A Community Leadership Forum on Environment and Recreation, co-sponsored by the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts and Partners for a Healthier Community was held at the Waterstreet Cafe on November 30 2006. Leaders from Fall River who had a particular interest in these issues were invited to hear from a panel composed of Fall River Public Works Director Ken Pacheco, Green Futures Information Director Everett Castro, Boys & Girls Club Director Peter McCarthy and CD-Recreation Director Grace Gerling. Following the presentations, participants were invited to share their assessment of the city's current assets as well as existing challenges to making improvements in environmental and recreational resources. Additional forums were planned for each of the remaining three Action Priority Areas including a summary report for the spring of 2007. For more information, contact Healthy City Fall River Coordinator David S. Weed, Psy.D. at 508-324-2411. Click here for photos of the initial Forum on Safety and Substance Abuse issues.
 

(Top row, left) Forum participants gathered at the Waterstreet cafe for a buffet lunch prior to the discussion. (Top row, center and right) Following a summary by Mr. Pacheco of recent improvements in cleaning up many of the city streets, Everett Castro of Green Futures outlined a vision of a continuous green belt running along the Quequechan River and tying the downtown to the waterfront with a "daylighted" falls along Pocasset Street. (Middle row, left) Jerry Donovan of the Columbus Little League, Clint Cabral of the Fall River Falcons Football League, Jeff Chace of the Fall River Tennis Association, BCC Environmental Technology Coordinator Robert Rak, and Maplewood Little League Coordinator Mario Duarte respond to the panel. (Middle row, right) Boys and Girls Club Director Peter McCarthy and CD-Recreation Director Grace Gerling listen to Public Works Director Ken Pacheco. (Bottom row, left) Trustees of Reservations Property Manager Mike Laboissiere records some of the environmental and recreational assets of the city while Community Foundation Director Craig Dutra listens to the panel. (Bottom row, center) Jerry Donovan, Mario Duarte and Clint Cabral chat following the forum. (Bottom row, right) Grace Gerling and Jamison Souza talk with Ken Pacheco.