News
Reviving the Esplanade
February 14, 2012
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| Millions of visitors have been inspired by the Fourth of July celebration at the Esplanade, the park that runs along the Charles from the BU Bridge to the Museum of Science. But some stretches of the famous park, like the Bowker Bridge above, are hardly uplifting. In fact, some bridges pose barriers for people maneuvering wheelchairs or baby carriages. Last Thursday, the Esplanade Association, which raises money and maintains the waterfront respite created in 1910, presented to the public a long-term plan to refurbish and upgrade this bit of nature in the city. |
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| Imagine this Bowker Bridge instead of that, says Esplanade Association ED Sylvia Salas. |
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| Sylvia tells us that it's one of several improvements contemplated by dozens of landscape architects, engineers, horticulturalists, and CRE folks working for two years on a plan to revive the scruffy parts of the 63 acres of waterfront public space. It's clear that beautiful, well-maintained parks enhance real estate values and attract businesses to move nearby, she says. But the public won't be asked for new funds to pay for the project, which doesn?t have a price tag yet—her association will raise money and the state will use already-allocated funds. Sylvia says to count on public hearings to sort it all out. |
