In the Winter of 2023 to 2024, we hosted the wonder of Hatchlings, a 100% solar-powered winter lights display presented by the Esplanade Association, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Studio HHH, in partnership with DCR.
The multidisciplinary design team at Studio HHH imagined, what if… the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell on The Esplanade hatched baby “shells”, which roamed through the city like the adventurous hatchlings of Boston’s favorite children’s book, Make Way for Ducklings (Robert McCloskey, 1941)?
The Esplanade Association is thrilled to partner with DCR, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and Studio HHH to produce Hatchlings, a winter lights display inspired by the Art Deco architecture and performing arts history of the DCR Hatch Shell. The Hatchlings are miniature Hatch Shell pavilions covered in 100% solar-powered LED lights, combining innovation, artistry, and sustainability to create a unique all-ages activation from November 22nd, 2023 to February 25th, 2024.
The Esplanade’s Hatchlings are placed at two key sites to invite reflection on the past, present, and future of performing arts spaces in the landmarked riverfront park. A miniature Hatch Shell standing approximately 4 ½’ tall in the area of the former Lee Memorial Pool, next to the Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields, presents a glimpse of the future for the site as the Esplanade Association advances its project to build, program and maintain the Charlesbank Landing visitors center, a 2-acre site improvement which will bring, among other year-round amenities, a new performing arts venue to the Esplanade. The second miniature Hatch Shell, standing approximately 8’ tall, will face the original Hatch Shell and will serve as a dynamic space for family-friendly performances from a diverse range of talented local artists throughout the activation period.
Studio HHH’s commitment to maintaining consistent solar energy throughout the darkest months of the year reflects their dedication to advancing sustainability in the arts, and the Esplanade Association is proud to feature an arts activation in keeping with the principles of our Climate Action Statement. Learn more about the Esplanade Association’s Climate Action Statement, and forthcoming Climate Action Plan.
Join us on the Esplanade and along the Rose Kennedy Greenway to experience these nine miniature Hatch Shells, each lit up with color-changing lights!
When
Hatchlings are on view every evening from dusk until late evening, from November 22nd, 2023 to February 25th, 2024. Due to the nature of solar panels, the end time will vary depending on the weather.
Where & How to Enjoy
The Esplanade will feature two of the nine Hatchlings. See our map link below for more details.
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- Enjoy the riverfront scenery at our miniature Hatch Shell installation near the Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields. This Hatchling is nearest to the Blossom Street Footbridge entrance to the Esplanade. Four handicap parking spots are available at this location. There is an at-grade, ADA-compliant park entrance at Charles River Dam Road, across from the Science Park / West End MBTA station. The Science Park / West End MBTA station is approximately ¼ mile from the installation location.
- Stand inside our ¼ replica of the original Hatch Shell, located between the Hatch Shell and the Esplanade Playspace playground. This Hatchling is visible from the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge entrance to the Esplanade. There is no parking available at this location. There is an ADA-compliant park entrance at the Fanny Appleton Footbridge, across from the Charles / MGH MBTA station. The Charles / MGH MBTA station is approximately ½ mile from the installation location.
Click or tap here to see events and programs hosted by our friends at the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
Thank you everyone who attended Frosty Fridays!
The Esplanade Association was thrilled to welcome over 300 attendees to our three Frosty Fridays events, a series of programmed events during Hatchlings:
- Friday, December 1, 2023 (6:00p-8:00p)
- A holiday music performance by a quartet of handbell players from the Back Bay Ringers
- FREE Hot Chocolate
- Friday, January 5, 2024 (5:00-7:00p)
- A unique musical and dance performance from the Cambridge Hip Hop Collective
- FREE Hot Chocolate
- Friday, February 2, 2024 (5:00p-7:00p)
- A pop-up musical performance and dance party hosted by A Trike Called Funk
- FREE Hot Chocolate
Experience the magic of Hatchlings and share your moments with us by using the hashtags: #HatchlingsWinterLights, #HatchlingsOnTheEsplanade, and #HatchlingsOnTheGreenway. Follow us @esplanadeinboston, @rosekennedygreenway to learn more.
Meet our Partners!
Rose Kennedy Greenway
About The Greenway Conservancy
The Greenway is a contemporary public park in the heart of Boston. The Greenway welcomes millions of visitors annually to gather, play, unwind, and explore. The Greenway Conservancy is the non-profit responsible for the management and care of The Greenway. The majority of the public park’s annual budget is generously provided by private sources.
Studio HHH
Studio HHH is a local design studio specializing in creative interventions within the built environment and public realm, led by founder/creative director Vanessa Till Hooper and art production manager Emily Castro. The studio team of all-women designers and artists, including sustainability specialist Teresita Cochran, develops meaningful and engaging experiences at the intersection of art, architecture, and technology. Studio HHH was founded in 2018 in Somerville, MA. They currently operate in Boston, The Berkshires in western MA, and Brooklyn, NY.
Mass DCR
The Department of Conservation and Recreation is steward of one of the largest state parks systems in the country. Its 450,000 acres is made up of forests, parks, greenways, historic sites and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and watersheds.
Working in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
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