Program for:
A Renaissance on the Cambridge Side of the Charles River

Focus: A program focusing on the revitalization of the Cambridge side of the Charles River and examining the public/private partnerships that have made this possible.

Location: Cambridge Public Library (449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139)

Date & Time: Thursday, June 11, 6:30-8:30pm

Issues to explore:

• Considering the current economic climate, how can we effectively care for and revitalize our riverside parklands?
• What are models for successful public/private partnerships to guide us.
  1. Welcome by State Rep. Jay Livingstone (3-5 minutes)
  2. Short History of the Charles River Basin (8 minutes) Speaker: Charles Sullivan, Ex. Director, Cambridge Historical Commission
     • Nodes of revitalization (from funded, to needing funding)
       1. Skate Park at North Point Park, led by CRC (8 minutes)
       2. Speaker: Gina Foote, Charles River Conservancy. The Lynches and Vans are major donors. Projected completion: 2015. See: http://www.thecharles.org/projects-and-programs/skate-park/
       3. Greenough Blvd., led by Solomon Foundation (8 minutes) Speaker: Herb Nolan, Deputy Director, Solomon Foundation. They’ve raised $500k+, matched with $700k DCR. Projected completion: 2015. See: http://www.solomonfoundation.org/pages/projects/her.html
       4. Magazine Beach Park, led by the Magazine Beach Committee of the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Assn. (8 minutes) Speaker: Cathie Zusy, Chair, Magazine Beach Comm. New roof for the Powder Magazine in 2014; leasing of Magazine and landscape plans completed in 2015. Now seeking funds for implementation. See: http://magazinebeach.org/about
  3. The State (DCR) and City’s role in parkland revitalization
     Speakers: DCR’s Sr. Planner Karl Haglund
     and Cambridge’s City Manager Rich Rossi (8 minutes each)
  4. Panel Discussion about Etc. (10-15 minutes)
     1. Olympics 2024 coming to Magazine Beach? Triathlon slated for site.
     2. With rerouting of I-90, we may have a new park across the river, providing a visual and auditory buffer from the Mass. Pike.
  5. Questions & Answers – Open to the audience (about an hour)

Main points:

• Renewal of the Cambridge side of the Charles is underway in pockets.
• Funding remains an issue.
• City forefathers and Charles Eliot saw the Charles River and its parklands as a necessary resource for a growing, industrial City. People need a place to walk, cycle, and jog and to connect with nature.
• Plans for the 2024 Olympics may spur this renewal, but it should happen/ must happen regardless.

Magazine Beach

Greenough Boulevard Rendering

Lynch Family Skate Park