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DCR Prepares for Hurricane Irene
August 26, 2011
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is taking steps to prepare for the high winds and heavy rainfall that are predicted this weekend as Hurricane Irene passes through the Commonwealth. During the course of Friday and Saturday, DCR is undertaking measures to institute a phased closure of its facilities statewide.
Read the full press release
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TEA Rocks the Dock
July 28, 2011
The Esplanade Association and Community Boating, Inc. hosted a dance party on the newly constructed Community Boating dock on July 28th. The evening included delicious BBQ, music, entertainment by Javier Salort and his team from World Rhythms Dance & Fitness, and music to dance into the night. Proceeds from the evening went to benefit the groups' efforts to protect and enhance the Esplanade.
Thank you to all who attended beautiful evening! View the photo gallery
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Charles River Esplanade Honored by National Parks Organization
June 26, 2011, Beacon Hill Patch
The Esplanade was named a “Frontline Park” by City Parks Alliance, a national urban park advocacy organization based in Washington D.C.
Each month the alliance recognizes two parks from across the country that highlight 'urban excellence, innovation and stewardship' amid problems like shrinking municipal budgets, land use pressures and neighborhood decay. The other park selected was the Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark in Houston, Texas.
“We selected The Charles River Esplanade for recognition because it exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships to create and maintain urban parks that build community and make our cities sustainable and vibrant,” said Catherine Nagel, executive director of City Parks Alliance.
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Family Fun in the Sun
June 19, 2011
On Sunday, June 19th, The Esplanade Association (TEA) hosted its first Sunday Fun in the Park program of the season, complete with Kids Fishing off the River Dock, Gentle Beginners Yoga with Tatiana Nekrasova, Family Fun Yoga with Karen Fabian, Free Coconut Water from VitaCoco, and Parkland Games with Knucklebones.
Families got a chance to have a fun-filled day packed with free activities for everyone while soaking up the sun on the beautiful Charles River Esplanade. The event was open to the public and ran from 2pm – 4pm, attracting hundreds of parents, kids, and people of all ages from all across the Boston area. Many thanks to all those TEA supporters who volunteered their time to make the afternoon possible. Join TEA for more Sunday Fun in the Park on July 24th, August 21st and September 11th.
Click here to view more photos of the event.
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TEA Hosts Esplanade Tour for Common Boston Week 2011
June 18, 2011
To celebrate Beacon Hill during Common Boston Week 2011, The Esplanade Association led a tour of the Esplanade from the Teddy Ebersol's Red Sox Fields to the Hatch Shell, presenting and discussing the series of projects that a number of organizations have collaborated on to restore and enhance the Esplanade and surrounding areas. The tour was led by TEA's Chris Timmel, Jim Duane, and the DCR's Karl Haglund.
Many thanks to LivableStreets Alliance, Community Boating, Inc., Boston Society of Architects, and the DCR for their contributions. Learn more about Common Boston.
Click here to view more photos of the event.
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Esplanade Playspace Groundbreaking Celebration
June 16, 2011
The Friends of the Esplanade Playspace commemorated the upcoming July groundbreaking by holding a fun filled celebration on June 16th. Hill House and Knucklebones provided games and activities while Whole Foods and Starbucks provided refreshments. Elected officials, community members, and many eager children joined in on the festivities. The playspace's estimated completion is October 2011. TEA congratulates everyone involved in making this project a reality!
Click here to view more photos of the event.
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TEA Celebrates 10 Years at Annual Meeting
May 19, 2011
The Esplanade Association held its 10th Annual Meeting on May 19th attracting a crowd of 100 people that included oganization members, elected officials, community partners, and private citizens interested in learning about TEA's activities these last ten years and their aspirations for the future.
Commissioner Edward M. Lambert, Jr., Department of Conservation and Recreation, presented an uplifiting and supportive keynote address, while TEA board members shared highlights of past accomplishments in addition to a well received presentation on the work going into the organization's park vision, Esplanade 2020. TEA thanks all its members, donors, volunteers for their continued support over these last ten years, and looks forward to working to restore and enhance the park these next ten years.
