Charlesbank Landing - The Esplanade Association

A transformative project for the future of the Charles River Esplanade

Charlesbank Landing would transform an area of the Esplanade that has largely been closed off from the public since the 1990s by bringing visitor services, recreational and open space, and cultural amenities to one of Boston’s most-visited destinations. The project is anchored by a new, year-round Esplanade Riverfront Pavilion visitors center.

The Esplanade Association’s gift includes a commitment to fund at least 30 years of the site’s operations and maintenance expenses, including all costs of running the Pavilion facility. The total value of the gift is expected to exceed $20 million and will be funded by donations from members and supporters of the Esplanade Association. The commitment represents one of the largest private gifts to the Commonwealth’s state parks system in history.

You can help make this project a reality by voicing your support!

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PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

VISITOR EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENTS

Charlesbank Landing will offer exciting new amenities to enhance the enjoyment of park users and expand their experience in the park.

Staffed, accessible visitors center will provide useful park information and feature exhibits related to the multilayered histories of the area.
Accessible bathrooms (open year-round).
Café with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Programmable roof deck providing unique views of the Charles River.
Outdoor riverfront classroom with tiered, natural seating.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Using innovative, sustainable practices, Charlesbank Landing will provide wide-ranging environmental improvements for Boston consistent with Boston 2030 and Climate Ready Boston goals.

The Esplanade Riverfront Pavilion will be LEED®-certified, energy-efficient, and sustainably managed.
Site will include 1.6 acres of landscape improvements including 500 perennials, 25 new trees, and green living walls to improve air quality, and reduce energy use and heat island impacts.
A re-engineered riverbank and newly-created wetlands act as stormwater management systems and invite visitors to connect with the natural landscape.
Large pollinator garden will provide multiple benefits for pollinator species including restoration of their habitat in the park and overall ecosystem.

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

New recreational opportunities will provide entirely new ways for park visitors to interact with the Charles River.

Nature play area encourages exploration and discovery.
New youth athletic field adds field space designed to minimize weather-related downtime.
Improved, multimodal pathways with new lighting, benches, and views of the river and city will enhance park visitors’ enjoyment, access, safety, and usability.
Gathering spots throughout the landscape includes grassy areas, café
seating, and an all-weather covered plaza.

ENHANCED PARK CARE AND BROADER PROGRAMMING

Charlesbank Landing will expand a successful, 20-year public-private partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Esplanade Association to foster a new level of superior service and park programming.

New purpose-built indoor and outdoor spaces to support year-round inclusive programming while welcoming new audiences to the Esplanade and providing space for civic, artistic, educational, cultural, and other community uses.
Suitable in-park facilities will enhance the care of the trees, gardens, playgrounds, acres of open space, and miles of pathways and shoreline provided by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Esplanade Association.
Enhanced staff presence maximizes operational outcomes, promotes a safe environment, and supports a vibrant mixed-use facility.

VOICE YOUR SUPPORT

Pending legislation in the Massachusetts Legislature sponsored by State Senator Sal DiDomenico and State Representative Jay Livingstone would formalize the terms of the public-private partnership for the Charlesbank Landing project, ensure no net loss of public land, and pave the way to begin final design, permitting, and construction.

The public-private partnership would be structured to complete the project and the adjacent landscape improvements at no cost to Massachusetts taxpayers, with the Esplanade Association committing to fund design and construction and then gifting Charlesbank Landing to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Share your support with elected officials by completing the form below.

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DISCOVER MORE

Project Background

The Charlesbank Landing project is the result of a wide-ranging public process in 2017 led by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to establish goals for the future use of the long-neglected Lee Pool complex on the Esplanade. The agency retained Maryann Thompson Architects (‘MTA’) and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (‘MVVA’) while engaging the Esplanade Association and more than 20 stakeholder groups in a nine-month analysis reflecting nearly a dozen community meetings and hundreds of public comments. The Charlesbank Landing plans achieve each of the consensus goals from the 2017 public process while adopting an added focus on climate change preparedness and resiliency planning.

Site History

Lee Pool Site History

The historic Charlesbank area, where this site is located, is generally regarded as home to the “first outdoor gymnasium in America”. There, a men’s gym opened in 1889, followed by a women’s gym in 1891 (see below for photos of both gyms during the 1890’s).

