Cambridge Science Festival

Join the CRC September 28th at the MIT Museum

We're excited to bring the CRC's work to the community through the Cambridge Science Festival! The Festival is a week-long, annual celebration of science, technology, engineering,

art, and math (STEAM). A multifaceted, multicultural event, the Festival makes science accessible, interactive, and fun. Join the CRC on September 28th for these events!

• At 12 PM, kayak with the CRC to visit the Charles River’s first floating wetland. Please reserve your ticket early to guarantee a spot!
• At 2 PM, help envision future floating wetland installations through an educational activity. No reservation required.

Advocacy

Harvard ERC

The first public forum for the Harvard Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) and Greenway Plan happened at the beginning of September. CRC Executive Director Laura Jasinski is part of the Advisory Group that will review the recommendations that emerge from the planning process. The proposed greenway aims to connect the Honan-Allston Branch Library to the Western Avenue Bridge at the Charles River. This plan seeks to establish community priorities on transportation needs, resilience, and an accessible and active open space. Stay tuned for information about the next public meeting happening in March 2024. For more information and to share your thoughts on the project, click here. 

Photo via https://www.bostonplans.org

Eliot Bridge Preservation Project

An in-person, public information meeting on the Eliot Bridge Preservation project will be held on September 21st at 6:30PM, at the Fiorentino Center (123 Antwerp Street, Allston, MA 02134). The meeting is hosted by MassDOT with an anticipation to start the project in Spring 2024 that may require detours and lane shifts. Attend the meeting to share your views! For more information, click here.

Photo via mass.gov

Charlesbank Landing

The Esplanade Association (EA), in partnership with DCR, is embarking on a project, Charlesbank Landing, to bring a year-round Esplanade Riverfront Pavilion visitors center! The CRC commends the public-private partnership as it sets an important precedent to enable necessary park improvements and care for our state parks. The CRC recently submitted public comments as part of the of the project's permitting process, emphasizing approaches for creating a fully public and accessible space for all, and ensuring sustainable design and operations that supports the Charles River and its parks.

Photo via https://esplanade.org/charlesbank/  

CRC Volunteers

August Recap

The summer season is wrapping up but we are still in the full swing of the CRC’s volunteer season! Thank you to our enthusiastic volunteers this month.

• DivcoWest removed litter, painted benches, and cut back invasive porcelain berry at North Point Park.
• Harvard Law painted benches, removed litter, and cared for the garden beds at Herter Park.
• Tsai Laboratory at MIT spent the day removing litter along Memorial Drive.
• Cerevel painted benches and managed invasive species at North Point Park. 
• Many community volunteers removed litter and assisted with vegetation management at Hell's Half Acre.
• Orsted removed litter and bittersweet vines in Riverbend Park, Cambridge.
• Service Star Kids worked along Nonantum Road to remove litter.

Open Volunteer Event

Join our next open volunteer event which welcomes individuals and community members to spend a few hours caring for the parks along the Charles River.

• Saturday, October 28th, 10AM - 12PM - We will be working in the Herter Theater area, raking leaves and removing litter. To register, please email Sasha at svallieres@thecharles.org!

Supporter Spotlight

Boston Consulting Group

As one of our most devoted volunteer groups, CRC greatly appreciates the way Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has supported the Charles River and its parks over the years. BCG is grounded on a spirit of deep collaboration and a global community of diverse individuals determined to make the world and each other better every day. BCG employees have volunteered in many locations along the river, removing litter, managing invasive plants, and painting benches. They are well-seasoned CRC volunteers! Thank you to BCG for their commitment to caring for the parks along the Charles River.

Instagram Action

The CRC was at CX Summer nights and it was such a joy to chat with attendees about the CRC’s mission and ways to get involved! Follow our Instagram to see where else we'll be tabling at!