local educators to help make this a memorable day at the Esplanade Playspace. We hope that this can be the first of a series of engaging activities to get children interested in science while teaching them the importance of environmental awareness and preservation.

    Activities will be geared toward children ages 5-10, but all are welcome to come and participate.

    Please RSVP by June 18th to lleblanc@esplanadeassociation.org if you are able to attend in order for us to prepare for this fun event.

  • Sunday, June 15, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Fun in the Park: Parkland Games

    Sunday is a day of rest, but it doesn’t mean you have to. Have a little fun! Sunday Fun in the Park is a community day promoting healthy living and sense of place. Though geared towards youth and families, there are a variety of activities for all ages, from music and fishing to games and arts & crafts.

    All Sunday Fun in the Park activities are free and open to the public. Activities run from 2:00–4:00pm and are located at the Fiedler Field (near the Hatch Shell and the Fiedler Footbridge). For more information visit www.esplanadeassociation.org.

    Parkland Games
    “A unique opportunity for family, friends, neighbors, and entire communities to come together to play!” Knucklebones, a recreational programming company dedicated to inspiring athletics for all ages for the love of play, will be providing a variety of games geared towards every age group. Whether you want to try hoola hooping, volleyball, bocce, field hockey or corn hole, we have games for all ages and welcome you to get out there and have some fun!

    Fishing off the Docks
    Reel ‘em in! TEA offers kids enthusiastic to fish a chance to catch as many as they can off of the River Dock. Grab a rod and try your hand at nabbing one!.

    Model Boat Sailing
    Parents and kids can learn to maneuver miniature model boats on the Charles River.

  • Saturday, May 31, 1:00 pm – The Esplanade 5K Dash

    Created in partnership between Hill House and the Esplanade Association, this 5K race, to be held Saturday, May 31 at 1 pm, brings our local community together to celebrate the beauty of the Esplanade. Runners of all ages can compete for medals, enjoy the post race activities and just have fun.

    Held in conjunction with Hill House’s annual Backyard Dash family event, the Esplanade 5K Dash will start and end at Fiedler Field. The course loops along the Boston side of the Esplanade, allowing runners to enjoy views of both Boston and Esplanade landmarks like the Hatch Shell and the Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields.

    A portion of the proceeds from this event will help to fund the Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields. Both Hill House and the Esplanade Association are non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the urban experience for members in our community. Registration fees are $30 for pre-registration and $35 for on-site registration.  Bibs and T-shirts will be distributed on the day of the race at the registration tables.  For complete information visit http://www.hillhouseboston.org/Calendar_of_Events/The_Esplanade_5K_Dash.htm.

  • Kate Fichter Named New Executive Director of The Esplanade Association

    The Esplanade Association is pleased to welcome Kate Fichter as its new Executive Director. Kate has extensive experience in civic design, project management, and long-term planning, having worked for both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. A native Bostonian, she grew up in the Back Bay and has known the Esplanade since her childhood. She is a graduate of the
    University of Chicago and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

    Kate will be taking over from Margo Newman, The Esplanade Association’s Executive Board Chair, who has graciously been our interim volunteer Executive Director for the past year. Kate’s duties will include direction of all the operations of the organization, including capital projects, program activities, park care, and advocacy. To read more about The Esplanade Association, visit www.esplanadeassociation.org.

    http://www.eot.state.ma.us/massdotnewsletter/images/36/KateFichter.jpg

  • Thursday, March 27, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Esplanade Stories

    Margo Newman will share famous historical stories related to the Charles River Esplanade on Thursday, March 27, from 6 – 7:30 pm at the University Club of Boston, 426 Stuart Street.  The event is sponsored by The Esplanade Association.  For more information visit www.esplanadeassociation.org.

    http://www.esplanadeassociation.org/wp-content/themes/tea1/i/about-park-banner.jpg