Completed Projects
The Esplanade Association has a strong track record of raising funds for the park and implementing successful capital improvements. Some of our projects include the restoration of the Hatch Shell Oval and Eliot Memorial; design and installation of two new play spaces; three state-of-the-art ball fields; five newly renovated docks; refurbished public restrooms; the restoration of 278 park benches; a refurbished exercise area; and an ever-improving landscape, with specific emphasis on sustainable horticultural practices.
This webpage is just a featured selection of completed project! To learn more about past projects, reach out to Ali Badrigian, Director of Projects & Planning at abadrigian@esplanade.org
Gronk Playground
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.”
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.
The unique custom designs of Gronk Playground reflect character-defining features of Boston and sports champion Rob Gronkowski, recognizable to so many.
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.
Centennial Fountain At Dartmouth Lagoon
First installed in 1993 to commemorate the Metropolitan District Commission, later absorbed into the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the original Dartmouth Street fountain’s three spouts and lights had been a vibrant landmark on the Esplanade, both day and night, from spring through autumn, for a full generation. Over time, maintenance issues led to smaller replacements, and ultimately mechanics failed, and the last fountain was removed in 2015.
We’re delighted to share that the 2024 installation of the Centennial Fountain was a success. Our dedicated contractor team, including Water & Wetland and DEC Corps, along with invaluable support from DCR, ensured a seamless and beautiful installation.
On Tuesday, October 21, the Centennial Fountain was removed from Dartmouth Lagoon, closing out its first full April-October season. See you next April!
We are extremely grateful to the Lawrence and Lilian Solomon Foundation, especially emeritus EA board member David Solomon, for leadership support of this project.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
