At the River's Edge

Elizabeth Claggett-Borne is a Cambridge resident who has sent us an article she wrote, sharing her thoughts about the river.  Below is the shortened version, with a link to the full version.  Enjoy!



 I confess. The Charles River is a gem. I have been living in Cambridge for 25 years and the river is an effervescent, sentinel part of our life. The river is an artery cutting through Cambridge much older than Mass Ave. It’s as royal as any wedding fruitcake.

Some lack an appreciation for the 129 km river that starts in Hopkinton (just like the marathon),snakes across Watertown rolls out broadly into Cambridge.

Daffodils peeking out after winter

Although not in tip-top health, the River is beauty queen material. Think of the myriad of ways to enjoy it. You can kayak along its shores, without falling overboard  (my son at 14 did this after a dare). Instead of bemoaning the dirty water , you can take litmus tests of Charles’ toxicity every month. Harvard students jump off Weeks bridge into deep water after passing exams. Or go goggle-eyed watching Mallard drakes paddling against the current and geese laying eggs…Or see the two swans like twin towers have moved in … or the rare spotted turtle.

What did original settlers call it before the royalists named it Charles? Boston was founded on Indian land:  a slinky little Shawmut peninsula jutting into a deep water harbor (1630). I say founded, but really need  to respect the Algonquin people, Pequossettes and Wampanoags who thrived along the waters. The first name for this scarf of water was Quinobequin. Although no one knows how to pronounce this word, it means meandering river. With deep honor I remember the peoples that cared for the river 4 centuries ago.

When the Europeans first set anchor near the Shaumut peninsula; the South End, Fenway, and the Back Bay were mere tidal pools behind the expansive river. Boston in 1775 was a scrawny isthmus with a big lopsided head (789 acres). The peninsula’s Neck was merely 100 yards wide, about twice the width of the street at high tide. This was so remarkable: imagine a goose’s slender neck with head perched on top the size of a bear.

Fast forward to 2011. The river isn’t clean like it needs to be. What can be done? Compared to the nuclear fallout from the 4 reactors in Fukushisma; it shouldn’t be traumatic to clean up our neighborly river.  Every time you enjoy the Charles river, consider a way to keep it a gem for your great grandchildren. They thank you in advance…

For the full story see www.pedalseeds.net

Written by: Elizabeth Claggett-Borne

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