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Restoration of the Historic Granite Overlooks and Storrow Lagoon Coping Charles River Basin
DCR welcomes your comments on these recommendations and alternatives for restoring the historic granite works along the Charles River in the Esplanade. Send your comments to Rick Corsi at DCR or Nancy Farrell, Public Involvement Manager.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is undertaking a project to repair and preserve several granite Overlooks, the area surrounding the Storrow Memorial and the granite coping and path along the Storrow Lagoon in the Charles River Basin in Boston. The project is located along the Charles River Esplanade. The current phase of work includes design and engineering services and temporary repairs to stabilize the structures. These decorative elements were added to the original parkland, known then as the Embankment, by landscape architect Arthur Shurcliff. In 1936, Shurcliff’s work widened the parkland, laying out straight paths and a series of formal Overlooks and boat landings along the shore. The Overlooks include Commissioners Landing (including two smaller flanking Overlooks at the Hatch Shell and Community Boating); the Dartmouth Street Overlook; and the Gloucester Street Overlook, including the Storrow Memorial. These structures are very popular with pedestrians and boaters, providing wonderful Charles River views and places to rest. Project goals, as stated in the Master Plan for the Charles River Basin, include: stabilize and restore the historic Overlooks and Landings; improve conditions for bicycles and pedestrians along the Storrow Lagoon; broaden the paved area at the Dartmouth Street Overlook; re-establish benches at Dartmouth Street and reinforce the pedestrian character at Gloucester Street; add historically reminiscent pedestrian lighting to both Overlooks. DCR and the consultant team will undertake temporary repairs first, then prepare a long-term restoration plan. The project also calls for coordination of replacement of the four docks at Commissioners Landing. A Working Group has been formed to advise DCR on the project. DCR is also planning a series of Public Meetings to describe plans and collect comments from a wide variety of neighbors, park users and other interested parties. Presentations and summary minutes of these meetings will be posted on this site. DCR plans to perform temporary repairs to the three Overlooks and the Storrow Lagoon during the fall and winter of 2006/2007. The goal of the temporary project is to prevent further deterioration as design of the complete restoration moves forward. The restoration of Commissioners Landing will start in the fall of 2007 and should take 12 months. The restoration of the remaining facilities will begin in spring 2008 and also last about 12 months. To be added to the project email database, please send a note to info@reginavilla.com or call Nancy Farrell, Regina Villa Associates, at 617-357-5772. For more information, please contact Rick Corsi, at Richard.corsi@state.ma.us or 617-626-1431.
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Division of Planning and Engineering
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