Esplanade Association Projects
Since our founding in 2001, the Esplanade Association has been the catalyst for over $28M dollars in park improvements. Some of our capital projects have included rebuilding the river docks, building two new playgrounds, renovating the Hatch Shell and Dartmouth restroom facilities, restoring the Lotta Fountain, revitalizing the Eliot Memorial, and restoring the Hatch Shell Oval Lawn.
Through our partnership with the DCR, as well as the involvement of supporters and partner organizations, we have visibly improved the park, but there is still much to be done. We continue to advocate and fundraise for current and future projects to transform the Esplanade.
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. Be on the lookout for a Save the Date for a Spring 2024 Ribbon Cutting!
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 hosted “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 featured 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 encouraged reflection on the past, present, and future of performing arts spaces in the park. The project aligned with EA’s commitment to sustainability. The public could enjoy the nine Hatchlings, with two located on the Esplanade, offering various viewpoints and experiences. An estimated 90,000 visitors enjoyed the two Hatchlings on the Esplanade, with 250+ participating in our Frosty Fridays series, which featured musical performances and free hot chocolate to enhance this winter art experience. See esplanade.org/hatchlings for more details on this past project.
Charlesbank Landing
Charlesbank Landing on the Esplanade is set to transform a long-underutilized 2-acre site. EA, in partnership with Mass DCR, will transform a neglected 2-acre site into a welcoming destination, featuring year-round, universally accessible spaces for recreational, civic, artistic, educational, and cultural activities. The project, funded and managed by the Esplanade Association, places a strong emphasis on environmental improvements, prioritizing climate change mitigation and sustainable practices. Representing a historic contribution to the Commonwealth’s state park system, the project’s total value exceeds $20 million, ensuring the site’s enhancement and community engagement for decades to come.
Coming Soon: Gronk Playground
The Esplanade Association is thrilled to partner with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) and former Patriots and Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski to bring a brand new playground to the Esplanade, thanks to a generous pledge of over $1 million from the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation.
Gronk Playground will become a new destination in Boston, promoting cooperative play, increasing awareness of the importance of fitness and movement, and complementing the historic riverfront character of the Esplanade. For the latest, check out the DCR project page here.
Access & 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.
