Charlesbank on the Esplanade

CHARLESBANK on the Esplanade

Opening Downtown Boston’s Riverfront to more people, from more places, for more enjoyment year-round

A Mission-Driven Project

When complete in 2026, the forthcoming Charlesbank construction will redefine the experience of the Charles River Esplanade. Driven by the Esplanade Association’s mission, to make life better on the Esplanade for all, this once-ina-generation project will transform part of the riverfront, largely closed off to the public since the 1990s, with new year-round, universally accessible indoor and outdoor amenities for the state park’s 4 million annual visitors from across Boston, the Commonwealth and the globe. The Esplanade Association (EA) will create and animate this welcoming space with free recreational, horticultural, civic, artistic, educational, and cultural programs within a building and landscape flexibly designed for numerous community-generated uses, while demonstrating best practices in environmental stewardship.

The site, designed and named “Charlesbank” by Frederick Law Olmsted as a revolutionary campus for free and inclusive public recreation, will reprise its 19th-century history with 21-st century features for future generations. Located along active cycling and pedestrian trails between major MBTA lines and adjacent parking garages, the new Charlesbank will increase access and welcome people to the entire Esplanade. The campus will boast over 2 acres of landscape improvements: a performance stage and lawn to host audiences of 1000 and more, a flexible plaza and multipurpose courts for a range of outdoor activities, a rain cascade and rain garden with a discovery trail for nature education on green infrastructure and water conservation, native tree groves and pollinator gardens, and new bike racks connecting to the Esplanade’s popular pathway system.

The project will be anchored by a nearly 9000-square foot building, the Smith Family Pavilion, with year-round amenities long sought after by the community. These include a dozen restrooms, reservable community rooms, lobby educational displays, café, free Wi-Fi and information desk, an upper deck and covered patio with river views, arts activations, and easy access to EA’s central offices from where staff steward the park. The building will be adjoined by a nearly 4000 square foot open-air horticulture workspace for park care operations, volunteer program supplies, and more. The Pavilion is designed with solar power, a green upper deck and green wall, rain collection, and storm water mitigation systems that all model sustainability to support climate-conscious and enhanced care of the entire 64-acre Esplanade.

Through community support, EA will fund, design, construct, and gift the Smith Family Pavilion at Charlesbank to the Commonwealth. EA will then lease the campus and building to operate, program, and maintain it for an initial and renewable 30-year term. The environmental, cultural, and recreational benefits will enliven the visitor experience for generations to come. EA is closing in on a current fundraising goal of $20M+ toward this project’s construction and raising funds for successful future operations and maintenance.

Numerous legislators, civic agencies, community groups, the Boston Globe Editorial Board, and hundreds of individuals have endorsed the project. A unanimous vote by both the State’s House and Senate in July 2022 and legislation signed by Governor Baker that August shows the Commonwealth’s trust in EA to execute the plan. This multimillion-dollar investment will enhance the park which is stewarded by an already successful partnership between EA and the State’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Now is the time to realize this vision.

“We

can’t wait for the first year-round, accessible building, which will further enhance the Esplanade’s connection to Boston and its people.”

Jen Mergel, EA James and Audrey Foster Executive Director

Current Project Timeline

Summer-Fall 2022

Legislation Passed

Spring 2023

May 24 Site Walk with New EA & DCR leadership

2023-2024

Ongoing Permit Applications and Final Approvals; Community Meetings

Winter 2025

Design & Construction Documents Completed; Draft Lease Finalized

Spring 2025

Lease Signed; Groundbreaking; Construction Begins

Fall 2026

Smith Family Pavilion at Charlesbank opens; New Charlesbank landscape complete and EA staff program from site

Proposed Landscape

Sponsorship for 1-5 year Rotating Art Commissions Varies

Please contact Jim Diverio, EA Director of Development, for more information regarding gift opportunities at jdiverio@esplanade.org or 617-227-0365 – Ext. 502. Education/Culture

All gift opportunities are contingent on a signed lease with the Commonwealth, and any final requirements of permitting and construction.

Civic Leadership

EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper

Special Thanks

See complete list of donors here.

Former DCR Commissioners Leo Roy,

Jim Montgomery, Stephanie Cooper, Douglas Rice, and Brian Arrigo and staff

DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle and staff

DCR General Counsel Bob Fitzgerald

DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke

DCAMM Counsel Martha McMahon

DCAMM Sr. Project Manager Rayna Rubin

State Senator William Brownsberger

State Senator Sal DiDomenico

State Senator Lydia Edwards

State Representative Jay Livingstone

Former City Councilor Kenzie Bok

Supporting Organizations

Beacon Hill Civic Association

Boston Art & Music Soul Fest, Inc

Boston Landmarks Orchestra

Charles River Alliance

Charles River Alliance of Boaters

Charles River Conservancy

Charles River Watershed Association

Charlesgate Alliance

Community Boating, Inc

Downtown Boston Business Improvement District

Downtown North Association

East Boston Social Centers

Emerald Necklace Conservancy

Environmental League of Massachusetts

Board of Directors

Chair Alexi Conine

Vice Chair Emi Winterer

Treasurer Harvey Beker

Secretary Tom Lewis

Members

Missy Druley

Jim Febeo

Adam Forkner

Audrey Foster

James Foster

Bob Hedges

Teresa Koster

Jake Lemle

Gonzague de Montrichard

Catherine T. Morris

Dacia Napier

Jeryl Oristaglio (Co-Founder)

Matt Ostrow

Tony Pangaro

Clare Richer

Carolina Säve

Mary Lou Seidner

Frederic Wittmann

Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkin

City of Boston Chief Climate Officer Brian Swett

View through Breezeway

The Friends of Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields

Friends of the Public Garden

Garden Club of Back Bay

Hill House

LivableStreets

MassAudubon

Massachusetts General Brigham

Mel Lederman Memorial

Muddy Water Initiative

Museum of Science

Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay

North End Music & Performing Arts Center

Vilna Shul

WalkMassachusetts

West End Civic Association

The West End Museum

Directors Emeriti T.K. Ankner

Dan Capobianco

Fritz Casselman*

Chris Egan

Alicia Towns Franken

Margo Newman

Joan Patton

Frank Panayotou

Margaret Pokorny

David Solomon

Sandy Steele

* (1949-2025)

Thank you to Maryann Thompson Architects (‘MTA’) and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (‘MVVA’) for project renderings and partnership.

Thank you to Goulston & Storrs, Fort Point Associates, Tom Goemaat Project Management, Lee Kennedy Company, and their staff and associates for project contributions to date.

All information within this publication updated on October 28, 2025.