The Esplanade Association https://esplanade.org/esplanade-association/ Historic Charles River Esplanade Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:59:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://esplanade.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cropped-EA-Leaves-32x32.png The Esplanade Association https://esplanade.org/esplanade-association/ 32 32 Esplanade Kiosk Creatures https://esplanade.org/kioskcreatures/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:41:47 +0000 https://esplanade.org/?p=18158 The post Esplanade Kiosk Creatures appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

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Welcome to the Esplanade Association!

We are the only community-supported nonprofit focused on revitalizing the Esplanade’s natural green space, creating and maintaining new park amenities, and building community through free educational, cultural, and recreational programs for everyone. 

We hope you will follow how we animate and improve the park experience—and ways to get involved!


Special thanks to EA’s 2026 guest speaker and naturalist Stephanie Fletcher for the photos and fun facts!

See her presentation on 25 Species for 25 Years from our Annual Meeting!

(TIME STAMP — 27:20 – 46:28)

See below for Stephanie’s insights on Esplanade Species, this season’s “Kiosk Creatures”!


Eastern Cottontail



  • Eastern cottontails are voracious eaters that consume roughly 10% to 15% of their body weight in green vegetation daily.
  • In spring and summer, their diet consists almost entirely of tender grasses and just about any other tender plant or flower they can find!
  • In fall and winter, when fresh greens are scarce, they switch to woody vegetation, chewing on the buds, twigs, and bark of young trees and shrubs.
  • If you ever see bark stripped from a bush or young tree along the Esplanade in the winter, it was probably a rabbit!
  • Before spring, we have had wires on EA’s winter light installations and park vehicles nibbled away!

On View: Near Gronk Playground


Butterflies & Moths



  • Butterflies and moths are important pollinators that help plants reproduce by transferring pollen as they feed on nectar, and they serve as a key food source for birds, bats, and other wildlife, making them vital indicators of a healthy ecosystem.
  • Their caterpillars are also an important food source for baby birds. It was recently discovered that Black-capped Chickadees need about 9,000 caterpillars to raise just one brood!


On View: Near Community Boating Inc.


Bees



  • There are many species of pollinators, including bees and bumblebees that call the Esplanade home.
  • Not all bees live in hives. Some bees live in ground nests, some live in woody plant stems. Some are microscopic, others, like bumblebees, are larger. All of them provide critical services to the trees and plants on the Esplanade.
  • Despite their reputation, many bees do not sting—males have no stingers, and most native solitary bees are too busy foraging for pollen and nectar to care about the humans around them.

On View: Near Esplanade Playspace and Fiedler Footbridge


Dragonflies



  • Despite their delicate features, dragonflies are considered one of the most voracious predators in the entire animal kingdom, with a 95% success rate at capturing their prey.
  • They consume about 1/5th their body weight in insects each day, eating things like mosquitoes, midges, gnats, flies, bees, moths and butterflies.
  • Dragonflies are considered extremely efficient at controlling mosquitoes—all we need to do to keep them around is to continue to support a healthy and clean Charles River!

On View: Near Dartmouth St. Footbridge


Black-Crowned Night Heron



  • If seen by day, these chunky herons seem dull and lethargic, sitting hunched and motionless in trees near water.
  • Black-crowned Night Herons become more active at dusk, flying out to foraging sites, calling ‘wok’ as they pass high overhead in the darkness.
  • While numbers of these birds are dwindling in Massachusetts due to habitat loss, you’ll still find a few along the banks of the Esplanade.


On View: Near Fairfield St. Footbridge


Painted Turtle



  • Painted turtles are one of the most common native turtle species in North America.
  • They are known for their vibrant shells, which feature bright red and yellow markings, distinguishing it from the other, introduced species that we see here, the red-eared slider.
  • Painted turtles play a vital role in maintaining the health of freshwater ecosystems by consuming a diverse diet that includes aquatic plants, algae, and small invertebrates, which helps regulate prey populations and cycle nutrients.
  • Their presence often indicates a healthy environment.

On View: Near Mass Ave. Footbridge


Mute Swans



  • Mute swans were introduced to North America in the late 19th century as ornamental birds for parks, estates, and zoos, primarily from Europe.
  • They escaped or were released into the wild, leading to the established populations that we see today.
  • On occasion, you’ll see them swimming or nesting along the lagoon- they are a favorite of many living nearby.


