Charlesbank on the Esplanade
Opening in 2026, the Charlesbank campus and new Smith Family Pavilion will transform an area of the park that has been largely closed off to the public since the 1990s into a welcoming destination, providing space for a wide variety of uses for visitors. In the summer of 2022, legislation was passed and signed by the Governor, creating the opportunity for the Esplanade Association to activate a neglected, but invaluable, 2-acre site in the park.
The project will support community needs with the creation of a new, year–round, universally accessible space for the Esplanade and includes numerous indoor and outdoor spaces designed for recreational, civic, artistic, educational, and cultural activities. It will provide wide-ranging environmental improvements focused on climate change mitigation and sustainable practices.
The Esplanade Association is responsible for funding the project and managing the operation of Charlesbank over the next several decades. The total value of this gift will exceed $20M and represents one of the largest gifts to the Commonwealth’s state park system in history. Learn more here.
Climate Action Plan
We are thrilled to announce the release of the first version of our Climate Action Plan report, published in June 2024!
This report, researched and written by EA staff members, outlines over 80 action items that we are dedicated to implementing in our organization to ensure the Esplanade is prepared for a changing climate. Our Climate Action Plan reflects our commitment to sustainability and our proactive approach to addressing climate change at EA. From enhancing our in-park sustainability practices to fostering community engagement, each action item is designed to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future.
We invite you to explore our Climate Action Plan and join us in our efforts to create a greener, healthier, and more sustainable Esplanade for everyone! For more information, visit: esplanade.org/climate
Access and Safety
Since 2018, the Esplanade Association has partnered with DCR and with project contractors including Nelson/Nygaard, Stoss, and Neighborways to analyze use of the Esplanade’s pathway network and propose plans to improve safety and access for park visitors. Most recently, in late 2023, the Esplanade Association worked to improve safety for park visitors at two popular park entrances with crosswalks along Back Street. Learn more about our crosswalks project here. In 2024, the Esplanade Association will embark on a data and research project to learn more about the impact of our past projects, as well as current best practices in multi-use pathway design in New England, and around the world. Learn more about our past Pathway Safety projects here.
Lasting Esplanade Arbor Fund (L.E.A.F)
In 2019, the Esplanade Association launched its Lasting Esplanade Arbor Fund (L.E.A.F.) initiative – a tree canopy enhancement plan being executed in partnership between the Esplanade Association and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The foundation of the L.E.A.F. initiative is a tree management and succession plan prepared for the Esplanade by Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture. This multiyear tree canopy enhancement project secures the future health of the Esplanade’s trees by increasing species diversity, laying guidelines for succession plantings to replace dead and declining trees, and making recommendations for preventative care such as pruning and air spading. The L.E.A.F. initiative is a key feature of the Esplanade Association’s forthcoming Climate Action Plan. Since its launch in 2019, the Esplanade Association has planted over 150 trees in partnership with DCR. Learn more and support our efforts here.
Gronk Playground
The Esplanade Association, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation(DCR) and former Patriots and Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski, opened a brand new playground on the Esplanade, thanks to a generous pledge of over $1 million from the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation.
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. Gronk Playground promotes cooperative play, increasing awareness of the importance of fitness and movement, and complementing the historic riverfront character of the Esplanade. Learn more here.
Centennial Fountain at Dartmouth Lagoon
A fountain was first installed in 1993 in the lagoon by the current Dartmouth Footbridge but due to maintenance issues the mechanics failed over time, and the last fountain was removed in 2015. Thanks to a great collaboration with DCR’s ecology, electrical, and operations crews, the next fountain will revive the site with an improved park experience. In 2024, EA will coordinate the installation of a seasonal Auquamaster fountain when risks of fresh water freezing pass. EA will coordinate with local vendor Water & Wetland and DCR for annual seasonal installation and deinstallation.
EA will use visuals on the medallion and from DCR and news archives to select a fountain that is historically accurate to the original but with new features. Rather than continuous white lights and less efficient power, the new fountain would function with more ecologically sustainable systems and programmable LEDs. Expect more efficient water flows that enhance the lagoon’s water aeration and circulation to improve river ecology, increasing beneficial oxygenation and reducing harmful algae growth. EA would also have the capacity to present community-responsive light and water displays in ranging colors as a signal for national awareness causes, local team pride, holidays, programmed events, and more.
