We are a dynamic nonprofit collaboration of citizens working to protect, restore, and beautify Boston’s historic Charles River Esplanade. One of the oldest, most dramatic, and most popular urban parks in the country, the Esplanade comprises three miles of parkland stretching along the shore of the Charles River from the Museum of Science to the Boston University Bridge.

Description:
We are dedicated to raising funds, building partnerships and recruiting volunteers to help reclaim this wonderful park and Boston landmark from decades of insufficient maintenance and neglect. Since our inception in 2001, our list of achievements has included several successful built projects, new park programming, advocacy campaigns on behalf of park improvements, and an award winning volunteer program.

Join the group that is working to restore and enhance Boston's historic Esplanade along the Charles River. We have welcomed over 3,000 volunteers to the park, all of them sharing their time and energy, making the Esplanade safe, beautiful, and more dynamic. The Esplanade Association is dedicated to raising funds, building partnerships, and recruiting volunteers to protect this historic landmark. If you treasure the Boston Esplanade as we do, we invite you to learn more about our projects and programs, and to find out how you can get involved in the Esplanade's Renaissance.

History:
One of the challenges we face in carrying out our mission is assuring an adequate amount of upkeep for the Esplanade's long neglected landscape and structures. Our park volunteer program, which we refer to as The Green Team, was started in June, 2004, to enlist the help of concerned park users and Boston residents in meeting these maintenance needs. Through a productive alliance with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the state agency charged with caring for the Esplanade, we have prioritized park requirements and have brought in over 3,000 volunteers to help paint fences, control invasive species, repair shelters, weed gardens, remove graffiti, prune trees, plant bulbs, and more. These volunteer efforts have made a significant difference in the health, safety, appearance, and vitality of the Esplanade, and the program has provided an opportunity for people to invest themselves in their communities and to learn more about their neighborhood park.

It takes a lot to keep the park running, and if you are interested in gardening, model boat sailing, data entry, painting, special events, pruning, carpentry, arts and crafts, marketing and PR, or a host of other things, we can use you!

Contact people:

Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Edwin Cancel, General Manager, (phone), (email)

Address:

10 Derne Street Boston, MA 02114 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Park Street T,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5 For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com