TEA has been working with our state and private partners to restore the Esplanade's dangerous and crumbling dock structures. Since 2003, we have helped oversee the complete restoration of the Gloucester Street Dock and the River Dock near the park's Arthur Fielder sculpture.

River Dock Ribbon Cutting

Under glorious blus skies, The Esplanade Association (TEA) and its partners at the DCR and the EOEA, proudly cut the ribbon on the River Dock on September 9th, 2006. This remarkable project, begun two years ago, was funded with 50% private support raised solely by TEA. The new dock, which replaces the condemned former structure, includes enhanced lighting and electrical capacity and can accomodate tented events.

The River Dock is located adjacent to the Arthur Fiedler sculpture near the Hatch Shell, and serves as an important gateway between the park and the Charles River.

Project Background

The Esplanade’s five wooden docks serve both as berthing for visiting boats and as popular places for people to sit near the water and sunbathe, almost like a beach. A sixth dock, at Community Boating, is for members of the club, which anyone can join. All of the docks need to be repaired or replaced, and one has been closed for safety reasons.

The dock at the Gloucester Landing was redecked in August 2003, thanks to the generosity of Jay Cashman, Inc., who donated labor and materials. This timely contribution added another ten years of life to the dock.

The largest dock on the Esplanade, near the Arthur Fiedler statue, was recently replaced thanks to a partnership with TEA, the DCR, and EOEA. The official ribbon cutting took place in September, 2006, and the dock is already bustling with activity.

The docks are an essential part of the Esplanade’s character as a dynamic riverside park. Imagine the river without the picturesque sight of sailboats tilting in the wind or scullers gliding along. Arthur Shurcliff, landscape architect for the Esplanade, encouraged boating in all forms – the more Venetian, the better, he wrote.

The Esplanade Association is working in partnership with the Union Boat Club and Community Boating to restore all the docks.

Project Location

The docks are located between the Longfellow and Massachusetts Avenue Bridges. Community Boating is close to the Longfellow Bridge, and Commissioners Landing, with its two docks, is nearby. Governor’s Landing is located behind the Hatch Shell. The largest dock is on the river, near Arthur Fiedler’s statue. View the graphic. [PDF, 768Kb]

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The Esplanade Association
10 Derne Street
Boston, MA 02114
617.227.0365