Fiedler Field Restoration Project
Restoring Fiedler Field: A Community Endeavor
Fiedler Field is a hub for activity along the Charles River Esplanade, providing 75,000 square feet of riverfront greenspace for public enjoyment with views of Cambridge and the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell. Anchored by the Arthur Fiedler Memorial sculpture, this dynamic space sees year-round engagement – from its past as a children’s playground, to its present activities, which include everything from sunbathing and dogwalking, to community recreation programs and large-scale events. After decades of steady use, this well-loved area is proposed for a revitalization project by the Esplanade Association.
Fiedler Field currently sees challenges with soil compaction and low nutrient density, uneven and splotchy groundcover, seasonal shifts from dust to mud, and the remnants of the old playground’s foundation. Heavy use, lack of routine maintenance, and cycles of drought and inundation due to our changing climate have exacerbated these issues in recent years.
The Esplanade Association proposes a multi-pronged approach to address these challenges and restore Fiedler Field as a safe and comfortable greenspace for community activation:
- A project to overhaul the Field, with tasks including:
- Removal and proper disposal of buried playground foundation and low-quality soil
- Grading and tilling of the area
- Installation of the Field’s first irrigation system
- Increasing soil nutrient density and water absorption with fresh loam and compost
- Planting 100% Kentucky Bluegrass
- A comprehensive maintenance fund and annual plan in partnership with the Department of Conservation & Recreation, incorporating seasonal routine maintenance and upkeep after special events
- A new Esplanade Association staff position, Turf Specialist, will oversee the project and ongoing maintenance to ensure the Field is healthy for years to come.
Active construction would impact Fiedler Field access for only 8-12 weeks and would be scheduled for the early fall season. The entire project (including fundraising, permitting, park work and maintenance fund) is expected to cost nearly $600,000 and take 12-24 months to realize.
Thank you for your interest in the project to revitalize Fiedler Field. Together, we can restore this space to be sustainable and vibrant, for everyone!
Overhead of Fiedler Field, showing remnants of the old concrete playground
2023 Summer River Fit CorePower Yoga class on Fiedler Field.
Arthur Fiedler Memorial on a Fall day
Help Us Make This Vision a Reality!
Do you love Fiedler Field? Are you passionate about parks and greenspace? The Esplanade Association is forming a special Horticultural Project Committee to champion support and engagement for this project, and future park stewardship projects to come. Committee members will help with strategic planning, fundraising initiatives, and project progress reviews.
If you’re interested in joining the new EA Horticultural Committee, please contact info@esplanade.org.
To learn more about the Esplanade Association’s ongoing park stewardship and other horticultural projects, please contact Jim Doyle, Director of Park Operations at jdoyle@esplanade.org
