GRONK PLAYGROUND: ALL WELCOME TO PLAY
On August 19, we celebrated this new state-of-the-art playground with Rob Gronkowski, Gronk Nation Youth Foundation, CharityTeams, and MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. Special guests included youth and families from the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Hill House, and local community centers! The day was peak Boston energy, with Gronk’s duck boat entrance, kids crossing a “Boston Marathon” finish line, and the Governor going down the slide with Rob!
“Just as Gronk modeled on the field, this playground was realized with dedicated teamwork and a commitment to share inspiration, joy and a passion for play for the next generation. EA was thrilled to connect Gronk to the Esplanade to realize this playground, and cannot wait to expand access to this amazing destination with all of the welcome and wellness amenities of Charlesbank!” said Jen Mergel, James & Audrey Foster Executive Director of the Esplanade Association.
Read more about the day here!
Rob Gronkowski’s Gronk Nation Youth Foundation has realized the 2021 plan to fund the transformation of the former Charlesbank Playground as the “Gronk Playground.” The site has been renamed with support from the Commonwealth to acknowledge Gronk as local champion and youth fitness advocate.
Open as of summer 2025 with the latest accessibility standards and custom equipment, this “destination playground” within the Charles River Esplanade state park is designed and located for children of all ages, abilities and neighborhoods across Greater Boston, the Commonwealth and beyond. While ADA accessible to 21st-century standards, Gronk Playground carries forward the history of the oldest part of the Esplanade, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1880s as the first free public park gymnasia in all of North America. The riverfront location Olmsted called “Charlesbank” is not only historic but strategic for broad community access. It is accessible by foot between the public transit stops of Science Park, North Station and Charles/MGH, and adjacent within the park to Alfond Spray Deck and the safe drop-off to the year-round welcome center the Smith Family Pavilion at Charlesbank (open summer 2026).
The unique custom designs of Gronk Playground reflect character-defining features of Boston and sports champion Rob Gronkowski, recognizable to so many. These include illustrations of the city’s historic marathon route, replicas of skyline and river features, and rides like Gronk’s favorite form of transportation during championship parades: mini duck boats. A large football structure is positioned as Gronk’s signature touchdown “spike”!
This project was funded with nearly $2M of support raised by the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation, and additional support from the Esplanade Association (EA) and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Beyond DCR’s construction and EA’s ongoing maintenance, the joy of Gronk Playground would not be possible without champion football tight end Rob Gronkowski, the Gronkowski Family, Susan Hurley of CharityTeams, State Representative Jay Livingstone, State Senator Sal DiDomenico and our elected Massachusetts and City of Boston leadership.
Playing with Friends (2022)– A video to inspire ongoing support for Gronk Playground
Watch Rob Gronkowski and a young boy find space to run and play on the Esplanade. Written, directed, and edited by Ian Squared.
“Fund-raising philanthropist Susan Hurley, who died at 62, was Boston’s marathon woman” by Bryan Marquad
Read about her impact here: Boston Globe
Gronk’s 2021 vision to update the old Charlesbank Playground with more modernized and more accessible equipment for children of all ages and abilities is a reality! He’s excited for the new Gronk Playground to inspire the next generation of youth fitness!
2021 Photo by Sebastian Gonzalez Quintero