On View: Near Silber Way Footbridge


Double-Crested Cormorant



  • Double-crested cormorants have bright teal-blue eyes. They have excellent eyesight, which is crucial for spotting fish while diving underwater.
  • Their vision is adapted for both aerial and aquatic environments, allowing them to effectively hunt for prey.
  • Double-crested cormorants serve as upper trophic-level predators in aquatic systems, which makes them useful indicators of environmental pollution and helps limit invasive populations.
  • Their presence helping to control invasive fish populations helps maintain species diversity in the Charles River.

On View: Near BU Sailing Pavilion


Eastern Gray Squirrel



  • Eastern gray squirrels are often seen as beggars because they are opportunistic feeders that rely on human food sources, especially in urban areas.
  • Their adaptability and less shy nature make them more likely to approach people for food.
  • Outside of urban areas, the squirrel is considered ecologically essential as a natural forest regenerator, due to their ability to disperse seeds so well.


Common Buttonbush



  • The Common buttonbush is a native shrub that thrives in wetland areas and can tolerate water depths of up to three feet.
  • It is known for its unique spherical white flowers that attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
  • Meanwhile, it provides food and shelter for all sorts of wildlife, it improves water quality by removing nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, all while providing excellent erosion control.


Kiosk Creatures Walking & Photography Tour



EA, in partnership with Stephanie Fletcher, will lead two guided nature and photography walks through the park! We will walk around 1 mile, identifying species that call Esplanade home and learning how to photograph them. All ages and experience levels are welcome!



LEARN MORE!

STAY IN TOUCH!





JOIN OUR FREE PROGRAMS!

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]]> Rooted in Memory https://esplanade.org/rooted-sign/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:26:55 +0000 https://esplanade.org/?p=17816 The post Rooted in Memory appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

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Rooted in Memory by Illuminus

About Rooted in Memory

UPDATE! New Dates Announced!

After an unexpected snowy winter, we are pleased to announce that Rooted in Memory, a commission created by Stories & Spaces and produced by Illuminus, is coming to the Charles River Esplanade! This series of site-specific installations among riverfront trees will utilize projection mapping and spatial audio to animate our memories and relationships with the trees, our environment, and each other.

EVENT DETAILS:

DATES:
  • Sunday, May 3rd
  • Monday, May 4th
  • Tuesday, May 5th
  • Wednesday, May 6th
    TIME:
    • 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
    • The light installation will begin around 8:30 PM, preceded by a live artistic offering to set the tone for the night. Arrive early to take in the full experience. Enjoy free non-alcoholic refreshments as you experience the art.
    LOCATION:
    • Eliot Memorial Garden (21 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02114, USA)
    SIGN UP HERE!

    Please note that the location and details are subject to change due to weather, so please follow us for updates by registering or following us!

    The public is invited to record and contribute their memories of nature on a guided wander through the Esplanade, which will be integrated into the final installations.

    SUBMIT YOUR MEMORIES

    The post Rooted in Memory appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

    ]]> Annual Meeting https://esplanade.org/annual-meeting/ Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:37:14 +0000 https://esplanade.org/?p=17444 The post Annual Meeting appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

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    Annual Meeting 2026

    Register now for the Esplanade Association’s 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting!

    April 15th, 2025 

    6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

    (This event will be held on Zoom) 

    Register here!
    This year’s meeting will feature: 


    Stephanie Fletcher

    Special guest: Stephanie Fletcher presenting on “25 Species for 25 Years”, highlighting 25 animal species that call the Esplanade home and her biodiversity work using the iNaturalist app. 


    Stephanie has had a lifelong love for nature. From a young age, she was observing insects, adopting and raising orphaned wildlife, and smelling any flower within reach. She graduated with a degree in Economics and a minor in Business Management from Syracuse University, then worked as a Sales Manager for Bloomberg’s multimedia and equity trading division in New York for 10 years.

    In 2003, she became a full-time mother and dedicated volunteer for educational and nature-focused non-profits like the Learning Project and Mass Audubon. She is heavily involved with many local green space organizations, like the Esplanade Association, the Garden Club of the Back Bay, and the Friends of the Public Garden. In 2025, she became a Certified Field Naturalist through Mass Audubon and a Certified Pollinator Steward through UMass Amherst. Her discovery of the first Joro Spider in New England was featured in Scott Loarie’s TEDx Boston talk on the power of using iNaturalist as a tool to discover and log biodiversity for scientific study.

