This December, Karl Alexander joined the Mystic River Watershed Association as our Greenways Program Manager! Karl will be leading all aspects of our Mystic Greenways Program, working alongside a dynamic, collaborative team on the community-led design of park and shared use path projects across the watershed.
Join us in getting to know Karl with this fun Q and A:
Q: Tell us about an experience that has led you here:
I was introduced to greenways planning while earning my graduate degree in Urban Planning and Community Development at Umass Boston’s School for the Environment. I learned how greenways have an incredible ability to support multiple planning goals simultaneously (mobility, climate resilience, and more!) and convene diverse groups of stakeholders. Realizing their potential, I took it upon myself to begin working on and advocating for them whenever possible, and here I am!
Q: What’s something interesting about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume alone?
I grew up in North Cambridge and benefited greatly from using the Mystic Greenways to bike safely around to soccer practices, baseball games and drumming lessons. Moving freely without fear of injury is a gift everyone, especially youth, should have the benefit of enjoying and I think greenways play a big role in making it happen.
Q: What do you do when you aren't working?
Fostering my connection with the natural world through gardening, cooking and hiking! I love finding ways to make the ingredients from my small urban garden go the extra mile by turning them into pestos, hot sauces and fermentations. They make great gifts and I enjoy bringing them with me while hiking in the White Mountains.
Q: What is your favorite place?
Baxter Riverfront Park at Assembly Row in Somerville. It’s an amazing linear park with spaces for people of all ages and abilities that I bike and run through almost daily. It has a wildlife viewing deck, recreational field, picnicking areas, playground/splash pad for youth, and even old repurposed factory structures used for placemaking. It's quite the complete package!
Q: What part of your job are you most excited about?
Having the opportunity to collaborate with and support my colleagues, our partners and communities on the design of park and shared use path projects across the watershed. I’m a big fan of bike rides and walking tours, so if you’re a project stakeholder be warned: I’ll probably be inviting you to join me on the Mystic Greenways soon!
Have any questions for Karl or want to introduce yourself? Feel free to email him at Karl.Alexander@MysticRiver.org.