Click here to view more photos from the event.
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TEA Urges Public to Review MA Bill H.1169 which Seeks to Protect Sunlight in Boston Parks
April 25, 2011
The Esplanade Association wants to call your attention to Massachusetts House Bill H.1169, An Act Protecting Sunlight in Certain Parks, sponsored by Reps. Marty Walz and Byron Rushing.
The bill seeks to expand and clarify current laws that protect the sunlight on the Garden and Common. Specifically, the bill would prohibit any new construction or building remodeling from blocking sunlight and casting new shadows on six additional public parks, including the Esplanade. TEA supports the bill in principle and urges you to evaluate it. Click here to review the bill and consider signing an online petition of supportl. The petition will be available until May 30th.
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DCR Public Meeting on Esplanade Playspace Construction Schedule
April 14, 2011
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) held a public meeting on April 14th to discuss the construction schedule for a new playground on the Charles River Esplanade near DCR’s Hatch Shell. The proposal for a new play space comes from a coalition of Boston families who have agreed to provide all the necessary funding for the design and construction of the play space. This was the third public meeting on the project.
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Esplanade's Trimbloid X Sculpture Removed for Restoration
April 13, 2011
Thanks to the Boston Preservation Alliance & DCR, Trimbloid X was temporarily removed on April 13th to undergo needed restoration and preservation.
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MassDOT holds Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation Project Public Meeting
April 11, 2011
The Massashusetts Department of Transportation is undertaking a major project to restore and rehabilitate the historic Longfellow Bridge across the Charles River. The bridge is an important multi-modal link and a visual, architectural, and engineering icon. An Early Action Contract was issued in 2010 to address key issues in the short term while final design activities are underway. MassDOT worked with the Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation Task Force from June to October 2010 to gather input on how space on the bridge would be allocated among all users. Continue reading for a project update provided by MassDOT.
Click here for the meeting presentation.
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Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary Task Force Discuss Expansion Alternatives
March 2, 2011
The MEEI Task Force will meet to discuss alternatives that the MEEI be requested to study and submit in the next phase of the IMPNF/PNF review process.
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Boston Conservation Commission Reviews Esplanade Playspace
February 16, 2011
Click here to read the meeting minutes
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TEA Welcomes New DCR Commissioner
January 24, 2011
TEA would like to give a warm welcome to our newly appointed DCR Commissioner, Edward M. Lambert, who will be taking office on February 7, 2011. Currently the director of the UMass Dartmouth Urban Initiative, where he helped create the Massachusetts Gateway Cities Coalition that seeks to develop a statewide urban agenda and shape state policy and legislation, Ed has over 30 years of governmental experience at the state and local levels. In addition to serving 12 years as mayor of one of Massachusetts’ largest cities, Fall River, where he worked on urban redevelopment, economic development, improving and building schools, providing effective municipal services, and a range of public policy issues, he also was elected to 4 terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and served more than 20 years on the Fall River School Committee. He also possesses experience as an administrator of a non-profit and has a background in human services and education. His career has provided him with a vast understanding of the current issues facing many of the Commonwealth’s urban areas and the experience to build partnership between community leaders. We know he will do great things as DCR Commissioner, making it a point to protect, promote, and enhance Massachusetts’ 450,000 acres of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the health of our environment and the residents of this great state.
TEA would also like to thank Rick Sullivan for his years of service as DCR Commissioner. Because of his interest and commitment to the Esplanade, TEA has been able to accomplish a great deal with our partnership, one of which includes the replacement of the Community Boating Docks scheduled to open this spring. TEA wishes Rick all the best as he continues with his new venture as Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
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“They say the Boston parklands form an emerald necklace around our great city. I say the Esplanade is the complementary bracelet that completes the outfit. It’s a special place for relaxation, exercise, entertainment, solitude.”
Jeff Bellows
Vice-President, The Esplanade Association, 2004-2005
The Esplanade Association
376 Boylston Street, Suite 503
Boston, MA 02116
617.227.0365
