“Esplanade 2020” brought more than 100 stakeholders in the Charles River Esplanade together at the Boston Public Library Wednesday to share their hopes for a 10-year vision for the historic park
At the first of four planned meetings, the non-profit Esplanade Association and the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which has jurisdiction over the 3-mile-long park, solicited public feedback to help select priority projects and develop an attainable plan for the future.
Those in attendance broke into smaller groups to explore specific themes, including the park’s architecture, landscaping and accessibility, as well as activities and events on the Esplanade. The groups identified the strengths, weakness and opportunities in each category and reported their findings at the conclusion of the meeting.
Common criticisms were insufficient lighting, the need for more restrooms and the dilapidated state of the Community Boating dock.
While several groups expressed their dissatisfaction with the existing café, one group’s spokesperson suggested transforming the space into a multi-season restaurant – complete with outdoor fireplaces.
As for other opportunities, several groups pointed to the need for more public art, additional boating opportunities on the Charles River and expanded programming on the Esplanade during the winter months.
“From here, we’re trying to get groups together in each character area to further flesh out comments and develop ideas,” said John Shields, an urban designer, architect and Esplanade Association board member. “There’s a lot of respect for the Esplanade…but there’s also room for new ideas.
The next “Esplanade 2020” public session is scheduled for March 10.

While voters throughout the state historically elected GOP Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Ted Kennedy, Beacon Hill and the West End favored Democrat Martha Coakley in last Tuesday’s race.
According to the city’s unofficial election results, approximately 62 percent of Beacon Hill voters in Ward 3, Precinct 6 and Ward 5, Precincts 3, 4, 5 and 11 supported Coakley while Brown trailed at 38 percent. In the West End (Ward 3, Precinct 5), Coakley received 61 percent of the votes and Brown garnered 38 percent of the ballots cast. Citywide, 69 percent of voters favored Coakley while Brown trailed at 30 percent.
As for the turnout, 50 percent of registered voters in both Beacon Hill and the West End participated the election, compared with 43 percent of voters throughout the city.
Meanwhile, Rob Whitney, chairman of the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee, believes the ultimate outcome of the senatorial race was an aberration rather than an indication of new voting trends, both statewide and nationally.
“It was very much a reactionary push in response to the economy,” Whitney said. “I hope it was more of a rogue wave than a long-term storm.”

The Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office in Beacon Hill would like to thank the entire community for participating in the annual holiday toy campaign to assist The Home for Little Wanderers (“The Home”) during this holiday giving season.
As a result of everyone's generosity, two moving vans filled with gifts were delivered to The Home's Jamaica Plain toy room in December. Boston Blazers' Gary Bining and Daryl Veltman joined Rick Loughlin, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England, to unload the toys.
From left: Boston Blazers' Gary Bining and Daryl Veltman joined Rick Loughlin, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England, to give donated toys to Joan Wallace-Benjamin, president and CEO of The Home for Little Wanderers.

The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) recently announced that Mayor Thomas M. Menino will serve as the honorary chairman of the 28th Annual Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race on Sunday, April 25.
The Run of the Charles is held to benefit the CRWA and its efforts to protect the health, beauty and accessibility of the Charles River. The annual Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race showcases the ongoing improvements to the Charles River while drawing approximately 1,500 paddlers and thousands of spectators to enjoy a day on the river. The race features paddling races for all skill levels, from expert to beginner.
The public is welcome to join racers and celebrate Boston's Charles River at the Finish Line Festival at DCR's Artesani Park on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton. The Finish Line Festival features food, live music, awards, outdoor sports demonstrations and post-race picnics. Admission is free.
"I am very much looking forward to being a part of this year's Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race," said Menino. "As one of the nation's oldest watershed associations, The Charles River Watershed Association has played a major role in restoring the Charles River, and I am eager to support their event that helps raise awareness and appreciation for this very special Boston landmark."
The Charles River Watershed Association initiated the Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race to celebrate its work in cleaning up the Charles River. This year, the CRWA has proclaimed a "Weekend on the Charles" combining the Earth Day Charles River Cleanup on Saturday, April 24, with the Run of the Charles on Sunday, April 25. The cleanup is where hundreds of volunteers gather for a communal pick-up of trash along the banks of the river.
"It is a great honor for us to have Mayor Menino as the Honorary Chairman of this year's Run of the Charles," said CRWA Executive Director Bob Zimmerman. "A clean environment has long been a priority for Mayor Menino and his leadership has done so much good for the city of Boston. CRWA is confident that his involvement in the Run of the Charles will help further our mission of protecting, preserving and enjoying the Charles River."
The Run of the Charles brings greater public awareness to the Charles River as it offers corporations time to reflect on the importance of the Charles as an urban and rural landmark.
The Charles River Watershed Association is a non-profit organization committed to protecting and enhancing the health, beauty and accessibility of the Charles River and its tributaries and watersheds.
CRWA welcomes sponsorships for Run of the Charles. For more information on sponsorship, registration or any other aspect of the race, call 508-698-6810, e-mail rotc@crwa.org or visit www.charlesriver.org.