Advocacy

Advocacy

• The conservancy advocates to preserve and protect the special resources of the Olmsted park system and to establish these historic parks as destinations for fun and free healthy activity. Along with our park overseers, who represent more than 20 park friend groups, organizations and institutions, the conservancy works to restore and maintain the parks, provide public education and improve access to, and through, the Emerald Necklace.

• Much of the work of the conservancy is advocacy, from supporting the parks and environment budgets at the local, state and federal levels of government to advocating for specific legislation ranging from the federal support for the Muddy River restoration project to updating the Bottle Bill in the Commonwealth. Current issues on the conservancy advocacy agenda include: updating the Bottle Bill to include redemption of water and sports drink containers, state legislation to require gas companies to fix gas leaks that kill trees, and increasing state funding for parks and parkways.

• Accessibility
• The conservancy convenes its private and public partners to study and make recommendations to the transportation and parks departments of Boston, Brookline and the Commonwealth to improve non-motorized access to and between the Emerald Necklace parks and other greenway systems. Current initiatives seek to make walking, biking and rolling easier at the Casey Arborway in Forest Hills, at crossings to Jamaica Pond, at Route 9 and the Riverway, at Charlesgate, and between the path in the Back Bay Fens and the Southwest Corridor Park path near the Museum of Fine Arts.

• Muddy River Flood Control, Water Quality, Habitat Enhancement,
• and Historic Preservation
• In 1996 and 1998, the Muddy River experienced two major floods, causing more than $90 million in damages to homes, institutions, and the MBTA. This prompted the Muddy River Restoration Project, a joint effort by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston and the Town of Brookline to reduce the likelihood of another flood and to improve the overall health of the river. The Emerald Necklace Conservancy collaborates closely with public partners and community groups in this important and historic wetlands restoration and remediation project; and is an active participant in the oversight committee.

• The goals of the project include improving flood control; water quality; enhancement of aquatic and riparian habitat; rehabilitation of landscape and historic resources; and implementation of best management practices. Construction of phase one of the project is set to begin shortly with the excavation of the underground section of the Muddy River at the Sears Rotary and reconfiguration of the roadways in the area between Avenue Louis Pasteur, Brookline Avenue, and the Riverway. Improvements in pedestrian and bicycle access will also be made as a result of these changes. The first stage of this work involves relocated utilities in the vicinity of the Landmarks Center.

• For additional information on upcoming meetings and volunteer opportunities, graphics, maps, photos and further contact information please visit the Muddy River Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (MMOC) website at www.muddyrivermmoc.org and the U.S. Army Corps website at www.nae.usace.army.mil/projects/muddyRiver.htm.