Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park

Images of the new Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park in East Cambridge

The new Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park will be open for use at the end of the day on Friday, September 17, 2021. 

The design of the park (formerly known as Rogers Street Park) was informed by the Eastern Cambridge/Kendall Open Space Study and Connect Kendall Square Open Space Competition, which resulted in a framework plan that will guide the development of three new parks in eastern Cambridge.

Click here to sign up for project updates via email. 


September 17, 2021: Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park to open for use 

The Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park will be open and available for public use at the end of the day Friday, September 17, 2021.

Please note that the park entrance at the corner of Third Street and Rogers Street will remain closed for the time being due to ongoing sidewalk and roadway work. The park entrances at the other three corners of the site, as well as mid-block on Rogers Street, will be open. Temporary perimeter construction fences between the park entrances may still be in place over the next schedule days as removal is being scheduled, but the park entrances will be open and the park will be available for use.

A park dedication ceremony and opening celebration has been scheduled for Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. Please check back this on page for more information or click here to sign up for email updates.

 

June 2021: Construction Update

Significant progress has been made at the Toomey Park site, and the park is on target to be opened later this summer.

Recently Completed Work:

  • Waterplay & splash pad surfacing
  • Farm pump & sand play
  • Play structures
  • Pergola and shades structures
  • Safety surfacing
  • Sub-surface utilities

Ongoing work:

  • Site furnishings
  • Installation of trees & plant materials
  • Irrigation
  • Electrical connections & site lighting
  • Drinking fountains
  • Grading, east

Upcoming work:

  • Subgrade, grade, west
  • Planting soils
  • Dog park surfacing, fencing, features
  • Sod and seeding
  • Site lighting
  • Signage
  • Interior pavement
  • Sidewalk reconstruction on Second & Third Streets
  • Site fencing

 

Construction Progress Photos:

View of construction progress at Toomey Park showing climbing structure
View of climbing structure, looking towards Rogers Street

View of construction progress at Toomey Park showing tree plantings and shade structure over slide area
View of tree plantings and shade structure over slides area

View of construction progress at Toomey Park showing play equipment on hill looking towards Third Street
Play equipment on hill looking toward Third Street

View of construction progress at Toomey Park showing underground infiltration chambers to manage stormwater
Underground infiltration chambers to manage stormwater

 

January 2021: Temporary Dog Park at CRA 3rd and Binney Street Civic Space

The City of Cambridge has partnered with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) to establish a temporary off-leash dog park at the CRA’s 3rd and Binney Street Civic Space located at 174 Binney Street. The dog park is scheduled to open on Monday, January 11, 2021 and be operational through Fall 2021 while park construction is underway.

This temporary dog park will provide a fenced area for dogs to play off-leash while construction is underway at the new Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park. Construction of Toomey Park is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2021. Once park construction, including the permanent dog run located at the park, is completed, the 3rd and Binney Street Civic Space will no longer be used for off-leash use and will once again be made available to food trucks and other community amenities.

The City’s off-leash rules and regulations will apply to this space and be enforced by the City of Cambridge Animal Commission. The hours of operation are from dawn to dusk.

 

August 2020: Construction Updates

Below are updates on construction of Toomey Park, as of early August 2020:

  • Drainage and infiltration structures to capture 76,250 gallons of stormwater has been completed.
  • Water utilities to support proposed play areas water features, drinking fountains, irrigation system is ongoing.
  • Electrical utilities to support power to the site, site lighting, water features, and irrigation is ongoing.
  • Site earthwork and rough grading is ongoing.
  • Placement of stone boulders at the play areas has begun at the east side of the property.
  • Footings for the building and retainage walls (for green park equipment storage/charging area) have been completed.
  • Building walls are complete
  • The building roof and retaining walls are in progress.

 

June 2020: Construction to Resume at Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park

In accordance with the City’s amended Temporary Emergency Construction Order issued on May 21, 2020, construction activity will resume at the Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park in early June 2020. The completion date of the park is currently estimated to be Fall 2021.

December 2019: Construction to Begin at Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park

The City's construction contractor will begin mobilization at the Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park (formerly known as Rogers Street Park) in December 2019. 

During this time, the temporary off-leash area will be closed for construction along with the rest of the field area. Click here to view nearby off-leash areas during the closure

A new, permanent dog run will be constructed as part of the new park design. The dog run will include surface and drainage improvements, a dog-friendly water fountain, seating, plantings, and a second entryway. 

The overall park will also include children's play areas, picnic tables and benches, a sports field/event lawn, a park maintenance facility, and tree and landscape plantings. 

Construction is expected to be completed by Summer 2021. 

November 8, 2017: Plans for Rogers Street Park 

On Wednesday, November 8, 2017 a meeting was held at the East End House, 2015 Spring Street, at 7:00 p.m. to provide a design update on Rogers Park. 

Click here to view materials for Rogers Street Park presented on November 8, 2017.

November 3, 2016: Public Meeting to View Park Designs

On Thursday, November 3, 2016, a public meeting to view designs for three new open spaces in eastern Cambridge, including Rogers Street Park was held at the Kennedy-Longfellow School Cafeteria, 158 Spring Street, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 

Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. introduced the Rogers Street Park site and present initial design concepts. Stoss Landscape Urbanism also presented designs for Binney Street Park and Triangle Park, based on concepts presented at the June 2016 public meeting.

2012-2013: Kendall Square/Central Square (K2C2) Planning Study

2012: Telephone survey on open space use in eastern Cambridge

2013-2014: Eastern Cambridge/Kendall Square Open Space (ECKOS) Study Committee conducts public process to develop Vision and Goals for open spaces in eastern Cambridge

2014-2015: Connect Kendall Square Open Space Competition to develop open space framework based on Vision and Goals

2016-2019: Design of new open spaces, guided by open space framework

2019: Construction of Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park begins

2021: Anticipated park opening

 

The Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park, (formerly known as Rogers Street Park), along with Binney Street Park and Triangle Park, is one of three new City open spaces being developed in eastern Cambridge. The design of the park was guided by the Eastern Cambridge/Kendall Square Open Space (ECKOS) Study and Connect Kendall Square Open Space Competition, which resulted in a framework plan for the overall network of open spaces in eastern Cambridge.

Click here to find out more about the ECKOS Study, Open Space Competition, and resulting framework plan.

For more information, please contact Gary Chan via email at gchan@cambridgema.gov or by phone at 617/349-4603.