CHARLESBANK LANDING
A Transformational Project on the Charles River Esplanade
A Mission-Driven Project
Charlesbank Landing (CBL) 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-in-a-generation project will transform part of the riverfront, largely closed off to the public since the 1990s, with new yearround, universally accessible indoor and outdoor spaces 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 “landing” with free recreational, horticultural, civic, artistic, educational, and cultural programs within a building and landscape flexibly designed for numerous communitygenerated uses, while demonstrating best practices in environmental stewardship.
The site, located along active biking and pedestrian trails between major MBTA lines and adjacent parking garages, will increase access and welcome people to the entire Esplanade. CBL will boast over 2 acres of landscape improvements: an arts and event lawn with a stage and space to host 1000 visitors, a multipurpose recreation area and plaza with two multi-sport courts, a rain garden serving both nature play and as an outdoor classroom, native tree groves and pollinator gardens, and new bike racks connecting to the Esplanade’s popular pathway system.
CBL will be anchored by a nearly 9000-square foot building with yearround amenities long sought after by the community. These include restrooms, reservable community rooms, lobby educational displays, café, free Wi-Fi and information desk, a 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, park operations, and program storage. CBL is designed with solar power, a planted green upper
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Lobby with Café, Displays, Welcome Desk
deck, rain barrels, and storm water mitigation system that all model sustainability to support climate-conscious and enhanced care of the entire 64-acre Esplanade.
EA will fund, design, construct, and gift CBL to the Commonwealth. EA will then lease the building and operate, program, and maintain it for an initial and renewable 30-year term. With EA’s stewardship, CBL’s environmental, cultural, and recreational benefits will enliven the visitor experience for generations to come. EA is closing in on a current fundraising goal of $18.5M toward this project.
Numerous legislators, over 25 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 later that year shows the Commonwealth’s trust in EA to execute the plan. This multimillion-dollar project 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.
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View from Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields to the Charlesbank Landing building, with Arts Lawn and Multipurpose Courts in foreground
“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
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Green Upper Deck View to Museum of Science
Current Project Timeline
Summer-Fall 2022
Legislation Passed
Spring 2023
May 24 Site Walk with New EA & DCR leadership
Summer-Fall 2023
Environmental Review & Permits
Community Meetings: June 22 & October 31
Spring 2024
Lease Signed with Commonwealth
Winter 2024
Groundbreaking
Late 2025
Building Complete
Spring 2026
Final plantings and open for EA’s 25th Anniversary, United States’ 250th, and World Cup in Boston
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Proposed Landscape
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Gift Opportunities
as of 2/8/24.
All gift opportunities are contingent on a signed lease with the Commonwealth, and any final requirements of permitting and construction.
Please contact Jim Diverio, EA Director of Development, for more information regarding gift opportunities jdiverio@esplanade.org or 617-227-0365 – Ext. 502.
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Updated
Charlesbank Landing Gift Opportunities Value Given Charlesbank Landing Building $ 5,000,000 yes Welcome Lobby $ 2,500,000 Event Lawn / Arts Lawn $ 2,500,000 Full Outdoor Recreation Space $ 2,000,000 Upper Deck $ 1,500,000 yes Canopy Level Community Room $ 1,000,000 yes Garden Patio $ 1,000,000 Nature Play Area $ 1,000,000 Garden Community Rooms (2) - $375,000 each $ 750,000 (2) yes (1) Operations/Horticulture/Maintenance Facility $ 750,000 yes Outdoor Courts (2) $ 500,000 each yes (1) Rain Barrels (2) - $150,000 each $ 300,000 (2) EA Offices $ 250,000 Outdoor Stairway (Riverside) $ 250,000 Outdoor Stairway (Courtside) $ 200,000 Breezeway $ 200,000 Front Entrance Patio $ 150,000 yes Wall Map of the Esplanade $ 150,000 Café $ 150,000 yes Lobby Gallery/Display Cases $ 150,000 Bike Rack (40 bikes) $ 150,000 yes Welcome-Info-Reservation Desk $ 150,000 Interior Stairway $ 150,000 Elevator $ 150,000 Rotating Art “Presented By” for 3-10 year commitments Varies
Lobby View from Welcome Desk onto Displays and Café
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Upper Deck view to Mural Wall on Horticulture Center, Multipurpose Courts & Plaza
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Aerial View of Main Entrance and Rain Garden
View Between Nature Play and Arts Lawn
Special Thanks
Civic Leadership
DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo
DCR Deputy Commissioner Zachary Crowley
DCR Chief of Staff Kim Hanton
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
Environmental League of Massachusetts
The Friends of Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields
Friends of the Public Garden
Garden Club of Back Bay
Hill House
LivableStreets
Board of Directors
Chair Alexi Conine
Vice Chair Emi Winterer
Treasurer Harvey Beker
Secretary Tom Lewis
Members
Casey Baines
Missy Druley
Adam Forkner
Audrey Foster
James Foster
Montez Haywood
Bob Hedges
Teresa Koster
Gonzague de Montrichard
Catherine T. Morris
Jeryl Oristaglio (Co-Founder)
Matt Ostrow
Tony Pangaro
Joan Patton
Clare Richer
Carolina Säve
Mary Lou Seidner
Hope Sidman
MassAudubon
Massachusetts General Hospital
Mel Lederman Memorial
Muddy Water Initiative
Museum of Science
Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay North End Music & Performing Arts Center
WalkBoston
West End Civic Association
The West End Museum
Directors Emeriti
T.K. Ankner
Dan Capobianco
Fritz Casselman
Chris Egan
Alicia Towns Franken
Margo Newman
Frank Panayotou
Margaret Pokorny
David Solomon
Sandy Steele
Thank you to Maryann Thompson Architects (‘MTA’) and Michael
Van Valkenburgh Associates (‘MVVA’) for project renderings and partnership.
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Canopy Community Room Open to Upper Deck
information within this publication updated on May 1, 2024.
View of Storrow Drive drop off and entry from Blossom Street Footbridge Arts Lawn with View of Covered Garden PatioAll