This weekend will be a big one along the Charles River as advocates for the waterway will host a cleanup Saturday and on Sunday will hold a canoe and kayak race.
The Charles River Watershed Association provided the following information:
River Cleanup
On Saturday, April 28 at 9 a.m., Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) will sponsor the Earth Day Charles River Cleanup. Volunteers from over 35 Massachusetts towns will work together at 104 sites along the Charles River to remove litter and beautify the river and its surrounding parklands.
The largest one-day river cleanup in the country, this annual event brings together people from corporate, community and youth groups to protect the Charles River, an important natural resource for our whole community. After the Cleanup, volunteers will relax at one of three picnics, including a celebration at DCR’s Fiedler Field on the Esplanade.
WHO: Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is the leading science and advocacy nonprofit protecting and restoring the Charles River and its watershed.
Event Speakers:
- Kate Bowditch, Charles River Watershed Association
- Jenny Norwood, Director of External Affairs and Partnerships, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
- State Senator William Brownsberger
Event Partners:
- Charles River Conservancy
- Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
- Emerald Necklace Conservancy
- Esplanade Association
- State Senator Will Brownsberger’s office
- Waltham Land Trust
WHEN:
Saturday, April 28, 2018
9:00 am-12:00 pm: Volunteers will pick up litter at 104 sites along the Charles River
12:00-12:30 pm : Speaking program at DCR’s Fiedler Field
12:30-1:00: Picnic lunch for 200 volunteers at DCR’s Fiedler Field
WHERE:
Sites all along the Charles River, from Boston to Bellingham. For information about a specific town or region please contact Alexandra Ash at aash@crwa.org.
Picnics will be held at the following three locations:
DCR’s Fiedler Field, next to Hatch Memorial Shell, 47 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02108
12:00pm-1:00pm
Blue Heron Trail, Next to Bleachery Dam, Waltham, MA, 12:00pm- 1:00pm
Stoddard Park, Stoddard Park Road, Holliston, MA 01746, 12:00pm- 1:00pm
Earth Day Charles River Cleanup Sponsors:
Cleanup Champion: Sarepta Therapeutics
Cleanup Advocates: Pfizer, Kind, Massachusetts Service Alliance, Corporation for National & Community Service, Cabot and Whole Foods Market, Home Works Energy, Eversource
Cleanup Supporters: American Rivers, MIT, Boston University, Cadmus, CDM Smith, Charles River Canoe & Kayak, and Woodward & Curran, Wellesley Bank, Boston Marriott Newton Hotel, Chipotle, Power Crunch, Perfect Dental
Cleanup Friends: Auburndale Builders, Budget Dumpster, Charlesgate Yacht Club, Community Boating, The Discovery Museum, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Newton Yacht Club, Inc., Spaulding, Stop & Shop and White Corporation, Wegmans, Boston Solar, River Street Family Dental
View the Cleanup website for more information, www.charlesriver.org/charles-river-cleanup
Grant Competition
This month, CRWA is participating in a $15,000 challenge grant competition for excellence in protecting and nurturing the urban environment. The contest, sponsored by JetBlue for Good’s GreenUp campaign recognizes organizations that have had a positive impact on the environment. Participants can vote every day through the end of April at www.jetblueforgood.com/GreenUp.
Canoe and Kayaking Race
Kick off the paddling season on April 29, 2018 with the 36th Run of the Charles. As Charles River Watershed Associations signature event, the Run of the Charles is the largest flat-bottomed boat race in New England and a major event in Greater Boston, where it draws an average of 1,400 racers and thousands more spectators each year!
Races start in Dedham, Needham, Newton, and Brighton and all races finish at DCR’s Artesani Park on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton where race fans and families gather to enjoy a day of music, refreshments, exhibits, raffles, picnics and awards at the free Finish Line Festival.
Canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddling enthusiasts from throughout the US and Canada compete in a variety of races, including:
- 24-Mile Corporate Relay
- 24-Mile Non-Corporate Relay – government, women, mixed and open classes
- 19-Mile Races
- 9-Mile Races
- 6-Mile Races
For more information about the Run of the Charles click here.