    Jen Mergel, EA’s James and Audrey Foster Executive Director 

    Sharing 2025 highlights and achievements as well as a sneak peek at our 25th Anniversary activities and programs. She will also give an update on the construction progress on the Charles River Esplanade’s Smith Family Pavilion and Charlesbank campus, and news on its forthcoming opening late in 2026. 

    Agenda

    • Welcome and appreciation: 25th anniversary reflections
    • Executive Director Report and Annual Business
    • Guest Speaker: Stephanie Fletcher, “25 Species for 25 Years”
    • Q&A

    The post Annual Meeting appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

    ]]> Little Green Words https://esplanade.org/littlegreenwords/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:32:38 +0000 https://esplanade.org/?p=17294 The post Little Green Words appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

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    Little Green Words

    Each month, we’ll explore an environmental word or concept, from biodiversity to watershed, and discover why it matters right here along the Charles River Esplanade.
    You’ll find a simple explanation, fun facts, and hands-on activities that families can enjoy together, whether you’re exploring our park, your backyard, or even your kitchen.

    This month’s Little Green Word is: Sustainability!

    Sustainability: Making choices today that protect the Earth so that people, animals, and plants have what they need to live happily and healthily in the future climate.

    DOWNLOAD ACTIVITIES BELOW!

    TRASH OR RECYCLING ACTIVITY BUILD YOUR OWN PLANTER

    PREVIOUS ACTIVITIES

    Word of the Month: Esplanade!

    Esplanade: a long, open, level area, typically beside the water, along which people may walk for pleasure.

    ESPLANADE WORD SEARCH

    DESIGN YOUR OWN ESPLANADE

    The post Little Green Words appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

    ]]> Rooted in Memory https://esplanade.org/rooted/ Thu, 22 Jan 2026 21:21:23 +0000 https://esplanade.org/?p=17217 The post Rooted in Memory appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

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    Rooted in Memory by Illuminus

    About Rooted in Memory

    UPDATE! New Dates Announced!

    After an unexpected snowy winter, we are pleased to announce that Rooted in Memory, a commission created by Stories & Spaces and produced by Illuminus, is coming to the Charles River Esplanade! This series of site-specific installations among riverfront trees will utilize projection mapping and spatial audio to animate our memories and relationships with the trees, our environment, and each other. Special thanks to Community Boating Inc. for their support on this event!

    EVENT DETAILS:

    DATES:
    • Sunday, May 3rd
    • Monday, May 4th
    • Tuesday, May 5th
    • Wednesday, May 6th (CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN)
      TIME:
      • 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
      • The light installation will begin around 8:30 PM, preceded by a live artistic offering to set the tone for the night. Arrive early to take in the full experience. Enjoy free non-alcoholic refreshments as you experience the art.
      LOCATION:
      • Eliot Memorial Garden (21 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02114, USA)
      SIGN UP HERE!

      Please note that the location and details are subject to change due to weather, so please follow us for updates by registering or following us!

      The post Rooted in Memory appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

      ]]> Sponsor A Tree Page https://esplanade.org/sponsor-a-tree/ Fri, 22 Aug 2025 14:10:07 +0000 https://esplanade.org/?p=16064 The post Sponsor A Tree Page appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

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      Sponsor Esplanade Trees



      By sponsoring a new or existing tree, you are enhancing care of the entire Esplanades 1900 tree canopy. You can designate a gift of any size to this annual need. All donations directly, and immediately, support the planting of new trees and the pruning, watering, and soil improvement of the oldest planted (some more than a century ago!) Gifts at $2500 (for an existing tree) or $10,000 (to plant and steward a new tree over a decade) also include a customizable dedication plaque.


      Sponsor a tree


      Read about Rob Gronkowski’s dedication of an Esplanade elm in the Gronk Playground in this press release.


      Susan Hurley and Rob Gronkowski posing in front of a donated tree for Susan. Photo by Melissa Ostrow, MelOPhoto.


      Read about Susan Hurley’s Impact here

      The post Sponsor A Tree Page appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

      ]]> The Giving Park https://esplanade.org/givingpark/ Wed, 25 Oct 2023 17:31:11 +0000 https://esplanade.org/?p=13099 The post The Giving Park appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

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      The Giving Park 


      Created by Ian and Ian 

      Narrated by Christopher Wilkins, Music Director of Boston Landmarks Orchestra 

      Since 2001, the Esplanade Association has enhanced, maintained, and revitalized the Charles River Esplanade thanks to supporters like you!

      Learn more about us and current projects/capital improvements to see what we have accomplished with your help.    

