Tag: Cambridge

Walking Map of Bridges and Esplanades along the Charles River

For a great cinematic view of Boston take a ride over the Charles River on the Red Line across the Longfellow Bridge between Kendall Square and Charles/MGH Stations. The train accelerates as it leaves the station to meet the rising curve of the bridge, and the short spell of darkness in the subway tunnel dissolves on a sunny day in a flash of blue sky and open water.

This walk takes a longer look at the views of the Lower Charles from a succession of vantage points along the bridge. It encompasses what appears to be one of the most visible and carefully preserved natural features of Boston. However, during the mid-19th century the shallow basin was lined with tenements and industries; at low tide it was a vast expanse of sewage-laden mud flats.

The reclamation of the riverbanks began with the Cambridge Esplanade in 1883 and continues to this day. This walk takes in many of the Charles River’s loveliest and most historic sites–not to mention its incomparable views of the city.

Click for “Bridges and Esplanades Along the Charles River” Walking map on Google maps

West Cambridge Walking Map

The pathways of Cambridge spread far beyond its famous education centers. Some areas, such as the Charles River, are well known to present and former students. Still, the secrets of the leafy residential areas west of Harvard Square are likely to remain unseen until teased out by a journey on foot with an advisory text in hand.

As a whole West Cambridge presents many contrasts of natural beauty and architectural landmarks. The quality of the built environment is exceptionally high. Landscaping is mature and well-maintained. Views vary from close-up to several miles. The Brattle Street and Coolidge Hill neighborhoods and Mount Auburn Cemetery are enclaves, quiet and distinct, yet very close to Harvard Square. This tour through one of Boston’s most exquisite neighborhoods will reveal its marvels–known and unknown.

Click for “WalkBoston’s West Cambridge Walking Map” on Google Maps

Cambridge Urban Core Walking Maps

One of the many benefits of walking is that you see and experience things you’d miss using other modes of travel. And the best way to enjoy them is with a WalkBoston map.

Our five maps for Cambridge Urban Core feature places that are wonderful to walk, easy to navigate, and convenient to get around in Cambridge. Each one is created by those know the territory best – people who live there or are an expert in a walk’s particular theme or topic. Each has a self-guided walk with a detailed route, distances and descriptions of sights and scenes.

Click for “Cambridge Urban Core Maps” and more on Google Maps

Environmental Notification Form (ENF) Alewife Brook Greenway MEPA #14431

June 29, 2009

Secretary Ian Bowles
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114

RE: Environmental Notification Form (ENF) Alewife Brook Greenway
MEPA # 14431

Dear Secretary Bowles:

WalkBoston is pleased to review the Alewife Brook Greenway Environmental Notification Form (ENF). We have found the proposal extremely interesting, as it expands the off-road network of trails and walkways that are so important to metro arearesidents for transportation and recreation. The ENF details improvements that will be made for both pedestrians and bicyclists on a corridor between Alewife Brook MBTA Station and the Mystic Valley Parkway that leads through Cambridge, Somerville and Arlington, and has connections to the Minuteman Pathway, the Linear Park/Community Path route into Somerville, the Mystic River parklands and future paths into Belmont and Watertown.

This is an extremely important piece of the regional trail network. We are happy to endorse its construction and even happier to realize that it may be constructed relatively rapidly as part of the national stimulus construction agenda.

In our review, we noted a few concerns of importance to pedestrians:

1. The proposed network does not provide for fully separated bicycle and pedestrian paths.
In two segments of the proposed improvement (1. Between the Mystic Valley Parkway and Broadway; and 2. between Henderson Street and Massachusetts Avenue) there appears to be a partial separation of bicycle and pedestrian paths. By contrast, there is only a single path between Broadway and Henderson Street and between Massachusetts Avenue and the MBTA Alewife Station. This will result in an effective capacity of two 10’-wide paths in the areas of separated paths and only one 10’-wide path in the other parts of the corridor. We are concerned about the safety of pedestrians in portions of the corridor where the capacity is limited. In those areas, consideration should be given to a wider cross-section on the path to accommodate potential demand.

2. The proposal does not indicate whether there will be signage to can foster safe walking. Pedestrian safety in mixed walking and cycling traffic can be an issue of concern, depending on the volume of traffic that uses the paths. While we would prefer separate facilities that are clearly designated as such, it does not appear to be feasible throughout the entire corridor. We therefore suggest that signing and warnings be provided to make the route safe for all users. This might include, for example:

Lane separation lines for the north and south directions.
Signs warning pedestrians to stay to the right of the path.
Signs advising cyclists to ring a warning bell as they approach pedestrians from behind.
Route signs designating a cyclist trail along the paths that abut Alewife Brooke Parkway.

3. The Boardwalk parallel to Alewife Brook Parkway has the potential for becoming a bottleneck, as it accommodates all path traffic in a narrow corridor. The boardwalk overlooks and is cantilevered over the river in the section extending north of Henderson Street and is one of the most accessible portions of the pathways for nearby residents. It is also close to Dilboy Field, which has occasional special sports events. If the boardwalk accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists and is closely fenced on both sides, it has the potential for becoming heavily used and potentially unsafe for people on foot. Would it be possible to widen the boardwalk to at least 12 feet in this location?

4. Seating and observation areas should be maximized.The path promises to be a very pleasant route. Many people will want to sit occasionally along the route, and children, among others, will be interested in closely examining the stream.

5. For the security of people who are using the path lighting may be appropriate. Lighting of the paths would extend their usefulness to walkers and cyclists in evening hours and in fall and winter.

6. Crosswalks may be needed in several locations. Near the Dilboy Park baseball diamonds, a fence opening and curb ramp have been provided that appear designed to help people cross Alewife Brook Parkway. The addition of a crosswalk in this location would be appropriate. Other crosswalks should be examined to cross Alewife Brook Parkway at Massachusetts Avenue, at Matignon Road, at Powder House Boulevard (two curb ramps), and at Broadway. For continuity of the path network, a Mystic Valley Parkway crosswalk should be considered at the north end of this project.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to provide comments on the ENF. Please let us know if you have any questions or need further detail.

Sincerely,

Wendy Landman
Executive Director

Robert Sloane
Senior Planner

Cc Dan Driscoll, DCR Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner

Concord Avenue Reconstruction Comment Letter

March 5, 2009

Cambridge Department of Public Works 147 Hampshire Street,
Cambridge, MA 02139

Attn: Rebecca Fuentes, Community Relations Manager

Dear Ms. Fuentes:

WalkBoston is the Commonwealth’s leading advocate for pedestrians and safe walking. We work throughout the state – encouraging walking, supporting pedestrian improvements and sponsoring walks. We have extensive experience in helping residents and local governments with pedestrian issues, safe routes to schools, and safer street crossings and sidewalks.

We are very pleased to support the application by the City of Cambridge for Public Works Economic Development (PWED) funding for the Concord Avenue Reconstruction project, from Fresh Pond Parkway to Blanchard Road. The proposed improvements will make the corridor safer and more attractive for walkers, thus encouraging local trips on foot, and longer trips via transit.

We believe the balance of improvements for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles is an appropriate mix for this important urban corridor.

Sincerely,

Wendy Landman
Executive Director