Building on that history of outdoor recreation, in 1951, a public pool opened on the site. The Lee Pool was named for Boston resident Joseph Lee, who is considered to be the “father of the American playground”.

In the 1990’s, the Lee Pool closed to the public. Throughout much the time since, the site was used by DCR, EA, Hill House, and others to program and maintain the Esplanade.

In 2017, DCR convened over 20 stakeholder groups to consider the highest, best use for this two-acre parcel of public land. Through this public process a consensus emerged about what the Esplanade needs:

a community gathering place
a flexible programming venue
critical park amenities
support for the Esplanade Association’s in-park operations
increased access to the riverfront
broadened recreational opportunities
reclaimed parkland
and an improved connection from the Lee Pool area to the broader Esplanade landscape.

During that process, DCR made clear that while the agency would demolish the Lee Pool building, it and the Commonwealth were not in a position to financially support the design, construction, operation, or capital maintenance of a new public facility. Instead, DCR held that it would seek a private sector partner to fund the construction and long-term operation of a new, public building.

Since 2017, the Esplanade Association has worked with key partners to use these findings to shape a phased building and operations plan for the site that achieves all these goals and more through development of Charlesbank Landing.

When the DCR demolished the former Lee Pool building in July 2019, preparing the site for the future establishment of Charlesbank Landing.

See below for an outline of the original landscape design of Charlesbank by Fredrick Law Olmsted.

Why EA?

Why the Esplanade Association?

Since 2001, the Esplanade Association has invested more than $16 million from funds it has raised to help restore and enhance the Charles River Esplanade. The funds raised have supported dozens of capital improvement projects, hundreds of free events and activities, and tens of thousands of hours devoted to beautifying the 64-acre park.

View the Esplanade Association’s 20-year track record of accomplishments here.

Project Press Coverage

The Esplanade should get its makeover: The Boston Globe

Esplanade Association unveils makeover for key section near Museum of Science: The Boston Globe

Here’s how a $20M donation could change Boston’s Esplanade: Boston.com

Gift Of Over $20 Million For Boston’s Esplanade Would Fund New Visitors Center, Outdoor Spaces: WBZ | CBS Boston

Group pledges $20 million for new visitor center, other upgrades along the Charles near Mass General and new Gronk Playground: Universal Hub

Lease bill could unlock major Esplanade project: 7 News Boston

Bill Proposes Major Changes To Charles River Esplanade: WBZ News Radio

$20 Million Commitment from Esplanade Association Would Fund Major Improvements to Park: Beacon Hill Times

Lease Bill Could Unlock Major Esplanade Project: State House News Service

Bill Authorizing Long-Term Lease of Lee Pool Complex Filed: Beacon Hill Times

Eyesore Will Be Demolished: Boston Guardian

Demolition Gets Underway on Esplanade’s Lee Pool Complex: Beacon Hill Times

DCR Begins Process to Revitalize Lee Pool on the Esplanade: Beacon Hill Times

Riverfront Pavilion Proposed as a Part of Lee Pool Rehabilitation: Beacon Hill Times

Charlesbank Landing will be located at the former site of Lee Pool on the Esplanade, in between the Longfellow Bridge and Museum of Science, and adjacent to the Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields, Alfond Memorial Spray Deck, and future site of Gronk Playground.

PROJECT SUPPORTERS

To date, 25 organizations have signed on to support the project and its accompanying legislation, signifying a diverse group of stakeholders in the future vibrancy of Charlesbank Landing.

Additionally, Charlesbank Landing is supported by State Senators Sal DiDomenico and William Brownsberger, State Representative Jay Livingstone, and City Councilor Kenzie Bok.

If you’re interested in lending your voice on behalf of this project, please contact us at charlesbank@esplanade.org.

CHARLESBANK LANDING MEDIA KIT

CONTACT US

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

If you are interested in financially supporting this vision, please contact Jim Diverio at 617-227-0365 Ext. 502 or jdiverio@esplanade.org.

QUESTIONS

For any questions or comments about the Charlesbank Landing, please email us at charlesbank@esplanade.org.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!