The Alewife

Kelley leaves CLF

Much Appreciation and Thanks to Karen Kelley

The CLF Steering Committee recently accepted the resignation of Karen Kelley as Executive Director. Karen made a major contribution to CLF and was single-handedly responsible for producing our first two Business Directories. She also played a big role to increase our membership from 90 to over 260.

Karen will still be around as an active member of CLF as part-owner of the Cambridge Artists Cooperative. We look forward to her continued great support and leadership. A big thank you to Karen, and we wish her all the best.

While we're in the process of looking for a new Executive Director, Laury Hammel will be the acting Executive Director.

City's Christian Science community hosts lecture

New birds sighted at Alewife Reservation

We saw that Mark Rosenstein posted on the Friends of Alewife Reservation Web site news of Spring:

I explored Alewife Reservation this morning from 7-9am. I got my first kingfisher of the year, and accidentally flushed a woodcock. At this time of year the underbrush isn't too bad, so I was able to get to Perch Pond. No wood ducks there, but it is where I saw the heron and sharp-shinned hawk.

-Mark

Location: Alewife Reservation
Observation date: 3/25/08
Number of species: 25

[Click below for the tally.]

City begins work on Rindge Ave.

The City’s contractor, Aggregate Industries, will reconstruct all pedestrian ramps, repair selected sections of sidewalk, and pave the roadway on Rindge Ave (from Alewife Brook Parkway to Middlesex St).  This project will create safe, accessible ramps and crossings along this section of Rindge Ave , which is heavily used by pedestrians because of amenities such as the school, library, pool, parks, and MBTA bus stops/ station.  Street paving is particularly needed on this section of Rindge Ave due to recent utility improvements.

Key Pedestrian Improvements

1) Curb extensions at the entrance to Russell Field and at Jefferson Park

a)   Create better sightlines and reducing crossing distances

b)   Provide an opportunity for additional green space at Russell Field

c)   Do not affect on-street parking, as these are existing no parking zones

2)   Curb extension at Clifton St

a) Creates additional sidewalk width needed to preserve the large, mature tree at 293 Rindge Ave while creating an accessible pedestrian route

b) Removes approximately 2 on-street parking spaces

3) Widened sidewalk adjacent to Cemetery (between Clay and Sherman streets)

a) five additional feet of sidewalk provides access for pedestrians and maintains the 4 large trees

b) Removes parking on the north side of Rindge Ave between Montgomery and Clay streets

Through the Rindge Ave improvements, gray rubber sidewalk panels will be installed adjacent to the four mature trees next to the Cemetery in order to reduce the amount of lifting by tree roots.  These panels—which have been used on similar locations in other cities— will be monitored to ensure they provide an acceptable walking surface in all types of weather, are durable enough to withstand weather conditions, and conform to growing roots in a desirable manner. 

Attention Property Owners on Rindge Ave ( Middlesex St to Alewife Brook Parkway )
You May Be Eligible to Have a Tree Planted on Your Property at No Cost to You

The City of Cambridge Department of Public Works is pleased to announce a new program to improve our urban forest through public/ private tree planting partnerships, which is being rolled out in coordination with upcoming improvements on Rindge Ave.   Through this program, the City will plant trees along the back-of-sidewalk (up to 20 feet off the public way) on the private properties of interested, eligible owners at no cost.

Why does the City want to plant trees on private property?

The City of Cambridge has historically focused on the maintenance, planting and preservation of its trees residing in the public right-of-way (sidewalk trees), and its parks and public spaces across the City; the ‘Back-of-Sidewalk’ program provides another means of planting trees in difficult areas with narrow sidewalks and/or overhead utilities.

How will the “Back-of-Sidewalk” Program help trees?

This program will allow us to plant trees in desirable growing conditions, making it likely they will survive and thrive.  A typical sidewalk tree faces harsher conditions along the curb (such as oil or salt from roadway runoff).  Soil conditions at the back-of-sidewalk are generally more suitable for plant growth (i.e. less soil compaction, more available nutrients, and better moisture content).  The improved environment of having a larger rooting area and less direct competition with overhead utilities will help to ensure a healthier tree canopy in Cambridge .

How will the “Back-of-Sidewalk” Program help pedestrians?

In order to maintain sidewalks that are accessible to all users, sidewalks must be a certain minimum width; the narrow nature of sidewalks in Cambridge makes it difficult to find appropriate places to plant new sidewalk trees. A growing tree not only crowds the sidewalk, but its root system can displace and damage sidewalks.  By planting more trees on private property, all pedestrians will be able to enjoy safer, more level sidewalks as well as the beauty and environmental benefits of more trees.

What are potential benefits to property owners who participate in this program?
Participants in this program will have to opportunity to receive a tree at no charge.  Trees species can be selected from an approved list in consultation with a professional landscape architect.  The trees planted within these areas allow us to promote different species more suited to smaller spaces— such as magnolia, koelreuteria, and dogwood— which will increase the diversity of species in Cambridge and help beautify properties.

What are the responsibilities of property owners who participate in this program?
Property owners who would like to participate in the “Back-of-Sidewalk” Tree Planting Program must sign the attached agreement.  DPW staff will provide training to help you care for the tree while it is getting established during the first five years; at the end of five years, you will officially assume ownership of the tree.

How can I learn more?
To learn more about this program, please contact David Lefcourt, City Arborist, at (617) 349-6433 or dlefcourt@cambridgema.gov.