The latest designs of Clement Morgan Park were featured at the Arts in the Park event on Saturday, September 28. The designs reflected minor changes from what was shown at the June 2024 Port Party. One of the more significant changes was in the Dog Park area and the Adult Fitness area; existing trees and lilac bushes will be preserved and not removed as earlier designs indicated. Another design change is renaming the Adult Fitness area to a “Teen Space/Bouldering” area. The park designs are in the final design stage.
Other project updates discussed at the event include:
- Park construction is anticipated to begin spring 2025, lasting about a year
- Street construction will begin in summer 2025
- Follow the project webpage for continued project updates, including a construction kickoff event in spring 2025
View the latest designs here.
Arts in the Park: Saturday, September 28, 1 - 5 p.m.
*Rain Date will be Sunday, September 29*
The Cambridge Department of Public Works with Adius Arts Initiative & Everybody Gotta Eat present Arts in the Park 2024.
Enjoy food, live art, music, activities and more! This event is FREE and ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.
Learn about The Port Infrastructure Improvements Project, see final designs of the park and streets, and learn how to best prepare for upcoming construction.
View the full event flyer here.
The Port Park Party: Tuesday, June 4, 3 - 7 p.m.
Join us for a sneak peek at design plans for the new Clement Morgan Park and the Paolillo Tot Lot. Give feedback on park elements including playground and fitness equipment.
Also enjoy: Treats • Activities for children • And more FREE • ALL AGES WELCOME
View the full event flyer here.
The Port Infrastructure Working Group Meeting #9 - Tuesday, May 7, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Zoom
The next Working Group meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Zoom. In the meeting, we will:
- Share updates on technical work progress
- Review and discuss design proposals for Clement Morgan Park and discuss upcoming engagement approach
- Preview anticipated schedule and milestones in the next year
Meetings are open to the public. Join this meeting at: https://cbi-org.zoom.us/j/88623810318.
Construction Notice: Utility Work Starting at Harvard St. and Prospect St. Beginning March 15th
As part of the Port Infrastructure Project, the City’s contractor D'Allessandro Corp. has been installing new water main piping along Harvard Street. Beginning March 15th, crews will begin working at the intersection of Harvard St. and Prospect St.
Access to Harvard St. will be restricted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. This work is expected to last 6 weeks and will include both water and gas work.
- General work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
- Please use caution when driving through the area and pay attention to traffic detours.
- Parking will be restricted in certain areas. “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance.
- Pedestrian access and access to abutting properties will be maintained. Pedestrians should follow posted signs which may direct them onto temporary walkways at times. All temporary walkways will be ADA accessible.
- City service vehicles will continue uninterrupted and emergency vehicles will always have access.
For Information and Assistance During Construction
Cambridge DPW staff will be on-site during this work and will be available to respond to questions and concerns.
For questions about The Port Infrastructure Improvements Project, please contact Kristen Kelleher, DPW Community Relations Manager at (617) 349-4825 or kkelleher@cambridgema.gov. More information about the project in general can be found at www.cambridgema.gov/ThePort
In case of a construction emergency, please call the Cambridge Public Works Department 24-hour hotline at 617-349-4800.
Construction Notice: Clement Morgan Park Soil Testing - January 24-26, 2024
Clement Morgan Park is being redesigned as part of the Port Infrastructure Improvements Project. As part of the design planning, engineers working for the City will be drilling test pits and installing monitoring wells in several locations around the park. This work will help the team better understand underground soil conditions. Areas where this testing takes place will be restricted.
Work will take place weather permitting.
- The park is OPEN during this work, but some areas will be restricted.
- Restricted areas are marked with cones and caution tape.
- The basketball court remains OPEN throughout testing/monitoring.
- The machinery used to perform this work may be loud.
- Work hours are 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.
- All holes will be refilled and the area cleared at the end of the drilling and installations.
Cambridge DPW staff will be on-site during this work and are available to respond to questions and concerns. In case of a construction emergency, call the Cambridge Public Works Department 24-hour hotline at 617-349-4800.
View the full flyer here.
Welcome to the Virtual Open House
Welcome to the virtual Port Infrastructure Improvements Project Open House. Learn about the project and view the updated design options for Clement Morgan Park and the street designs in the project area by clicking this link HERE.