Hatchlings: A Solar-Powered Winter Lights Display
EA is thrilled to host “Hatchlings,” a solar-powered winter lights display from November 22, 2023, to February 25, 2024. Developed by Studio HHH in collaboration with DCR and the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the display features miniature Hatch Shell pavilions adorned with 100% solar-powered LED lights, paying homage to the Art Deco architecture and performing arts history of the DCR Hatch Shell. Placed at two significant sites in the park, these Hatchlings encourage reflection on the past, present, and future of performing arts spaces in the park. The project aligns with EA’s commitment to sustainability. The public can enjoy the nine Hatchlings, with two located on the Esplanade, offering various viewpoints and experiences. Frosty Fridays, a series of programmed events during Hatchlings, features performances and free hot chocolate, enhancing the winter experience. See esplanade.org/hatchlings for more details.
PUMPHOUSE MURALS
In July 2019, the Esplanade Association commissioned 3 new art murals on the Esplanade. The murals transformed 3 pumphouses – structures used to regulate water drainage – from cement blocks covered with graffiti, to public art installations that delight passersby in the park and on Storrow Drive. Learn more about the pumphouses here.
ESPLANADE WELCOME KIOSKS
The Esplanade is a continuous park that stretches over 3 miles from the Museum of Science to the Boston University Bridge on the Boston side of the Charles River. Within the park there are various amenities, historic monuments, recreational facilities, and gathering areas. Until the Esplanade Welcome Kiosks project, the signage in the park widely varied in design and purpose.
In an effort to improve the park experience for all users, the Esplanade Association partnered with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Halvorson Design Partnership, Flanders + Associates, and Design Communications Limited to design, fabricate, and install informative Welcome Kiosks at 7 key entry points to the Esplanade. The Kiosks provide visitors with a comprehensive map of the park, highlighting points of interest and facilities, as well as historical information and seasonal programming calendars.
This project was funded by contributions from Esplanade Association members, the George B. Henderson Foundation, the Lynch Foundation, and the Museum of Science.
PATTERNED BEHAVIOR ART MURAL
Patterned Behavior (2017) by Silvia Lopez Chavez is an art mural commissioned by the Esplanade Association and curated and produced by Now + There. Learn more about public art on the Esplanade.
LOTTA FOUNTAIN RESTORATION
For generations, the Lotta Fountain was a destination spot for dog owners visiting the Charles River Esplanade. It was a place where owners could relax and socialize while providing their canine friends with cool water on hot summer days. The six-foot granite fountain was designed and constructed by sculptor Katherine Lane Weems in 1939 in the name of entertainer and philanthropist Lotta Crabtree, for the benefit of people and their thirsty canine companions. Learn more.
HATCH OVAL RESTORATION
Over the years, constant exposure and overuse had placed a toll on the Hatch Shell structure and surrounding area. In response to the pressing need to restore and repair this vital area, the Esplanade Association launched a campaign to raise funds, and in partnership with the DCR, began the work in the fall of 2013 to overhaul the Hatch Shell Oval Lawn. Learn more.
ELIOT MEMORIAL REVITALIZATION
In 2010, the Esplanade Association (EA) partnered with the DCR to revitalize the Eliot Memorial. A focal point of a shaded area near the Community Boating, Inc. docks, the Memorial had suffered overuse and neglect over the years – the surrounding soil was compacted, the paths had disappeared, and there was a lack of adequate seating. READ MORE
ESPLANADE 2020 A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
In 2009 the Esplanade Association (EA) initiated Esplanade 2020 A Vision for the Future in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). In 2010, EA assembled a team of leading Boston design and planning specialists to take a fresh look at every element of the park. READ MORE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Since EA’s founding in 2001 through 2024, we as an organization have raised over $50 Million towards the revitalization, maintenance, and enhancement of the Charles River Esplanade.
