Bringing the Charles River parks to you...

Dear Friend of the Charles River,

Over the past several months, we have "visited" many of the parks along the urban Charles River, discovered their history, and explored their fascinating native plants through this newsletter. Behind the scenes, our staff also continued to advance the CRC's initiatives, and made landmark accomplishments installing our Floating Wetland and starting restoration of Hell's Half Acre, both of which were featured in this series.

As Massachusetts continues to manage the threat of COVID-19, considerable uncertainty remains. But one thing has become clear: our parks and public greenspaces are essential resources. Throughout the pandemic, our parks have consistently and safely supported our physical and mental health. As you visit these important places, we ask that you continue to adhere to MassDCR guidelines for safe park use.

This is our final Bringing The Parks to You newsletter. You can review the entire series on our website.

Bringing the parks to you...

A VIRTUAL TOUR

We've explored some of the many parks along the urban Charles River, and dug into their fascinating histories, through this newsletter. Now you can learn about these places and their pasts at your own pace through our Google Earth tour. We hope you will join us (virtually) along the river!

Virtual Tour

"The Charles River is an immensely valuable resource, right in the heart of our city. We strive to make the river and its parks a well-maintained network of natural urban places that invite and engage all in their use and stewardship."

Laura Jasinski

Charles River Conservancy

MORE READING

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of greenspace, but it has also led to park restrictions for certain areas. Such park closures disproportionately impact low-income communities of color. Read commentary from WBUR: "Shutting Down Parks Won't Stop The Rise In Mass. COVID-19 Cases."

Time and time again, research confirms the positive impacts of spending time in nature. But Amy Souers Kober of American Rivers believes that spending time by rivers specifically can add additional benefits. Read her take: "How walking along rivers changes your brain."

Along the 80 miles of the Charles River, researchers are finding that rose mallows are making a comeback! The flowering plant reaches peak bloom in mid-August and is one of the 19 native species planted on the Charles River Floating Wetland. Read more from The Boston Globe: "Along the Charles River, rose mallows make a spectacular summer display."

Racist and classist policies have shaped the physical space of cities. "Horizontal Development" offers an alternative guide to urban development that centers the margins, highlights diversity, and celebrates place. Learn more from the Design Studio for Social Intervention and the University of Orange: "Horizontal Development: Equitable Development for City-Makers."

STAYING CONNECTED

Native plants bring beauty and balance to our local ecosystems and parks! This spring and summer, we invited you to submit to our Native Plant Photo Contest. The results were breathtaking. Check out some of the gorgeous submissions on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

During the pandemic, we have used our social media channels to keep you connected to the parks and to each other. We hope you will join us!

We appreciate your ongoing support so that we can continue to steward the Charles River and its parks, a resource that is more important than ever.

Support Our Work