      Give Today

      The post The Giving Park appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

      ]]> TEAM ESPLANADE & The Boston Marathon https://esplanade.org/bostonmarathon/ Mon, 12 Sep 2022 14:57:34 +0000 http://4e2e0d2ff8.nxcli.io/?p=10189 The post TEAM ESPLANADE & The Boston Marathon appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

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      Congrats to TEAM ESPLANADE on running the 130th Boston Marathon®!


      Together, they raised over $250,000 for the Esplanade Association in its 25th anniversary year, and that impact will be felt by everyone who visits Boston’s favorite running route.


      Help TEAM ESPLANADE cross the finish line!

      We were so honored to be a part of the 2026 Boston Athletic Association’s Bank of America Boston Marathon® Official Charity Program for the 130th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America. 



      Why Run with TEAM ESPLANADE?



      The Esplanade Association is a community-supported nonprofit organization that works to revitalize, enhance, program, and maintain the Charles River Esplanade. By running on TEAM ESPLANADE you will be supporting:

      • HORTICULTURE: Caring for a lush canopy of trees, maintaining beautiful gardens, and leading 2,000 volunteers a year who help care for the park
      • ARTS & CULTURE: Commissioning public art, including the Hatched light and sound show in Winter 2021, three murals in 2019, and showcasing local musical acts on the Hatch Shell Stage
      • HEALTH & FITNESS: Hosting seasonal 5Ks and dozens of free fitness classes, jointly caring for the Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields
      • CHILDREN & FAMILIES: Building & maintaining three Esplanade playgrounds, hosting free field days for local summer camps, and hosting family-friendly events, tours, and scavenger hunts
      • PARK ENHANCEMENTS: Installing welcome signs with mileage maps, rehabbing historic monuments and park elements, and partnering to bring the popular Owl’s Nest beer garden to the park (a great place for a post-run refreshment!)


        TEAM ESPLANADE Benefits



        • Race day VIP bus to the start line
        • Team Marathon gear, including race singlet 
        • Finish Line rendezvous and storage in our Copley Office 
        • A fun and positive life-changing experience of running the 2026 Boston Marathon with Team Esplanade 

        Coaching and a personalized training program:

        • Organized point to point long runs on the course with aid station support
        • Full and personalized 20-week training plan for every level of running by RRCA certified coaches with organized group runs throughout the season starting in December.
        • Runners will receive professional training support through CharityTeams.com
        • Boundless team spirit, excellent organization, and runner support.

        Exclusive Esplanade Perks:

        • Branded Esplanade Association merch
        • 50 bulbs will be planted in the park in your honor
        • Recognition in our next Annual Report
        • The opportunity to build meaningful relationships with EA staff, your fellow runners, and others

        Fundraising and Marketing Assistance:

        • Esplanade Association-hosted group fundraising event
        • The Esplanade Association accepts matching gifts towards your fundraising goal
        • A personal fundraising page on GivenGain
        • Social media sharing to broaden your audience
        • Marketing support for runner-hosted fundraising events
        • Fundraising and marketing tips and tricks
        • Runners will receive professional fundraising support


        TEAM ESPLANADE Commitment



        • Runners without a qualifying time:
          • If selected on our team, you must pay a $100 team fee upon acceptance to secure your spot. This does not apply to your fundraising commitment.
          • Commit to raising $12,000 USD
          • Pay a $375 race entry fee to the Boston Athletic Association in January. 
        • Runners with a qualifying time or a bib:
          • If selected on our team, pay a $100 team fee. This does not apply to your fundraising commitment. 
          • Commit to raising $3,000 USD
        • Represent the Esplanade Association with energy and enthusiasm for our mission!
        • Abide by all terms and conditions required by the B.A.A. for participation in the Bank of America Boston Marathon®
        • Submit a timely B.A.A. Marathon Registration and pay B.A.A. Registration Fee by the given deadline
        • More details on the runner commitment can be viewed on our application, apply today!

              As we await Charity Program status for the 131st Boston Marathon, you are more than welcome to share your info and we’ll be in touch with next steps in the application process.


              Join team esplanade!

              Please feel free to contact our Team Manager Analisa Spina at marathon@esplanade.org with any questions about recruitment or ways to support the team!




              Resources for Runners


              Charles River Running Map

              Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.)

              B.A.A. Official Charity Program 



              Support Provided By 





              Help TEAM ESPLANADE cross the finish line!

              The post TEAM ESPLANADE & The Boston Marathon appeared first on The Esplanade Association.

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