Esplanade Cambridge Community Service 

Mission Statement

We are the residents of the Esplanade Condominiums in East Cambridge; we are committed to keeping our neighborhood clean and safe for all to enjoy.  Our mission includes picking up trash, building working relationships with civic and commercial neighbors, and advocating for the natural resources on Cambridge Parkway situated along the Charles River Basin.

Why?

The grass, trees and pathways are untended along Cambridge Parkway and heavily used by pedestrians walking to/from work and home or enjoying views of the city and Charles River. On most days, there are cyclists on BLUEbikes, runners of all abilities, tour groups on motorized scooters, young families with carriages, elders in wheelchairs or walkers, daycare groups and dog owners.  Trash and dog-poop bags are left behind by visitors because receptacles are nowhere in sight.

How we’ll do it

Our group’s work will begin to address the areas of need that received the most support in our survey. Residents who expressed interest in leading/co-leading subgroups to improve our neighborhood will soon be contacted.  

Tied most votes in the survey:

·      Cleanup of Cambridge Parkway (specifying areas, tools, safety, trash disposal)

·      Build relationships with commercial entities on Cambridge Parkway (Royal Sonesta Hotel, Charlesgate Yacht Club, Alexandria and 55 Cambridge Parkway)

Next two:

·      Coordinate and work with the Charles River Conservancy, CREW Stewards and Vegetation monitoring, and fall cleanup

·      Build relationships and cooperation with the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

Final:

·      Consider doing more planting and pruning on our own, including planting flowers, trees, shrubs, working with the Charlesgate Yacht Club

If you have any questions or are interested in more information, please feel free to contact us!   Mary Lee Dunn (maryleedunn@gmail.com) and Linda Felter (lfelter555@gmail.com)