Don’t forget to share your feedback for the park designs and street designs by clicking on the feedback link at the end of each section. Your feedback will help shape the final designs of these important spaces.
The Port Infrastructure Project Open House: November, 9th 2023
Join us on Thursday, November 9th, 5:30 pm - 8 pm at the Community Art Center | 119 Windsor St., Cambridge.
The Cambridge Department of Public Works invites you to attend our open house to learn about the Port Infrastructure Improvements Project and see the updated designs of streets and Clement Morgan Park.
The evening includes presentations, a chance to engage with project staff and plans, free pizza, kids’ activities, and more. Also, learn about the City’s stormwater management program and how you can become a stormwater steward
View the flyer for the event here.
Port Arts in the Park: October 14, 2023
The Cambridge Department of Public Works with Adius Arts Initiative & Everybody Gotta Eat Present: Arts in the Park 2023. View the flyer here.
Come by and learn about The Port Infrastructure Improvements Project and see future designs of the park and streets
All ages are welcome to attend there will be free food and events for all.
Port Park Party: June 20th, 2023
The Cambridge Department of Public Works invites you to a Park Party. On Tuesday June 20, 3-7pm at the Clement Morgan Park.
Come by to see and share ideas that enhance Clement Morgan Park and Paolillo Tot Lot as part of The Port Infrastructure Improvements Project. We want to hear from you!
Also Enjoy: Ice Cream, Activities, And More.
Free. All Ages Welcome
*Rain Date will be June 22nd
Construction Notice: Work Impacting Essex St Vehicle Access
Dear Port Neighbor:
As part of the Port Infrastructure Project, the City’s contractor D'Allessandro Corp. has been installing new water main piping along Harvard Street. This work will impact vehicular traffic on Essex Street for approximately 3 business days, starting on or about Thursday May 25, 2023.
What to expect during this construction:
- Vehicular access out of Essex Street onto Harvard Street will be blocked during working hours of 7 AM -3:30 PM. (7 AM - 1:00 PM on Friday May 26). Vehicles may travel “wrong-way” on Essex Street to exit onto Bishop Allen Drive, but we encourage residents to minimize these trips if possible.
- Pedestrian access and access to abutting properties will be maintained. Pedestrians should please follow posted signs which may direct them onto temporary walkways at times. All temporary walkways will be ADA accessible.
- We will be prohibiting parking in several locations in order to provide width for vehicles who may be going in opposite directions to pass each other. Drivers should pay careful attention to parking restrictions, which will be posted at least 24 hours in advance.
- Outside of the above working hours, including the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the road will be open for normal travel towards Harvard Street.
For Information and Assistance During Construction
Cambridge DPW staff will be on-site during this work and will be available to respond to questions and concerns.
For questions about The Port Infrastructure Improvements Project, please contact Kristen Kelleher, DPW Community Relations Manager at (617) 349-4825 or kkelleher@cambridgema.gov. More information about the project in general can be found at www.cambridgema.gov/ThePort
In case of a construction emergency, please call the Cambridge Public Works Department 24-hour hotline at 617-349-4800.
The Port Infrastructure Project: Virtual Open House Presentation Now Available
Dear Port Neighbor
Thursday, March 30th we held a virtual open house about Clement Morgan Park and proposed Shared Streets in the neighborhood. Presentation slides from the meeting are posted on our project website under the ‘documents’ tab. During the open house we heard some great ideas from community members and want to share additional ways to get involved:
Clement Morgan Park Survey: As part of the Port Infrastructure Project, we are working with community members to enhance public open spaces including Clement Morgan Park and the Paolillo Tot Lot. What would you keep or like to see changed in the park? Complete this survey and tell us what you think! See some initial ideas for improving Clement Morgan Park and share your ideas about the future of the park here: tinyurl.com/PortParkSurvey
Shared Streets Survey: We have heard from many residents who are excited about shared streets in the neighborhood. A "shared street" is a street where pedestrians are given priority and share the space with cyclists and low-speed motorists. Based on community feedback, we are considering shared street designs for several streets in The Port. Before we finish planning the street improvements, we want to hear your thoughts about shared streets in The Port. To view the designs for proposed Shared Streets in the neighborhood, click here. Share your feedback about the designs here: tinyurl.com/SharedStreetsPortSurvey.
