Esplanade Association

CONTACT:

10 Derne Street
Boston, MA 02115
617-227-0365
esplanadeassociation.org

Jeryl oristaglio, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Philanthropy often partners with government to do a better job. The Esplanade is the 3-mile park along the Charles from the Museum of Science to the BU Bridge. More than 1.5 million people use it annually, including 35 charities sponsoring fundraising events there, raising millions of dollars for philanthropy. Owned and operated by the Commonwealth, many of its major enhancements have been donated by philanthropy. In the late ‘90s it was fairly run-down, and the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC — now the Department of Conservation and Recreation: DCR) began a Master Planning process. Two neighborhood associations and a playground-advocacy group formed a committee to provide citizen input. As an outgrowth of the citizens committee, in 2001 Linda Cox and Jeryl Oristaglio created TEA as a “Friends” group just for the Esplanade, with the aim of making it a “world-class park.” In its first three years TEA, in partnership with DCR, has built a new playground, replaced 250 benches, renovated the boat dock, made the granite landings historic restoration sites, and completed the Park's first tree inventory, which is a prerequisite for long-term planning. For its critically important catalytic role, TEA has received several awards from civic improvement organizations. If you are an Esplanade user — Esplanadier(e)? — here is your chance to give back.

(2004: NATURE: Environment: Land, Air, Water, Climate)