For the first time in sixty years, Charlesgate Park is being reconnected to Boston’s Greenspace Network. Join Emerald Necklace Conservancy President Karen Mauney-Brodek and Parker James of the Charlesgate Alliance for a guided tour through Charlesgate Park, the pivotal 13-acre link uniting the Emerald Necklace, the Esplanade, and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Meet at the corner of Charlesgate East and Beacon Street. RSVP at https://emeraldnecklace.org.
Emerald Necklace Conservancy President Karen Mauney-Brodek will lead participants through Charlesgate Park to the Riverway. The June walking tour was cut short due to rain, so Karen is back to finish the walk. Meet at The Grove at Charlesgate Park on Saturday, September 13 at 9 am. Register at https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/
Join Emerald Necklace Conservancy President Karen Mauney-Brodek for the Annual Walk of the entire Olmsted-designed Emerald Necklace on June 7. Take in the sights, sounds and scale of these historic parks on a guided tour stretching from Franklin Park to Charlesgate. Rain Date June 8. Meet at Refectory Hill, Franklin Park, Boston 02115. Register at https://emeraldnecklace.org/. Do we need to say wear comfortable shoes?
On Saturday, July 20. walk the Emerald Necklace with Karen Mauney-Brodek, President of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, This annual event is a 6 mile urban hike, taking walkers from Franklin Park in Dorchester to the mouth of the Muddy River in Charlesgate Park. Meet at the Shattuck Picnic Grove in Franklin Park. Register at www.emeraldnecklace.org
Join the Emerald Necklace Conservancy at our 2019 Annual Meeting as we explore the intersection of parks and health with several engaging short presentations. Also hear from President Karen Mauney-Brodek as we recap the success of our 20th Anniversary and share plans for 2019 and beyond. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session with our speakers and a reception. The event takes place Monday, April 8 from 6 – 8:30 at the Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, Simmons University, 300 The Fenway, Boston.
Speakers Include:
…with more to be announced!
Registration is FREE, but strongly recommended.
Join the Emerald Necklace Conservancy on Thursday, March 22 at the Landmark Center, 8th floor, 401 Park Drive, in celebration of its 20th anniversary. Hosted by Conservancy President Karen Mauney-Brodek, the Annual Meeting, Parks as Infrastructure for Living, will feature a series of succinct presentations from area thought leaders on the multifaceted role of parks in the urban setting. Topics and speakers include:
Water
Pallavi Kalia Mande, Charles River Watershed Association
Infrastructure
Dan Adams & Marie Law Adams, LANDING STUDIO
Access
Peter Costa & Alyson Fletcher, Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates
Art
Jen Mergel, Public Art Curator
RSVP at https://www.emeraldnecklace.org/events/annualmeeting/ by March 15! Doors open at 5:30, and at 6 pm the series of seven minute presentations will begin. At 7, there will be a reception and conversation. Come to the from entrance of the Landmark Center (the old Sears Building for those who remember that far back). Parking is $15 with event validation. Host Sponsor is Samuels & Associates, and FOCUS Real Estate also is a sponsor of this event.
Lace ’em Up: No Ordinary Tour: On Saturday, June 3 beginning at 8 am, walk the entire Olmsted Emerald Necklace. Enjoy a seven-mile walk on a spring day through Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace—from the Fens to Franklin Park— with Conservancy President Karen Mauney-Brodek and some very special guests. Brief stops along the way will allow participants see recent park improvements and hear about the exciting things to come for the Emerald Necklace, considered by many to be one of the greatest park systems ever designed.
Starting at the Shattuck Visitor Center, the walk will traverse the Back Bay Fens to Charlesgate and continue along to the restored Muddy River, where the brand new Justine Mee Liff Park takes center stage overlooking the recently day-lighted river. From there, walkers will stroll the banks of the river along the Riverway, glimpsing, perhaps, the turtles and herons that are frequent visitors. Iconic structures loom large in this park—the picturesque Round House, bridle path and granite bridges.
Next up is Olmsted Park with its scenic waterways and ponds and on to Jamaica Pond where we’ll stop for a lunch break at Pinebank Promontory before heading to the Arnold Arboretum for some floral sights and scents. The walk continues on to Franklin Park, which Olmsted himself considered to be one of his greatest achievements. Participants will enjoy vistas that transport the viewer back in time — Schoolmaster Hill, the 99 Steps and Ellicott Arch, to name a few. This event has reached its capacity, but people’s plan change, so contact Jeanie Knox at jknox@emeraldnecklace.org or call 617-522-2700 to join the waiting list.
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, a nonprofit organization based in Boston dedicated to the renewal, maintenance and advocacy for the Emerald Necklace parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, appointed Karen Mauney-Brodek as President.
Mauney-Brodek joins the Emerald Necklace Conservancy from the City of San Francisco’s Parks Department, where she served as the Community Opportunity Fund Program Manager and led communication, outreach, planning, design and construction of several public park renovation projects, including both external and internal stakeholder management.
She was also the project leader for the Glen Canyon Park Improvement Plan and developed, implemented and managed a plan for over $20 million in capital investment. Prior to joining San Francisco Parks, Mauney-Brodek was Chief of the Design Build Program in the Design & Construction Division of the New York Department of Parks and Recreation — the largest municipal parks department in the United States — managing $15-20 million annually for building and maintenance in the city’s 100 parks and playgrounds.
“Karen has a wonderful track record of park experience in New York and San Francisco and a tremendous passion for the role that parks play in the life of any city. She has the ability to work well with our public partners and other stakeholders who care deeply about and use the parks,” said Emerald Necklace Conservancy Board Chair Ben Taylor.
In response to her recent appointment, Mauney Brodek said, “I am honored to be part of the next chapter of the story of the Emerald Necklace and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. We are in a unique position to steward this marvelous park system and work with all of our partners to provide an amazing park experience.”