In addition to the Port Infrastructure Project, we also wanted to make you aware of two other transportation initiatives for which the City is seeking input from residents of the Port:
Bluebikes Station Suggestion Map:
As Bluebikes has become one of the most popular ways to get around Cambridge, the need for new stations is always increasing. Our long-term goal is for all people in Cambridge to have a Bluebikes station a few blocks or less from where they live, work, shop, or play and we want to hear where you think Bluebikes stations would be most beneficial. The City has launched this suggestion map to help us identify where there is the most demand for new Bluebikes stations. On the map you can select areas in Cambridge where you would like to see a new Bluebikes station, show support for that area by "hearting" it, and add a comment on why a new station there would be helpful. You may suggest as many locations as you would like.
Main Street Safety Improvement Project:
Through the Main Street Safety Improvement Project, the City will add separated bike lanes to Main Street between Massachusetts Avenue and Portland Street, creating a more-comfortable bike connection between the Port and Central Square. Fill out the comment form to let us know your thoughts. Also use this comment map to tell us safety concerns you have, what elements of the street you like, where it's important to keep parking and loading.
Your feedback is important, and we want to hear from your neighbors too! Please help us spread the word and get more people involved by sharing this information with your neighbors. Thank you for your time and involvement!
- The Port Infrastructure Project Team
Share your feedback about Shared Streets in The Port: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MNVP7J7
Share your feedback about Clement Morgan Park: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KTT6WKN
Construction Notice: Eversource Electric & Cambridge Public Works resuming on Harvard Street
This notice is to inform you that work will be resuming on Harvard Street, between Prospect Street and Portland Street. There are two separate projects which will be taking place:
• Eversource Electric will be constructing new electrical conduits and manholes as part of an electric distribution upgrade.
• Cambridge DPW contractor D'Allessandro Corp. will be replacing the water main (the majority of which is nearly 150 years old), and performing minor drainage construction. This work is part of the larger Port Infrastructure Project. This City work is being performed ahead of other Port Infrastructure work so that it can be more closely coordinated with the Eversource project. (As per prior communications, the bulk of the Port Infrastructure construction is expected to occur in the 2024-2027 time frame.)
What to expect during this construction:
• The DPW work expected to start in the Windsor to Prospect section, during the week of March 27. The Eversource work will begin in the Windsor to Portland section starting in early April.
• The Eversource work is expected to be completed in summer 2023.
• The DPW work is expected to be completed in fall 2023.
• Work will primarily occur during normal weekday hours of 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Vehicle travel will be maintained on Harvard Street, but may need to be restricted to local abutters only at certain times, with "through" traffic being detoured. Please follow posted signs and the directions of on-site traffic officers.
• Pedestrian access and access to abutting properties will be maintained. Pedestrians should please follow posted signs which may direct them onto temporary walkways at times. All temporary walkways will be ADA accessible.
• On-street parking spaces will be impacted during this work. Drivers should pay careful attention to parking restrictions, which will be posted at least 24 hours in advance.
Water Service Impacts
• The water main replacement will require a temporary "bypass" water main to be laid on the surface of the street, next to the curb. Individual building services will be temporarily connected to this bypass line.
• After the new underground main is completed and tested, water services will be connected to the new main. We will also be replacing any existing lead or other non-copper water services, all the way to the water meter inside the building, at no cost to water customers.
• During this work it may be necessary to temporarily disconnect water services for a few daytime hours to facilitate upgrades to the water main. Any scheduled impacts to water service for direct abutters in this area will be communicated via separate notice.
For Information and Assistance During Construction
• The Eversource Electric work will be performed by their contractor Riley Brothers, Inc. and will be under the direct supervision of Eversource. Please contact Keith.Sonia@eversource.com (781) 720-9726 with questions or concerns. Cambridge DPW staff will also be on-site during this work and will be available to respond to questions and concerns.
• For the water and drainage work, Cambridge DPW and consultant staff will be on-site. Questions and concerns can be directed to on-site staff, or to Kristen Kelleher (see below).
For questions about The Port Infrastructure Improvements Project, please contact Kristen Kelleher, DPW Community Relations Manager at (617) 349-4825 or kkelleher@cambridgema.gov. More information about the project in general can be found at www.cambridgema.gov/ThePort
In case of a construction emergency, please call the Cambridge Public Works Department 24-hour hotline at 617-349-4800.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this construction.